ECC DIMM Configuration Question

Question

My work recently let me have one of their old servers, an R710.

It had only 4GB of RAM in it, configured as 4 x 1GB DIMMs installed in A2,A3,B2,B3.

Since I wanted to use it for virtualization I decided to upgrade the memory and have bought 4 x 4GB DIMMs (total 16GB).

All the old memory is DDR3 - 8500E

The new memory is DDR3 - 8500R

When I plugged the new DIMMs into the same slots it detects as 16GB but says that ECC is now disabled because the configuration isn't right (they are not pairs). I have tried putting them in all sorts of different ways in A2/A3/B2/B3 but it just won't configure correctly. The worst part is when I put the old memory back in that then has the same error where it didn't before.

Initially I thought the memory I had bought might be wrong and that still may be true (it did specifically say ECC for an R710), but I have this nagging feeling I am doing something stupid.

Any help / feedback would be much appreciated.

Regards

Nokem

theflash1932 · Accepted Answer

Those are the specs, but not the model, but there isn't anything obvious about the specs that they shouldn't work.

"says that ECC is now disabled because the configuration isn't right (they are not pairs)"

What is the EXACT message it gives?

Either way (and you can probably just skip the above):

Populating A2/A3, B2/B3 is for "Advanced ECC", and you may need special DIMM's for that. Advanced ECC is a feature that is NOT necessary for MOST computing needs, especially if you are using it at home.

Put your 4GB DIMM's in slots A1/A2, B1/B2, and change the memory mode to Optimizer in the BIOS.

nokem · Answer

Both the new and old are Hynix. 4GB 2Rx4 PC3 - 8500R - 7 - 10 - E1    (for the new ones)

theflash1932 · Answer

What is the model of DIMM's you got?

nokem · Answer

Thanks for the help that sorted it out with it in A1/A2/B1/B2. The memory is still running in ECC just not Advanced ECC.

theflash1932 · Answer

'The memory is still running in ECC just not Advanced ECC.' Right.  Advanced ECC isn't usually necessary.

nokem · Answer

If I was to add another 2 DIMM's in C1/C2 would that work and then go into tri-channel? (if they are the same model)

theflash1932 · Answer

Yes, it would. Also: The memory speed of each channel depends on the memory configuration: – For single or dual-rank memory modules: One memory module per channel supports up to 1333 MHz. Two memory modules per channel supports up to 1067 MHz. Three memory modules per channel are limited to 800 MHz, regardless of memory module speed. – For quad-rank memory modules: One memory module per channel supports up to 1067 MHz. Two memory modules per channel are limited to 800 MHz, regardless of memory module speed.

PowerEdge Hardware General

ECC DIMM Configuration Question

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