HP Z820 Workstation - Frequently Asked Questions

Enhancements for this generation of HP’s High End workstation include:

• Processors
  New Intel Xeon processors will be introduced along with Intel’s new C600 chipset: E5-2600 Series (Sandy Bridge-EP) are the new Intel Xeon processors.
  The HP Z820 is projected to introduce with a broad array of Intel Xeon E5-2600 Series (Sandy Bridge-EP) processors. At the introduction of the HP Z820 (estimated CQ4 2011), the expected frequencies for the E5-2600 Series processors range from 1.8 GHz to 3.3 GHz.
  Intel is employing a new architecture for the Sandy Bridge-EP processors. The primary change is that the processors provide PCI Express connections. For the E5-2600 processors these PCIe connections employ the third-generation of PCIe and are provided directly from the processor. The new processors also provide dual Quick Path Interconnects (QPI) between the processors increasing the processor-to-processor communication speeds for dual processor systems.
  The new Sandy Bridge-EP (E5-2600 Series) processors, which will be branded Intel Xeon will support the following features:
  • 40 lanes of PCIe Gen 3 I/O (for each processor)
    For the HP Z820, the 1st processor will provide two PCIe3 x16 slots and one PCIe3 x4 slot. The 2nd HP Z820 processor will provide one PCIe3 x16 slot and one PCIe3 x8 slot
  • Turbo Mode (allows processor to run faster under certain conditions)
  • Intel Hyper-Threading Technology
  • 32 nm Silicon Process Technology
  • 2.5M of Last-Level (L3) Cache per core
  • 6.4 GT/s, 7.2 GT/s and 8.0 GT/s QPI links
    The speed of the QPI is dependent on processor frequency.
  • 80 W, 95 W, 115W, 130 W, 135 W and 150 W parts
  • Integrated DDR3 memory controller
  • 4 channel 1066-MHz, 1333-MHz or 1600-MHz DDR3 memory subsystem
    Memory frequency is dependent on processor frequency.
  • 512GB memory capacity
    2.7x improvement over the HP Z800 (maximum memory offered on HP Z800 is 192GB)
• Core Chipset
  The HP Z820 Workstation is based on Intel’s new C600 series (Patsburg) chipset. The new C600 series chipset supports the following new features (compared to the HP Z800):
  • Quick Path Interconnect (QPI). Up to 8 GT/s throughput
    25% improvement over the HP Z800
  • Additional (to that provided by the processor(s) ) PCI Express Gen 2 I/O
    In addition to the PCIe3 I/O provided by the E5-2600 processors, the HP Z820 has 1 PCIe Gen2 x4 slot and 1 Legacy PCI (32-bit/33 MHz) slot.
  • 2 channels of Serial ATA 6 Gb/s interface
    2x the available throughput of the channels provided on the HP Z800
  • 4 channels of Serial ATA 3 Gb/s interface
  • 8 channels of 6 Gb/s Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) interface provided by an LSI SAS2308 controller (outside the C600 chipset)
    • 2x the available throughput per channel as provided on the HP Z800.
    • Same number of SAS channels as the HP Z800.
    • The HP Z820 allows for all 8 SAS channels to be available externally, when configured with the external cable assembly(ies).

The HP Z820 Workstation is HP’s new, Intel Xeon-based, high-end personal workstation and replaces the current HP Z800 Workstation platform. The design philosophy for the HP Z820 continues to be the same as its predecessor: to create a platform with industry leadership in all aspects of expandability, performance and product design.

The HP Z820 Workstation is sold on the Web, via distributor/VARs (indirect/direct channels), and HP sales force.

The HP Z820 Workstation will compete against other vendors Intel Xeon -based workstations. The HP Z820 is a highly expandable, rack mountable box, with the latest, high-performance, I/O technologies for ultimate performance. Only HP can provide the breadth of products that users require in the form of Windows and Linux. The HP Z820 Workstation will continue HP’s tradition of outstanding quality and thorough ISV qualification. Users will be able to deploy HP Z820 Workstations into their mission-critical design, analysis, and content creation environments knowing that HP is there to support them after the initial purchase.

The HP Z820 can support processors with power up to 150 W, so it has a broader processor offering.

CPU upgrades are field and user installable without system board swaps using the HP Z Workstations CPU upgrade kit. The second processor must be the same speed and stepping as the first.

RHEL 4 is not supported on new HP Workstations models. SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop (SLED) 11 is available on all workstations except for the HP Z620 and HP Z820; however, it is supported on all workstations.

Intel multi-core processors provide greater processing resources. Multi-core processors are ideal for usage models requiring multi-tasking (running many applications or simulations at once); working on spreadsheets while listening to music with virus checkers and system backups running (power office); or using applications that can split a task across processors (multi-threaded), like animation/rendering in Digital Content Creation.

No, the system will have unique AMO processor kits, as the Z820 does not require the "2nd CPU & Memory Module" that is required for adding a 2nd processor to the HP Z620.

HP Liquid cooling is offered on both the HP Z420 and HP Z820. This liquid cooling solution will be implemented for the processors only.

Find additional information on the Liquid Cooling option in the "Increasing Thermal Efficiency with Liquid Cooling" and "Liquid Cooling on the HP Z800 Workstations" whitepapers.

DVD-ROM, DVD+/-RW Super-Multi and Slot-Load, Blu-ray Writer, optional 22-in-1 Media Card Reader

note:

As Blu-ray is a new format containing new technologies, certain disc, digital connection, compatibility and/or performance issues may arise, and do not constitute defects in the product. Flawless playback on all systems is not guaranteed. In order for some Blu-ray titles to play, they may require a DVI or HDMI digital connection and the display may require HDCP support. HD-DVD movies cannot be played on this workstation.

Yes.

Up to (5) 3.5-inch 7200 rpm SATA drives7: 250, 500GB, 1, 2TB, and up to (4) 3TB; 14TB max; Up to (6) 2.5-inch SATA solid state drives: 160, 300GB; 1.8TB max

Yes. The chipset used on the HP Z Workstations has an integrated 6-channel SATA controller with RAID support for RAID 0 (striped), RAID 1 (mirrored), RAID 5 (parity), and RAID 10 (striped and mirrored). We can choose to have a high performance RAID 0 array of hard drives where data is striped across multiple hard drives (this RAID method greatly improves data access times and system performance). We can choose to have a highly reliable RAID 1 array of hard drives, where data is duplicated to multiple hard drives at once (this RAID method creates a backup copy of all the data in real time). We can choose to implement a RAID 5 array, which protects against data loss and provides faster throughput. Data is distributed across at least two hard disks, with error correction information stored on an additional disk. Finally, we can choose to implement a RAID 10 array, which offers the advantages of RAID 0 and RAID 1 by utilizing four hard disks.

Large data RAID arrays greater than 2TB can now be configured on HP Z Workstations. These data RAID arrays are in addition to the Boot disk.

• RAID 0: 12TB max
• RAID 5: 9TB max (Connected to high end SAS Controller or on-board SATA controller)

We offer a wide selection of SAS disk drives and controllers. The faster spindle speeds (15K rpm) and the high bandwidth controllers (3.0 Gb/s) result in very fast access to the data. We offer two different PCIe SAS controllers: an entry 4-channel SAS controller with basic hard drive connectivity/control and RAID functionality, and a full-featured 8-channel SAS controller with an external connector and comprehensive RAID functionality. We offer the following SAS drives:

• Up to (5) 3.5-inch 15K rpm SAS drives: 300, 450, 600GB, 3TB max
• Up to (6) 2.5-inch 10K rpm SAS drives: 300, 600GB; 3.6TB max

Up to (5) 2.5-inch SATA solid state drives: Up to (5) 128, 160, 300GB; 1.5TB max

All current HP Workstations (HP Z1, HP Z210 CMT, HP Z210 SFF, HP Z420, HP Z620, and HP Z820) support DASH 1.1 manageability via the onboard Intel LAN. Additionally, these workstations feature Intel vProTM Technology when configured with the appropriate processor. These technologies, along with a manageability software solution or console, provide the ability to remotely manage these workstations. Remote management of HP Workstations platforms is recommended by HP on LANDesk Management Suite, but these platforms have also been tested on major software solutions including Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager and Altiris Client Management Suite.

• Padlock support (padlock optional)
• Cable Lock support (cable optional)
• Serial, parallel, USB enable/disable
• Removable media write/boot control
• Power-on password
• Setup password
• Kensington cable lock (optional)
• Chassis intrusion sensor (optional)

The standard warranty for HP Personal Workstations is 3-3-3 limited warranty (three years parts, three years labor, and three years next business day on-site).

note:

HP Care Pack Services extend service contracts beyond the standard warranties. Service starts from date of hardware purchase. Click here to choose the right level of service for your HP product, use the HP Care Pack Services Lookup Tool.

Click here to access additional HP Care Pack Services information by product. Service levels and response times for HP Care Packs may vary depending on your geographic location.