I've been running my server (S5500HCV) with 1 x E5504 (SLBF9) and 6 x 2GB Kingston ECC Ram for a few months now - finally decided to go out and grab another CPU.

So I went and got another CPU exactly the same (SLBF9) and threw it in there; shared 3 x 2GB sticks from CPU1 to CPU2 so each CPU has the same type, model, size and count of RAM (3 x 2GB ea).

Except - when I hit the power button it beeps 1-5-4-2 (Power Supply Assert). Take the CPU out - all good. Put it back in - same thing.

Now it's a 700W power supply - and I did my research before I got it too, it performs well under load according to several reviews (FSP 700W Aurum Series). I also have the P8 power connector in for both the CPU's.

The system has this additional hardware:

• Mellanox Dual Port Infiniband-4X PCIe Card
• Intel Dual Port Ethernet NIC
• HP SAS Controller (P410)
• Intel SAS Controller (RS2WC080)
• 1 x 64GB SSD (OS)
• 1 x 120GB 2.5" (OS Backup)
• 4 x 2TB 3.5" SATA
• 2 x 1TB 3.5" SATA

So I unplugged all the large sata drives (6 x 3.5") and take out the RAID controllers to test if it's a real power issue - but same thing, and I refuse to accept that the extra CPU drains the equivalent of 6 x 3.5" Enterprise HDDs and both HBAs on power-up....

Anyone have any ideas on what the real issue is?