IBM x3850 X6 Planning And Implementation Manual page 121

When the need arises to upgrade the server to six or eight processors, simply purchase more
Compute Books with the same processor model, plus additional power supplies (as
determined by using the Power Configurator), I/O Books, adapters and drives as needed.
Upgrading your 4-socket x3850 X6 using an RPQ
With this option, you do not have to plan for 8-socket capacity up front. You start with an
x3850 X6, then when you are ready to upgrade to a 6-socket or 8-socket server, you
purchase an upgrade offering via an IBM Techline RPQ.
As part of the RPQ, an IBM service engineer comes onsite with the new mechanical chassis
and performs the field upgrade by transferring all components to the new chassis. This
method also requires the x3850 X6 Compute Books to be the same E7-8800 v2 processors
as ordered for the RPQ, however, in this scenario, the server maintains the original serial
number.
Use of E7-4800 v2 processors: Intel Xeon E7-4800 v2 processors cannot be used in an
x3950 X6. If your x3850 X6 has Compute Books with E7-4800 v2 processors, then these
must be replaced with Compute Books with E7-8800 v2 processors if you plan to upgrade
to an x3950 X6. The memory in the Compute Books can be reused in the x3950 X6,
however.
For this method, contact IBM Techline in your country for assessment and pricing. The
existing x3850 X6 configuration will be evaluated and advice will be provided based on the
workload requirements.
The primary part number for the upgrade is the 4U-2-8U Upgrade Option, 44X4058, however,
additional part numbers will be required. All the components in the option package will be
installed in the top portion of the chassis. The 4U system's components will be transferred to
the bottom section of the chassis.
Even though this upgrade requires a new 8U chassis replacing the existing 4U chassis, the
majority of internal components can be moved from the x3850 X6 to the x3950 X6.
These x3850 X6 components can be migrated to the x3950 X6 as part of the RPQ upgrade:
Compute Books, provided that they use Intel Xeon E7-8800 v2 processors
All memory DIMMs
Storage Book
All internal drives
Primary I/O Book (and associated fans)
Half-length I/O Books
Full-length I/O Books
All adapters
All power supplies
The RPQ upgrade includes these parts:
New 8U chassis and 8-socket midplane
A second Storage Book
A second Primary I/O Book
The RPQ upgrade may also require new parts:
Additional Compute Books (a minimum of four Compute Books required in the x3950 X6)
Additional power supplies (a minimum of four are required in the x3950 X6)
Additional I/O Books, network adapters, drives as needed
Chapter 3. Product information
105