On Sunday, I replaced the CPUs in r730-01 with something quite a bit more powerful. I have been thinking about doing this since before this September blog post:
The answer was: Yes, I can.
See also the next post: Using powerd++ to reduce power consumption on a Dell R730
In this post:
- FreeBSD 14
- LibreNMS 24.1.0
- 2x E5-2650LV3 (old CPUs)
- 2x E5-2699V3 (new CPUs
- https://amzn.to/3SkUB6M <== As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
I live tweeted this stuff, but purposely did not do a reply-chain. You’ll have to scroll back through my tweets to find it on Sunday January 28 2024.
After cleaning four CPUs, I found the better approach was to remove them from the M/B first, and then wipe from the edge to the middle. The paste came off easily. I used the isopropyl alcohol by putting a small amount onto a paper towel and then wiping.
My initial removal was without removing the CPU. That left some thermal paste bits on the M/B. I remove them carefully with one of those cotton buds.
After watching some videos, I decided on an X pattern.
Really, what I should do I remove one of those CPUs and check the results. Just so I know. Perhaps it’s not enough paste, perhaps too much.
The results
CPU temperatures are up. On CPU1 by about 15C and on CPU2 by about 14C.
The relative changes are consistent.
I don’t know if this is my thermal paste job, or the difference between E5-2650LV3 and E5-2699V3.
This shows the current used by the UPS.
It goes from about 6A (720W) to about 7A (840W) – so roughly 120W more used.
It goes from about 6A (720W) to about 7A (840W) – so roughly 120W more used.
How much faster?
The new CPUs are 40% faster at building my package repo via poudriere.
Before: 3:16 via a pair of E5-2650Lv3
After: 1:56 via a pair of E5-2699v3
EDIT 2024-02-01 – after enabling reduced power consumption, I ran the above test again.
That test took 2:26 so 30 minutes longer, or 40 minutes less, depending on your view.
At what cost?
Is it worth 120W (or 86.4 kWh a month)?
86.4 * (0.08192 + 0.08060+ 0.00857) = $14.78 a month
Or $178.38 a year.
How often do I need to wait for a whole build?
I have to think about this.
