Memory upgrade need help!

Question

Hi I have been reading for hours about memory and there seems to be a lot of contradictory information out there. My goal here is to find a compatible memory upgrade for Dell T3500 workstation. I have read a lot online about its maximum configuration and that it is 4GB per slot, with 6 DIMM slots up to 24 GB; reference (http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/wst3500/en/SM/td_mem.htm#configs). On that page it claims there are 6 slots, but in the graphics I can only see four? Am I missing something?

My big question is about ECC vs NECC. I am concerned as I have read from the Dell support site that these T3500 have issues with registered ECC ramm. Yet all of the higher configurations from Dell include ECC (unregistered would be my guess), so at higher levels of ramm is it advised to get ECC versus NECC or is this just a ploy to make more money from people who don't know any better by paying out the nose for ECC?

Would this upgrade be compatible? Able to be fully utilized using the system configuration?
-G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 24GB (6 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231357)

I have looked at cruicial.com as they list compatible ramm for different computers and all of theirs are limited to 12 GB, further adding to the confusion...

The system configuration:
-Quad Core Intel Xeon W3550 3.0GHz, 8M L3, 4.8GT/s, Turbo
-Windows 64 bit Professional
-2.0GB AMD FirePro V7900
-500GB SATA 3.0Gb/s with NCQ and 16MB DataBurst Cache
-Intel X58 chipset
-2GB, 1333MHz, DDR3 SDRAM, NECC (2 DIMM) <-- to be upgraded

Thank you all for your time. Any help is appreciated.

kyleand · Answer

This is the information from the crucial website it seems, no?  I was confused by them in particular because they mention that the limit is 24gb but only offer a max of 12 gb....

speedstep · Answer

The 12 GIG kit is 3 SLOTS.  12 + 12 = 24 GIG = 6 slots

speedstep · Answer

Your Precision Workstation T3500 System Specs

System specs as shipped by the manufacturer.
Scan your system to view your specific system configuration.

Memory:

DDR3 PC3-10600, DDR3 PC3-8500, DDR3 PC3-12800

Memory Type: DDR3 PC3-10600, DDR3 PC3-8500, DDR3 PC3-12800, DDR3 (ECC)
Maximum Memory: 24GB
Slots: 6
Each memory slot can hold DDR3 PC3-10600, DDR3 PC3-8500, DDR3 PC3-12800 with a maximum of 4GB per slot.*
*Not to exceed manufacturer supported memory.

Mixing Vendors, speed, and size is NOT RECOMMENDED.

Recommended Upgrade

12GB kit (4GBx3)
DDR3 PC3-10600 • CL=9 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR3-1333 • 1.5V • 512Meg x 64 • • Part #: CT1029950

kyleand · Answer

Yes I get that, haha.  Just seemed kinda odd that there was no 6x4gb package.  But to the question at hand would such a configuration be compatible?

speedstep · Answer

6 X 4 gig works fine.  You cannot however do 3 x 8 gig or even 1 x 8 gig. There is a MAX SIZE per slot of 4 gig. Thats why they say 'with a maximum of 4GB per slot.'

kyleand · Answer

Thank you Osprey. I just read a new article that stated this,

"I bought a Dell T3500. According to a post on the Dell forum, it's mobo doesn't support registered memory (it does support ECC memory). (No, they're not the same thing, so please don't post saying they are.)

But, according to a Word doc article done by NewEgg, if you're going past 4GB, you need registered memory. (You can find that doc by going to the Wikipedia article on registered memory and then clicking on the link. Then see their rationale.)"

I am very confused at this point, so which type of memory is needed when you go past 4GB ECC registered, ECC non registered, NECC? I still cannot tell what one is needed. Would unbuffered Non ECC 6x 4GB be compatible?

osprey4 · Answer

Yes, it matters.

kyleand · Answer

Thank you for your replies.  Does it matter if it is ECC or NECC at the higher levels of ramm?

Locked Topics – Desktops General

Memory upgrade need help!

Your Precision Workstation T3500 System Specs

Memory:

Recommended Upgrade

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