Hello: (This website is requiring a new topic after 2 weeks on inactivity, but this is a continuation.)
I received good advice from SDH and DGroves. SDH asked for an update, and I have a couple follow-up questions.
The CPU upgrade went well: I added two xeon 5160 cpus, and one new (to me) heatsink. No problem with the install, and the new parts are working well. If you are interested, I benchmarked the new parts for comparison with the old ones. Let me know if you'd like to see the numbers (the benchmark apps I used are for linux, so may not be meaningful to windows experience users.) Generally, the workstation is performing better than with the original single xeon 5140, and the first upgrade to a single xeon 5345. Overall: 8 benchmarks got better, 2 got worse, 2 were the same.
Am now looking to add RAM and an SSD, and would appreciate additional suggestions:
1. RAM. DGroves suggested using 8 gb ram sticks. Will those work? (8 gb sticks would free up memory slots, if they work.) SDH wrote in 2016 that 8 gb sticks may not work in some xw8400s because of the memory controller. (Seehttps://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Business-PCs-Workstations-and-Point-of-Sale-Systems/8GB-Memory-Modules-for-xw8400-xw8600/td-p/5503249.) Most of the vendors I've seen sell 4 gb sticks, but one sells 8 gb.
2. SDH recommended Elpida or Samsung sticks. The ebay vendors I've seen don't advertise which brand they sell -- they say "unbranded." I wrote to ask the vendor what brand(s) they sell -- no response. (Btw, that is the best price I've found -- $1.25 per gb.) Would you steer clear of unbranded ram? You may have a better idea how to search ebay -- suggestions to get better results are welcome.
3. SSD. SDH recommended Intel series 320 SSD. There are lower prices for offbrand SSD. E.g. this one. Do you have an opinion about/experience with offbrand SSD? Also, will an SSD drive connect with the same cables as existing HDDs?
Much obliged for your help!