Intel S2600IP Technical Product Specification - Page 36

Functional Architecture Intel® Server Board S2600IP and Intel® Workstation Board W2600CR TPS 3.1.2 Processor Population Rules Note: Although the server board does support dual-processor configurations consisting of different processors that meet the defined criteria below, Intel does not perform validation testing of this configuration. For optimal system performance in dual-processor configurations, Intel recommends that identical processors be installed. When using a single processor configuration, the processor must be installed into the processor socket labeled "CPU_1". When two processors are installed, the following population rules apply:  Both processors must be of the same processor family.  Both processors must have the same number of cores.  Both processors must have the same cache sizes for all levels of processor cache memory.  Processors with different core frequencies can be mixed in a system, given the prior rules are met. If this condition is detected, all processor core frequencies are set to the lowest common denominator (highest common speed) and an error is reported.  Processors which have different QPI link frequencies may operate together if they are otherwise compatible and if a common link frequency can be selected. The common link frequency would be the highest link frequency that all installed processors can achieve.  Processor stepping within a common processor family can be mixed as long as it is listed in the processor specification updates published by Intel Corporation. 3.1.3 Processor Initialization Error Summary The following table describes mixed processor conditions and recommended actions for all Intel® server boards and Intel server systems designed around the Intel® Xeon® processor E52600 product family and Intel® C600 chipset product family architecture. The errors fall into one of the following three categories:  Fatal: If the system can boot, it pauses at a blank screen with the text "Unrecoverable fatal error found. System will not boot until the error is resolved" and "Press to enter setup", regardless of whether the "Post Error Pause" setup option is enabled or disabled. When the operator presses the key on the keyboard, the error message is displayed on the Error Manager screen, and an error is logged to the System Event Log (SEL) with the POST Error Code. The system cannot boot unless the error is resolved. The user needs to replace the faulty part and restart the system. For Fatal Errors during processor initialization, the System Status LED will be set to a steady Amber color, indicating an unrecoverable system failure condition.  Major: If the "Post Error Pause" setup option is enabled, the system goes directly to the Error Manager to display the error, and logs the POST Error Code to SEL. Operator 22 Revision 1.1 Intel order number G34153-003