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Poweredge 800 compatible memory - ECC only?
Right now I am using non-ECC RAM in the PE800 with no problems.
BIOS has ECC memory as an unchanged spec. Manual states ECC.
Crucial.com notes states can use all non-ECC or all ECC, but they will only recommend ECC modules - CT12872AA667.
Bought non -ECC figuring could use it in future desktop.
In it is Samsung M378T6553CZ3-CD5 1Rx8 pc2-4200 512mb x2
and Samsung M378T6553EZS-CE6 1Rx8 pc2-5300 512mb x2.
REJECTED - no POST - Crucial CT12864AA667.M8FJ1 (8F means 8 chips) 1GB.
Rejected if Crucial - 1 stick or both, or combined with Samsung. Fails Post.
All are unbuffered unregistered, and the Samsung in CPU-Z has Error correction = NONE.
Can the Poweredge 800 use non-ECC ram in general? Did I just get lucky with the Samsung?
Could the higher density (1Rx8) 1GB vs (1Rx8) 512mb be the problem?
Has anyone successfully used the Crucial CT12864AA667 instead of CT12872AA667?
MacGruber
42 Posts
1
March 29th, 2011 20:00
Here is a possibility: that the ECC server board will accept certain configurations of non-ECC ram only.
4x512mb accepted, but 2x1GB rejected.
A HP dual core Intel CPU workstation that uses the same RAM as a PE800, except that 2GB sticks are allowed,
has the following memory configs:
QuickSpecs HP xw4400 Workstation
PC2-5300E ECC Unbuffered RAM DIMMs
HP 512 MB (2 x 256 MB) PC2-5300E DDR2-667
ECC
HP 1 GB (2 x 512 MB) PC2-5300E DDR2-667
ECC
HP 1.5 GB (2 x 256 MB + 2 x 512 MB) PC2-5300E DDR2-667
ECC
HP 2 GB (4 x 512 MB) PC2-5300E DDR2-667
ECC
HP 2 GB (2 x 1 GB) PC2-5300E DDR2-667
ECC
HP 3 GB (2 x 512 + 2 x 1 GB) PC2-5300E DDR2-667
ECC
HP 4 GB (2 x 2 GB) PC2-5300E DDR2-667
ECC
HP 4 GB (4 x 1 GB) PC2-5300E DDR2-667
ECC
HP 6 GB (2 x 1 GB + 2 x 2 GB) PC2-5300E DDR2-667
ECC
HP 8 GB (4 x 2 GB) PC2-5300E DDR2-667
ECC
PC2-5300U Non-ECC Unbuffered RAM DIMMs
HP 512 MB (2 x 256 MB) PC2-5300U DDR2-667
non-ECC
HP 1 GB (2 x 512 MB) PC2-5300U DDR2-667
non-ECC
HP 2 GB (4 x 512 MB) PC2-5300U DDR2-667
non-ECC
NOTE: Do not mix ECC and non-ECC memory. The system will not boot if ECC and non-ECC DIMMs are mixed.
Only unbuffered DDR2 DIMMs are supported. All DIMMs must be either x8 or x16 width.
theflash1932
7 Technologist
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16.3K Posts
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March 27th, 2011 15:00
I've noticed that Crucial has that on their website, and it is surprising, as that is almost universally untrue in practice. There are VERY few systems that can handle both ... there's no need and no point to provide motherboard/BIOS/chipset support for both ECC and non-ECC, so many systems support one or the other. I'm not saying that non-ECC doesn't work, but I'd be really surprised if it did. You sure it is ECC? I have seen "unsupported" memory work in smaller densities, so that could be it, but barring someone that just happened to try the exact model you have, I'm not sure if anyone would be able to give you much of an answer either way on unsupported memory. Use supported memory, and we'd all feel comfortable saying yes, this will work.
You said you bought this thinking you could use it for a "future" desktop? You realize that PC2 has almost been completely replaced in new desktops by PC3, right? You'd only be able to use it in an old model desktop anyway.
MacGruber
42 Posts
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March 27th, 2011 16:00
"You sure it is ECC?" - Well of course I can just look for the 9th chip to tell if it ECC instead of CPU-Z.
The Samsung is non-ECC and works fine. The Crucial non-ECC that failed could just be defective.
Real reason bought non-ECC: A year ago when buying Ram I read that the ECC chip slows down the memory.
Now I just want a compatible 4 x 1GB set of ddr2.
I noticed the Dell parts advisor now has for sale only pc2-6400 ECC 1GB modules for the PE800. What about pc2-6400 compatibility?
theflash1932
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16.3K Posts
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March 27th, 2011 19:00
You didn't mention anything about "how" you knew for sure it was ECC in your original post, so I assumed you didn't know ... CPU-Z isn't perfect.
ECC does slow things down, but so little that you'd need benchmarking software to see it ... typically around 1-2%.
Most systems can take memory that is a step or two above the spec, but not all. If Dell's memory configurator shows that PC2-6400 will work, then go for it ... Dell guarantees compability.
Otherwise go with this:
http://www.buy.com/prod/2gb-2x1gb-ddr2-pc4200-533mhz-ecc-memory-upgrade-4-dell-poweredge-800/q/sellerid/18914987/loc/101/219951187.html
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144158
Good luck.