We know that Z420/620 with a boot block date of 2011 support the E5 v1 processors while those with the bootblock date of 2013 support both E5 v1 and v2 processors. The precise processors recommended / endorsed by HP are contained in the quick spec documents for each machine
Bearing in mind that the bios image file is the same for both the Z420 and Z620, it is my assumption is that all processors contained in the Z620 quickspecs will also run on the Z420, of course taking into account the respective boot block date issue. It has been confirmed that amongst others the E5-2660, E5-2670, E5-2680 and E5-2690 -listed in the Z620 quick specs - work fine in the Z420. Any thoughts or information to the contrary?
Also had a look at the latest Z420 /620 bios image - v.3.91. It contains the following microcode:
CPUID=306E4 Rev=427 2014/04/10 CRC=A73DF352 Off=580060 Size=3000 Plat=0,2,3,5,6,7
CPUID=206D7 Rev=710 2013/06/17 CRC=30EAA2E5 Off=583060 Size=4400 Plat=0,2,3,5,6
CPUID=206D6 Rev=61A 2013/01/25 CRC=BC4B0272 Off=587860 Size=4000 Plat=0,2,3,5,6
CPUID=206D5 Rev=513 2011/10/13 CRC=BDB805CB Off=58B860 Size=4800 Plat=0,2,3,5,6
CPUID refers to a family of CPU's and not one particular CPU. 306E4 is the ID for the Ivy Bridge Xeon E5 v2 line with the CPU's listed here: http://www.intel.co.uk/content/dam/www/public/us/en/documents/specification-updates/xeon-e5-v2-spec-update.pdf -does this imply that all these CPU's will work in the Z420?
FYI in comparison Bios versions pre 3.50 (e.g. version 1.23) do not have the 306E4 microcode.
