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Hi All,
I'm sure I'm missing something but I've read the two technical documents regarding memory configuration in the Dell R710.
I've got a server that currently has 48GB in laid out as follows
A1 - 4GB
A4 - 4GB
A2 - 4GB
A5 - 4GB
A3 - 4GB
A6 - 4GB
(This is then the same on the B side)
According to the BIOS it's set to 'Optimized'
Now I have 2x16GB Sticks which I wanted to install, the only way I could get it working without the BIOS moaning was to install as follows:
A2 - 16GB
A5 - 4GB
A8 - 4GB
(Duplicated on B side)
Giving 72GB.
As I read the manual I should be able to mix memory sizes for 'optimized' as long as I go from A1 to A9 and so I have a further 6x4GB sticks left I want to install.
My logic is I can fill from A1 to A9, mixing the 16GB in, however when I try I get the error about A1/A2/A3 needing to be the same?
Am I missing something simple? I'm unable to make changes in the BIOS, the memory is all the same type (Purchased from Dell)
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Posted June 10th, 2015 06:00
Rob_991,
The issue you are running into is due to the R710 needing the 3 memory channels to match. Each nine-socket set is organized into three channels with three memory sockets per channel. As shown below each processor has 3 memory channels, which when required to match, only allows a single channel to be populated. So with only having a couple of 16GB dimms, you are only able to populate a channel on each side. What I would suggest is adding a couple more 16GB dimms and populate A1, A2, B1, B2 with them, and then place 4GB in A4,A5,A7, and A8, as well as B4, B5, B7, and finally B8. That gives you two channels on each side, as well as 96GB of memory.
Let me know if this helps answer your question.
DELL-Chris H
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Posted June 10th, 2015 06:00
I see - So when I'm mixing sizes of memory I can't populate all 3 channels?
Currently it has 72GB
A2 - 16GB / A5 - 4GB / A8 - 4GB
B2 - 16GB / A5 - 4GB / B8 - 4GB
I think if I read your reply correctly I should have started these from A1 and leave A3/A6/A9 empty with my current setup?
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Posted June 10th, 2015 08:00
You could populate all 3 if you like, but you would need a 16GB for all the white slots, and 4GB dimms in all the black slots, that would make the 3 channels match. Your excluded from that bank due to the limited number of 16GB dimms you have.
You will need to start with placing the 16gb dimms in A1 and B1.
Then the 4gb dimms in 4,5,7, and 8 for A and B.
This does exclude 3,6, and 9 for both sides, as you stated.
DELL-Chris H
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Posted June 10th, 2015 08:00
Cheers Chris
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Posted June 12th, 2015 00:00
Chris,
Tried the above this morning and it gives an error saying that the memory is geo/size right in A1/A2 .. B1/B2
Have had to go back to my original config of leaving A1/A4/A7 empty to get it to boot.
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Posted November 10th, 2023 22:51
Hi I am rather new to this server and I only have one CPU so if I where to populate A1-A9 and leave B9-B1 empty would the system work?
Thanks
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November 13th, 2023 02:24
I believe you are correct on that.
Respectfully,
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Posted July 3rd, 2025 12:39
I have Dell PowerEdge R710, i want to upgrade its memory, I want to install the 16 x 8 ram total 128GB. Could you please identify on which slot i should use?
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Posted July 3rd, 2025 13:20
Hi,
we recommend you configuration with every channel has the same memory configuration
like 6 12 or 18 modules should be used instead of 16.
Source page 32 https://i.dell.com/sites/doccontent/business/solutions/engineering-docs/en/Documents/server-poweredge-r710-tech-guidebook.pdf
with kind regards Martin/ Liebe Grüße Martin
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Posted July 7th, 2025 13:03
@Dell-Martin S Dear Martin, Thank you for your support. Your further advise is required. I want to upgrade my server memory 16GB x 8 modules 1066mhz= 128GB. Can i use 8 modules of 16GB, if yes on which slots i need to install those 8 modules?
If 8 modules of 16gb is not possible, in this case which configuration and slot i need to use for 6 or 12 modules of 16GB?
Dell-Martin S
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Posted July 7th, 2025 13:21
Hi,
there is a graphic on page 32 that answer your question:
https://i.dell.com/sites/doccontent/business/solutions/engineering-docs/en/Documents/server-poweredge-r710-tech-guidebook.pdf
with kind regards Martin/ Liebe Grüße Martin
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