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S1200SPL (DBS1200SPL) - Questions about technical specifications

JJoha1
Novice
4,457 Views

Hi,

I hope I'm posting my questions in the right location, I am about to purchase a couple of S1200SPL (DBS1200SPL) boards.

Curiously these are the only motherboards on the entire market that fit absolutely every single hardware criterion I have - unfortunately I was unable to find some technical details about this model, I already checked the following pages:

http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/server-products/server-boards/single-socket-server-boards/intel-server-board-s1200sp-family/intel-server-board-s1200spl.html Intel® Server Board S1200SPL

1) Does this motherboard support the Core i3-6100 CPU? I was only able to locate i3-6300T and i3-6320 on the lists but it would be rather strange if the UEFI of a motherboard by the CPU's manufacturer itself would only support select 6th-generation Core i3 CPUs (that are in the same TDP class).

2) Some of the motherboards are to be used in workstation systems that are not running 24/7, does the UEFI support:

a) S3 - Suspend to RAM

b) S4 - Hibernate

c) "Deep Sleep" in S4+S5, also known as "EuP/ErP ready"

3) Since the model seems to be EOL - are there any details about a sucessor that also supports Kaby Lake CPUs?

Thank you very much for your help!

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24 Replies
idata
Employee
1,567 Views

Hello Johannes,

 

 

Regarding your questions:

 

 

1) The Core i3-6100 CPU is not listed as validated for this board.

 

 

The board supports only the processors listed in the following link:

 

 

http://ark.intel.com/products/88263/Intel-Server-Board-S1200SPL# @compatibility http://ark.intel.com/products/88263/Intel-Server-Board-S1200SPL# @compatibility

 

 

 

2) S3 and S4 is not supported on this board, you can check this on page 43 of the http://www.intel.com/content/dam/support/us/en/documents/server-products/S1200SP_TPS_R1_1_S1200SPL_S1200SPS_S1200SPO.pdf technical product specifications

 

 

S5 is supported and also will be on the same page on the document above.

 

 

3) So far we do not have details about an entry level server board supporting the Kaby Lake CPUs

 

 

Let us know if you need further assistance.

 

 

Regards,

 

 

Esteban V.
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JJoha1
Novice
1,567 Views

Thank you for your past response - I wanted to ask about Kaby Lake CPU compatibility with the latest firmware for the S1200SPL:

If you check the release notes at the latest firmware's download page, Kaby Lake CPUs are mentioned.

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/26665/Intel-Server-Board-S1200SP-Firmware-Update-Package-for-EFI?product=88263 Download Intel® Server Board S1200SP Firmware Update Package for EFI

However it seems that the S1200SPL's compatibility site has not been updated yet.

Would you be so kind as to check if the motherboard in fact supports LGA 1151 Kaby Lake CPus with the latest firmware installed?

Thanks again for the assistance!

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idata
Employee
1,567 Views

Hello Johannes,

 

 

Thank you for the update and information. I will check with our engineering depart to ensure with the BIOS update your Kabylake CPU will work and to also send the correct information to the compatibility web site with the update on CPU. Please allow us some time to ensure the information gets process.

 

 

Best regards,

 

 

Henry A.
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David_A_Intel
Moderator
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JBBG

Thank you for the feedback, I can confirm that the board supports the newer Intel(R) Xeon(R) V6 series processors. You can find more information on the following article.

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/server-products/000023589.html Comparing the Intel® Server Board S1200SP with non-"R" and with "R" (Refresh) Families

You can also find more information in our https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/server-products/000017644.html Technical Product Specifications for the board.

Best regards,

David A.

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idata
Employee
1,567 Views

Hi @JBBG

 

 

Feel free to reach out to our support team if you have any additional questions. I hope the information provided answered your questions.

 

 

Regards,

 

David A.
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JJoha1
Novice
1,567 Views

Thanks again for your feedback.

Maybe it would make sense to update the compatibility website so that these details are a little easier to find.

I got two additional questens:

1) Is the current firmware/UEFI/ME version vulnerable to the severe remote hijacking issue?

https://arstechnica.com/security/2017/05/intel-patches-remote-code-execution-bug-that-lurked-in-cpus-for-10-years/ Intel patches remote hijacking vulnerability that lurked in chips for 7 years | Ars Technica

The firmware release is dated January 16th, 2017, so it might not have the latest fixes? If so, when can you expect an updated firmware/UEFI release?

2) Is there going to be a firmware/UEFI update that permanently addresses the Skylake and Kaby Lake Hyper-Threading bug?

https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/06/skylake-kaby-lake-chips-have-a-crash-bug-with-hyperthreading-enabled/ Skylake, Kaby Lake chips have a crash bug with hyperthreading enabled | Ars Technica

So far you have to use microcode updates supplied by a Linux distribution to avoid this bug - a temporary fix that vanishes when rebooting or using an OS that doesn't get these updates.

I'd appreciate any updates on these issues!

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idata
Employee
1,567 Views

Hello Johannes,

 

 

The information on the compatibility web site has been send and they are working on the proper information for it.

 

On the New BIOS update release date, I am afraid at this moment there is no ETA for it, and for the Skylake and Kaby Lake Hyper-Threading bug, Intel at this moment is the testing stage on the error reported. At the proper time Intel will post a communication related to the information. Please keep accessing the Intel web site for any update.

 

If there is anything else we can help please let me know or if we can close the forum please let us know.

 

 

Best regards,

 

 

Henry A.
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JJoha1
Novice
1,567 Views

Since both the AMT remote hijacking issue and the Skylake/Kaby Lake SMT bugs are currently unresolved I'd appreciate it if this thread was left open and you respond to it when an UEFI/firmware update arrives.

This way I'd get an email notification about this crucial update and other customers with these motherboards that actively search online for a solution for the mentioned critical issues will easily find this thread and instantly know which exact firmware/UEFI version is going to address this.

(To be honest I find the Intel product download/support websites not very intuitive to use)

Again, thank you very much for your efforts!

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idata
Employee
1,567 Views

Hello Johannes,

 

 

No problem, I will keep the case open. But normally with any updates are normally posted on the web site for all our clients to have access to. Information was send to engineering for a possible ETA on any of the solutions.

 

 

Best regards,

 

 

Henry A.
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idata
Employee
1,567 Views

Hello Johannes,

 

 

We are still waiting on the updates. I will proceed on closing the case and as soon as the update is available we will send you an confirmation.

 

 

Best regards,

 

 

Henry A.
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JJoha1
Novice
1,567 Views

Has the Skylake/Kaby Lake SMT issue been addressed in the latest firmware dated July 4th, 2017?

The release notes mention:

"Microcode update versions:

CPUID Version Status

0x506E3 000000BA Debug(Skylake UP R0/S0)

0x906E9 0000005E Debug(Kabylake B0)"

Cp. https://downloadcenter.intel.com/de/download/26908/Intel-Server-Board-S1200SP-Firmware-Update-Paket-f-r-EFI?product=88263 Download Intel® Server Board S1200SP Firmware-Update-Paket für EFI

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idata
Employee
1,567 Views

Hello JBBG ,

According to https://downloadmirror.intel.com/26908/eng/ReleaseNotes_BIOS_R03.01.0021.txt Release notes the processors supported are:

 

Skylake/Kabylake UP Processor.

Microcode update versions:

 

CPUID Version Status

 

0x506E3 000000BA Debug(Skylake UP R0/S0)

 

0x906E9 0000005E Debug(Kabylake B0)

On-Board Component Option ROM Versions:

 

all_gigabit_pxe_vxx.LOM - 1G PXE OpROM v1.5.53 (for all EPSD gigabit controllers, including LOMs and I/O modules)

 

all_iscsi_vxx.LOM - iSCSI Boot OpROM v3.0.34(for all EPSD gigabit and 10G EPSD controllers, including LOMs and I/O modules)

 

AHCIOR.BIN - sata AHCI Oprom

 

Vbt.bin - iGFX graphic UEFI driver VBT file, VBT version 193

 

MATROXVIDEOOPROM.BIN - Onbaord VGA legacy Oprom v3.8SQ

 

ACM : V0.8

 

RSTe SATA Legacy OPROM : V4.3.0.1018

 

RSTe SATA EFI OPROM : V4.3.0.1018

 

ESRTII Legacy OPROM : A.15.08211538I

 

ESRTII EFI OPROM : 04050000

 

1G NIC Legacy PXE OPROM: V1.5.53.1

 

1G NIC EFI PXE OPROM : V5.4.19

 

iSCSI OPROM : V3.0.34

 

iBMC Matrox G200 VGA : V3.8SQ

 

iGFX Legacy : 9.0.1027

 

iGFX UEFI Driver : 9.0.1033

 

RC Version : V4.1.0.4

 

Security Revision : 02.00

 

Management Engine Firmware Version : v04.01.03.021

Let me look for more detailed information about the status of this issue and if it was completely addressed by this release.

Best regards,

 

Caesar B.
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JJoha1
Novice
1,567 Views

Did you find something out regarding the CPU bug fixes of firmware package version 03.01.0021?

New development:

I just built a the first testing system with a Kaby Lake CPU (Xeon E3-1245 v6, new board S1200SPLR with firmware package version 03.01.0021) and noticed the following issues:

1) No Speed Shift support

Why does a board by the CPU's manufacturer not support all of the CPU's features? There is no option for Speed Shift in the BIOS and it's not active by default (checked with Windows 10 1703 and HWiNFO, cp. the red "SST" in the attached screenshot)

2) CPU is not reducing its multiplier to 8 during idle operation

In the BIOS, the CPU is set to "Power" mode (most energy-saving), all P- and C-States are enabled. Yet, in Windows 10 with absolutely no load (switching between energy-saving profiles in Windows doesn't change a thing), the multiplier is mostly between the range of 10-12, if I let the system sit for an hour the lowest multiplier is 9 and that only for a very short period of time. From other C236 systems I'm used to it being at a constant 8 without any or little load, here it nervously changes between 10 and 12.

During this test no ethernet cables are connected, the only components attached to the board is a display, USB keyboard and mouse and a single SATA SSD.

3) Latest chipset drivers are dated in the year 1968?!

The latest public chipset driver package (10.1.2.86) is dated July 18th, 1968. Can you clarify why this is? Even worse, the previous drivers from the package 10.1.2.85 are dated something something in 1970, so you cannot easily update the drivers from 10.1.2.85 to 10.1.2.86 since Windows considers the .85 drivers to be newer according to their date stamps.

*Edit*: Just saw the forum thread stating this is supposed to be symbolic since Intel was founded on that date. ...

4) Integrated HD Graphics and DisplayPort out - no sound?!

For me, this is the most crucial issue. The feature that led me to choose this type of board was a DisplayPort video out for the Intel HD Graphics, since this way you can use it to display HDCP 2.2 copy-protected content with a Kaby Lake CPU.

But, if you install the latest iGPU drivers (15.45.19.4678) you only get a graphics adapter and not a "Display Audio" device, so there's no sound output. To verify that the CPU is not at fault I installed it in a Supermicro C236 board and there DisplayPort sound output works immediately.

If this is normal, would it be possible to get a BIOS update with which the board doesn't limit the CPU's Intel HD Graphics P630 so that it can also be used for sound output when the board's DisplayPort out is connected to the Intel HD Graphics?

Again, thank you very much for your help! I hope that especially 4) gets addressed since this would lead to me cancelling the deployment of S1200SPL boards

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idata
Employee
1,567 Views

Hello Johannes,

 

 

Thank you for your update information. But the information on the BIOS is on the Release Notes. Also double checking your questions, the S1200SLR system board is an entery level for Small Business, which limits some of the functions on the BIOS. Also, the board and CPU will perform better using the Windows Server operating system. The use of Windows 10 might have limited control on the Xeon processors, best option will be to contact Microsoft on more detail information the usage of multiplier on Xeon processors. And for the audio output could be related to missing drivers, please download the full https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/25689/pGFX-Graphics-Driver-for-the-Intel-Server-Board-S1200SPL?product=97950 HD Graphics.

 

 

Best regards,

 

 

Henry A.
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JJoha1
Novice
1,567 Views

Hi,

thank you for responding so quickly.

1) As I mentioned in my posting # 11 the only thing the release notes mention is:

"Microcode update versions:

CPUID Version Status

0x506E3 000000BA Debug(Skylake UP R0/S0)

0x906E9 0000005E Debug(Kabylake B0)"

No further explanation. Are these bug fixes addressing the SMT issue? @Caesar B. wanted to check this but hasn't yet returned.

2) I cannot follow your logic regarding the lack of Speed Shift being "normal": Speed Shift is only available in S. 1151 CPUs therefore S. 1151 Skylake/Kaby Lake E3-Xeons are the only "Server" CPUs that can have this feature (at this point in time).

And S. 1151 Xeons can only be used in C232/C236 boards where the C236 chipset is supposed to have this platform's complete feature set.

This would lead to the conclusion that Intel itself would consider Speed Shift something useless albeit marketing it when it introduced the S 1151 Skylake platform.

3) I have to disagree with the statement that Windows 10 is at fault due to not utilising the Kaby Lake E3-Xeon properly. I took the S1200SPLR's CPU, memory modules and SATA SSD with the already installed Windows 10 Pro x64 1703 and installed in a Supermicro X11SAE-M motherboard and the system didn't even need to reboot before properly clocking down the 1245v6 to 800 MHz (cp. screenshot with HWMonitor). Speed Shift is also working.

4) The hardware moving test from 3) also showed that there is no DisplayPort audio driver missing. When booting on the X11SAE-M, Windows immediately installed the Display Audio device that is part of the Intel HD Graphics P630 driver package and this package was previously already properly installed on the S1200SPLR (cp. screenshots taken on the Supermicro X11SAE-M) - but no Display Audio device.

As mentioned in posting # 13 I used the latest P630 iGPU drivers (15.45.19.4678): Cp. https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/graphics-drivers/graphics-for-7th-generation-intel-processors/intel-hd-graphics-p630.html Support for Intel® HD Graphics P630

The package you linked is primarily for Windows 7 (and 8.1) and Skylake CPUs (cp. its release notes). Windows 7 and 8.1 are not supported when using a Kaby Lake CPU due to Microsoft's questionable politics to force Windows 10 onto users.

It seems you have been an innocent victim of the Intel support websites' intuitive and clearly structured layouts

I was also looking through the S1200SP family TPS and didn't find a note that the DisplayPort output of the S1200SPL/S1200SPLR is stripped of its audio out functionality.

Thanks again!

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idata
Employee
1,567 Views

Hello Johannes,

 

 

Thank you for your update information. But could please provide me with some additional information and I will try to recreate your set up:
  • S1200SPL – System Board
  • Xeon E3-1245 V6 Processor
  • Graphics – P630
  • How much memory and how is installed?
  • Type of screen bee use to connect the Display Port.
  • Which Windows Version is installed?

 

Thank you for the information and I will start the LAB to try and recreate your setup and provide you with a better answer.

 

 

Best regards,

 

 

Henry A.
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JJoha1
Novice
1,567 Views

Hello Henry,

thank you for keeping on trying to solve this issue.

My gut instinct says that the missing DisplayPort audio is due to the BIOS not presenting that component of the Intel HD Graphics as a device to an operating system - so every unit of the S1200SPL(R) will likely behave this way.

Quick system summary:

- S1200SPLR

 

- Xeon E3-1245 V6 Processor

- DIMM A2: Samsung 16 GiB DDR4-2400 ECC UDIMM (M391A2K43BB1-CRC)

- DIMM B2: Samsung 16 GiB DDR4-2400 ECC UDIMM (M391A2K43BB1-CRC)

- 1 SATA SSD (AHCI Mode in BIOS)

 

- Onboard VGA enabled (VGA out)

 

- Intel iGPU graphics enabled (DisplayPort out)

 

- BIOS Version: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/26908/Intel-Server-Board-S1200SP-Firmware-Update-Paket-f-r-EFI?product=88263 03.01.0021

 

- Chipset Drivers Version: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/26859/Intel-Server-Chipset-Driver-for-Windows-?product=97950 10.1.2.86

 

- Intel HD Graphics P630 Drivers Version: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/26836/Graphics-Intel-Graphics-Driver-for-Windows-15-45- 15.45.19.4678

 

- Onboard Video Driver Version: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/26508/Onboard-Video-Driver-for-Windows-Server-2016?product=97950 4.03.01.004

Operating system: Windows 10 Pro x64 Version 1703 (installed in Legacy BIOS mode from 1703 setup media, Windows Update patch level July 2017).

Tested 2 different DisplayPort targets (both with audio support):

- http://www1.la.dell.com/aw/en/corp/peripherals/dell-up2516d-monitor/pd.aspx?refid=dell-up2516d-monitor&s=corp Dell UP2516D - connected via a simple DP-DP cable

 

- https://www.denon.co.uk/uk/product/homecinema/avreceiver/avrx4200w DENON AVR-X4200W - connected via http://www.club-3d.com/en/detail/2366/displayportt_1.2_to_hdmit_2.0_uhd_active_adapter/ Club 3D DisplayPort 1.2 to HDMI 2.0 adapter CAC-1070 for HDCP 2.2 testing

Both work fine as Display Port audio devices with the Xeon E3-1245 V6's P630 graphics, verified on other C236 motherboards:

- https://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/Xeon/C236_C232/X11SAE-M.cfm Supermicro X11SAE-M

 

- https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P10S-WS/ ASUS P10S WS

I hope I could provide all necessary information and also that a BIOS update enabling DisplayPort audio out and maybe Speed Shift functionality is possible to get.

Thanks again for your efforts!

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idata
Employee
1,567 Views

Hello Johannes,

 

 

Thank you for the information provided. I going to gather the necessary hardware to recreate and provide you with a better answer.

 

Just to make sure the windows version you have install?

 

 

Best regards,

 

 

Henry A.
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JJoha1
Novice
1,567 Views

Hi,

as mentioned a few times I'm testing and comparing all the motherboards' features with the latest version of Windows 10 Pro x64 1703 (all Windows Updates installed as of July 2017 (current branch for business), Build 15063.483). For driver versions please refer to posting # 17.

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idata
Employee
1,439 Views

Hello Johannes,

 

 

Thank you for the information provided. I going to gather the necessary hardware to recreate and provide you with a better answer.

 

Just to make sure the windows version you have install?

 

 

Best regards,

 

 

Henry A.
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