HP Z600 V2 Gaming Computer
The HP Z600 V2 Workstation has all the base components to be converted in to a solid gaming computer. HP Z600's are a dual socket Xeon based workstations. The Z600 V2 supports up to 96GB of DDR3 memory and 2 Internal SAS/SATA Hard Drives. It is important to note that it has an standard 600W Power Supply, which limits the Graphics Cards that you can install. Let us show you how you can build an effective HP Z600 V2 Gaming PC.
How do I check to see if my HP Z600 is a V1 or V2?
Open your side panel and check your system board PN.
Version 1 has system board PN: 461439-001 (460840-002)
Version 2 has system board PN: 591184-001 (460864-003)
Where to buy?
If you haven't already acquired a HP Z600 Workstation we'd recommend checking out a company called Serverworlds. They sell the Z600's cheap and they provide free ground shipping to the lower 48 states. You can also try to snag them cheap on Ebay. However, Ebay can be a bit of a gamble because you never know what you are going to get.
The goal is to purchase the Z600 with a good processor(s) and memory already installed and then you can source the graphics cards, hard drives, and other optional components from other sources.
What Processor(s) should I get?
High Clock speed cpu's are the way to go.
In most cases you can get by with a single processor listed below. If you plan to stream your gaming on youtube or twitch, we recommend getting 2 processors.
Recommended Processors:
Up to 2 x 6C Xeon X5660 3.33Ghz 12MB 6.40GTs Processors | 3.60Ghz Max Turbo Frequency (SLBV6)
Up to 2 x 6C Xeon X5675 3.06Ghz 12MB 6.40GTs Processors | 3.46Ghz Max Turbo Frequency (SLBYL)
How much Memory should I get?
The base line should be a minimum of 16GB of memory. However, 16GB to 32GB would be ideal.
Memory PNs:
4GB PC10600R 2Rx4 ECC Reg Shielded (NN876)
4GB PC10600R 2Rx8 ECC Reg (7H8J8)
4GB PC10600R 2Rx8 PC3L ECC Reg (9J5WF or H5DDH)
8GB PC10600R 2Rx4 PC3L ECC Reg (P9RN2)
8GB PC10600R 2Rx4 ECC Reg Shielded (X3R5M)
16GB PC10600R 2Rx4 PC3L ECC Reg (MGY5T)
*12800R modules will work as well, they will just clock down to 1333Mhz depending on the CPU speed*
Recommended Memory configurations:
4 x 4GB PC10600R Modules (16GB)
6 x 4GB PC10600R Modules (24GB)
4 x 8GB PC10600R Modules (32GB)
6 x 8GB PC10600R Modules (48GB)
4 x 16GB PC10600R Modules (64GB)
6 x 16GB PC10600R Modules (96GB)
It's very important to use 10600R modules because they will run at the max speed supported by the system board and processor.
What Hard Drive should I get?
Ideally you would want to have a Solid State Drive as your boot device as well an NVME.2 SSD to store your game libraries/large programs on. If you are limited on budget you could go with a small SSD for your boot device and a larger capacity 7.2K SATA drive to hold your larger files/programs/games.
Recommended SSD Drives:
Samsung 860 EVO 2TB 2.5 Inch SATA III Internal SSD (MZ-76E2T0B/AM)
Samsung 860 EVO 1TB 2.5 Inch SATA III Internal SSD (MZ-76E1T0B/AM)
Samsung 860 Evo 500GB 2.5 inch SATA III Internal SSD (MZ-76E500B/AM)
Recommended large Capacity SATA Drives:
Seagate 2TB BarraCuda SATA 6 Gb/s 7200 RPM 64MB Cache 3.5 Inch Desktop Hard Drive (ST2000DM006)
*NVME.2 Drives cannot be used as a boot device with this model workstation*
NVME.2 PCIe Adapter (You need this if you plan to install an NVME.2 Drive in to this system):
NVME.2 SSD Adapter *Required to Install NVME.2*
Recommended NVME.2 SSDs:
Samsung 960 EVO Series - 500GB NVMe - M.2 Internal SSD (MZ-V6E500BW)
Samsung 970 Evo Series - 500GB NVMe -M2 Internal SSD (MZ-V7E500BW)
Samsung 960 EVO Series - 1TB PCIe NVMe - M.2 Internal SSD (MZ-V6E1T0BW)
Samsung 970 EVO Series - 1TB PCIe NVMe - M.2 Internal SSD (MZ-V7E1T0BW)
What Graphics Card should I get?
The HP Z600 has a 600W Power Supply. This will limit your Graphics Card options.
Recommended Graphics Cards:
NVIDIA GTX 1060 6GB Graphics Card
NVIDIA GTX1660 Ti 6GB Graphics Card (takes up 3 PCI slots)
NVIDIA GTX 1070 8GB Graphics Card
NVIDIA GTX 1070 TI 8GB Graphics Card
NVIDIA RTX 2060 6GB Graphics Card
NVIDIA RTX 2070 8GB Graphics Card
What type of Monitor should I get?
Ideally it would be nice to get a monitor with a 144Hz or 244hz refresh rate or better monitor. However, it really depends on the games you play. If you play first person shooter games a 144hz or 240Hz or better monitor is a must. If you play other games that do not require quick response time then a 60hz monitor should work fine.
Recommended Monitors:
ASUS PG248Q Full HD 144Hz 1MS 24" Gaming Monitor
ASUS VG278Q Full HD 1080P 144Hz 1MS 27" Gaming Monitor
ASUS XG258Q ROG Strix 24.5" 1080P 240Hz 1MS Gaming Monitor
Recap:
Using the criteria above you can build a good to borderline high end gaming system using a HP Z600 Workstation.
Sample Configuration:
HP Z600 Workstation
1 x 6C Xeon X5675 3.06Ghz 12MB 6.40GTs
32GB PC10600R (4 x 8GB)
Samsung 1TB 6GBPS SSD
GTX1660 Ti w/6GB Graphics Card
1 x 10/100/1000 Network Port
600W Power Supply
DVD-RW
10 Pro 64Bit
We have tested this system with games like Dota 2, CS Go, PubG, and The Division. The frames can range from 60FPS to 160FPS depending on the game and settings that you choose. The system was tested using a 144Hz 27" Acer Monitor.
Accessories:
SteelSeries QCK Heavy Cloth Gaming Mouse Pad (Click Here)
SteelSeries Apex M750 RGB Mechnical Keyboard (Click Here)
Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum RGB Tunable Gaming Mouse (Click Here)
HyperX Cloud II 7.1 Gaming Headset (Click Here)
El Gato Game Capture HD60 Pro for a Streaming Capture PC (Click Here)
Secretlab Premium Gaming Chairs (Click Here)
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Hi I am looking to add usb3 and add the NVME.2 SSD Adapter to my hp z600 (v2). I have two pcie2 slots free - slot 1(x8) and 2(x16). First off I am having trouble sourcing in the UK the card above.... I found a similar card SC-M20014-S1 https://www.siig.com/m-2-ngff-ssd-pcie-card-adapter.html . Would this work too? Also does it matter which of the two remaining slots I use.... I will be getting a pcie card for the usb3 too - so was wondering how to arrange them in the remaining slots. Thanks!
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This has been a great help! Couple of questions...
I have just bought the Samsung MZ-76E2T0B/EU which I am hoping is just the eu version of the MZ-76E1T0B/AM is that right? It is this one
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B078WRSSVT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Also looking to install a Samsung MZ-V7E1T0BW 970 EVO 1 TB V-NAND M.2 PCI Express Solid State Drive with the NVME.2 SSD Adapter.
I have already installed
1/graphics card that uses 150 watts
2/Firewire card (needed for my old audio interface)
https://www.ballicom.co.uk//pex1394b3-startech-com-3-port-2b-1a-1394-pci-.p350350.html
and I am planning to install a usb3 - "HP USB 3.0 2x2 SuperSpeed PCIe"
Will I have enough power in my pc for the Samsung MZ-76E2T0B and Samsung MZ-V7E1T0BW 970?
Thanks!
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Good day,
I am quite new with server memory and trying to understand if I can install in HP Z600 (revision C2) 6 memory sticks from Hynix 8GB 2Rx4 PC3-12800R model HMT31GR7EFR4C-PB T8 AF.
Photo of the memory:
Looks like manufacturer page: https://www.skhynix.com/eolproducts.view.do?pronm=DDR3+SDRAM&srnm=HMT31GR7EFR4C&rk=20&rc=module
Unfortunately, I can't find on Hynix anything similar to Kingston memory finder.
Could someone, please, advice if it would work? -
Jbigticket23 said:
Version 2 has system board PN: 591184-001 (460864-003)I have PN 591184-001 (460840-003) Rev.0T
Is this V2 that would support 96GB memory?
Your support highly appreciated since I´m in the process of ordering.
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I had an old Z600 with twin Xeons (2.5GHz) hanging around and fancied making a gaming PC. I upgraded the memory from 6gb to 96gb (6x16gb off ebay), a 500gb 860 EVO Samsung SSD with a mounting tray (see google), a PNY GEForce GTX 1660Ti (AGP twin fan) GPU. Converted win7 to win10 64bit for free (instructions on google). The graphics card has an 8pin power socket but came with a converter - 2x6 pin sockets to 1x8pin plug. The HP PSU only has one six pin plug available, and the system wouldn't work, so i bought a Akasa AK CBPW13 - 15 Adapter SATA to Pin PCIE off amazon for £3. I took the SATA power from the DVD and the spare SATA power on the same ribbon and plugged the converter into the other six pin socket. I had to unscrew a cube on the removable side so that the case would shut with the new obscenely large graphics card. And I bought a logitech G402 gaming mouse.
I decided an 8 year old system probably should start with older games, so tried Fallout 4 off Steam. The results are literally breathtaking. The system is much faster than a PS4 even on high detail and so solid. It looks really good on a 27" Benq Zowie monitor. The processors don't seem to need upgrading so far. I think I should have got a bigger SSD as 500GB doesn't hold many games. Next upgrade is an NVME.2 SSD as a second HDD. It's been such a fun project. Thanks for posting the original article. Going to try Skyrim next and maybe red dead. Any recommendations ? -
Hey Guys,
I just purchased for 150€ a z600 V2 with dual xeon e5606 CPU. Found for 99€ also 48gb ram on ebay. Just put a Gigabyte GTX 660 ti for 15€ in it. I think next purchase will be a SSD. Can not wait see it perform. Total cost around 300€.
Also I want to point out how solid the HP Z600 case is. Noise and vibration will be no problem.
My question is, what is the best way to plug in the SSD to my system? Due to speed... Thanks in advance.
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https://www.moddiy.com/products/HP-Z600-PSU-Main-Power-24-Pin-to-18-Pin-Adapter-Cable-30cm.html
HP Z600 PSU Main Power 24 Pin to 18 Pin Adapter Cable 30cm
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check this addition to my z600!!!!
(especially if you produce music!
hmu as well, www.kitheproductions.com)
pt 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7a8U9XqJks
pt2
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Hello, I have a question a out the ram I have been looking around for the correct ram is this the correct type
https://www.amazon.com/HP-Compaq-Memory-Module-627808-B21/dp/B004ULZ1I6
I have the V2
And another question is do any of the gtx 1080/1080 ti's work in the machine here is a gtx 1080 I found
https://au.evga.com/products/product.aspx?pn=08G-P4-6286-KR
I have 2 Xeon E5506 and am about to purchase a Xeon X5672 which I head is a lot better for performance because I need more GHz then cores
Thanks, Seb