Questions on Adding Memory to a R420

Question

Dell PE R4202 Intel Xeon E5-2407 2.20GHz Processors with 24 GB RAM - (6) 4GB RDIMM 1333 MT/s, Low Volt, Single Rank modules.The server has 12 DIMM slots.  I have not opened the server.I am guessing that the RAM is set with 3 cards for each CPU in chan 1,2,3 on the first slot of each channel (white tabs)?.I want to add an additional RAM to the system.  What are the options to add an additional:16 GB20 GBor24 GBI am assuming that adding the cards to the slots and channels will depend on the type of add-on RAM purchased and that each CPU should have the same amount (i.e. 24GB on each in some combination).I have checked a  few options From Dell Site:A6996808 - 8 GB Certified Replacement Memory 2Rx4 RDIMM 1333MHz LVA6994455 – 8 GB Certified Replacement Memory Module 2Rx4 RDIMM 1600MHz LVA6994474 – 4 GB Certified Replacement Memory Module 2Rx8 RDIMM 1600MHz LVFrom Crucialhttp://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=D4BF3CBCA5CA7304Any help would be appreciated..thanks

theflash1932 · Answer

'that each CPU should have the same amount (i.e. 24GB on each in some combination)' Just to clarify ... if you have 6x4GB on one processor and 3x8GB on the other, although both processors have '24GB ... in some combination', the configuration will be invalid.  The configuration (number/size/position) must match on each processor exactly.  You may have meant that ... I just wanted to make sure that was clear (it's been tried before). There aren't many restrictions on this server ... populate in numerical order, highest 'rank' first (2R vs. 1R).  You will need to make sure it is in Optimized memory mode.  All memory will run at slowest installed speed (1333 if you combine them). Page 41:http://ftp.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_ser_stor_net/esuprt_poweredge/poweredge-r420_Owner's%20Manual_en-us.pdf http://i.dell.com/sites/doccontent/shared-content/data-sheets/en/Documents/dell-poweredge-r420-technical-guide.pdf

DELL-Josh Cr · Answer

Hi,

The best option would be to add matching DIMMs to the other slots. Each channel should have matching configurations, so with all 3 channels on each processor currently being used you couldn’t just add an 8GB DIMM on each side as then the channels wouldn’t match.

SJNAPL · Answer

I went into vCenter and checked the hardware status tab.

For Memory it showing,

DIMM_A1, DIMM_A2, DIMM_A3, with 4GB 1333MHz
DIMM_B1, DIMM_B2, DIMM_B3, with 4GB 1333MHz

DIMM_A4, DIMM_A5, DIMM_A6 Not Populated

DIMM_B4, DIMM_B5, DIMM_B6 Not Populated

So, can I add

8 GB RDIMM DR in slots DIMM_A4 and DIMM_B4
and
4 GB RDIMM DR in slots DIMM_A5 and DIMM_B5

DELL-Josh Cr · Answer

You will want to populate the largest DIMMs first so A1, B1 8GB and A2,B2-5 4GB.

SJNAPL · Answer

ok,

So you are saying pull the current 4GB cards and put the 8GB in A1, B1?

Then, I can move the current 4GB plus new 4GB cards to A2-A6 and B2-B6?

Also, can I mix the current 4GB Single Rank cards with the two 8 GB Dual Rank cards?

I am hearing you cannot mix Single and Dual and I would need to pull all of the current 4GB Single Rank and replace with Dual Rank..

thanks

DELL-Josh Cr · Answer

Yes, pull the current sticks in A1 and B1 and replace with the 8GB DIMMs. You should be fine mixing single and dual rank memory.

natcam2 · Answer

Hello, further to this post.  I too have A1, A2,A3, B1,B2,and B3. all 4 gb each.  can I add same 4gb to A4 and B4?  I tried this but I received a CPU1 Power Error and kept rebooting.  is it possible a bad stick of RAM would cause this?  thank you

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