Intel Xeon E5430
Runs in an LGA 775 board only with the adapter sticker, the socket tabs removed and BIOS support for its core. How the mod works.
Intel Xeon E5430: 4-core, 2.66 GHz, Harpertown, LGA 771, 1333 MT/s FSB, 12 MB (2 x 6 MB) L2, 80 W TDP.
Middle of the 80 W Harpertown range, the E5430 runs 2.66 GHz from a 1333 MT/s bus and an 8x multiplier. Each of its two dies has 6 MB of L2, so 12 MB in all, a lot of cache for an LGA 775 board. The 45 nm process adds SSE4.1, which some newer software expects, and VT-x covers virtual machines. Enhanced SpeedStep is listed. Intel's launch quarter is Q4 2007; steppings are C0 SLANU with CPUID 10676 and E0 SLBBK with 1067A. With an 80 W TDP and a 67 °C Tcase, a mid-size tower cooler is the right class.
| Family | Xeon |
|---|---|
| Codename | Harpertown |
| Socket | LGA 771 |
| Cores / threads | 4 / 4 |
| Base clock | 2.66 GHz |
| Front-side bus | 1333 MT/s (333 MHz base clock) |
| Multiplier | 8x |
| L2 cache | 12 MB (2 x 6 MB) |
| TDP | 80 W |
| Process | 45 nm |
| Launch | Q4 2007 |
| Dual-socket capable | Yes |
| VT-x | Yes |
| SSE4.1 | Yes |
| Enhanced SpeedStep | Yes |
| Max case temperature | 67 °C |
| Voltage range (VID) | 0.85 V to 1.35 V |
Steppings and microcode IDs
| Stepping | CPUID | sSpec |
|---|---|---|
| C0 | 10676 | SLANU |
| E0 | 1067A | SLBBK |
A BIOS needs a microcode update matching the CPUID (and, for Xeons, the LGA 771 platform ID). See LGA 771 Xeon microcode and how to read your stepping.
Mod notes
Closest LGA 775 desktop chip: Core 2 Quad Q8400 (2.66 GHz, 1333 MT/s, 4 MB (2 x 2 MB)). A board that lists it is the best sign it can run the Xeon E5430.
Check that the board already runs 45 nm Yorkfield quads, then sticker the CPU, cut the two tabs out of the socket, and add microcode for 10676 and 1067A with the LGA 771 platform ID. Work with the PC unplugged and a wrist strap on; a static zap can damage a chip that has survived this long.
Check a specific board with the LGA 771 to 775 compatibility checker.