R610 RAM Upgrade

Question

We would like to upgrade our server's memory but we are confused about the supported configurations.

Currently we have 24 GB in 6 slots (4 GB each in A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, B3 slots). These memory modules are DDR3 1066MHz. We would like to populate the remaining 6 slots with as much RAM as possible.

Questions:
1) Do I need to purchase 1066MHz RAM, or can I buy 1333 or 1600?
2) Can I buy 6 x 8 GB dual-ranked RDIMM modules and simply install them into slots A4, A5, A6, B4, B5, B6?
3) If not, what would be the best configuration to get the maximum amount of RAM?

Thanks in advance!

DELL-Geoff P · Accepted Answer

Additional memory information:

The DDR3 memory interface consists of three channels, with up to two RDIMMs or UDIMMs per channel for single/dual rank and up to two RDIMMs per channel for quad rank. The interface uses 2 GB, 4 GB, 8GB or 16 GB RDIMMs; only 1 GB or 2 GB UDIMMs are supported. The memory mode is dependent on how the memory is populated in the system:

Three channels per CPU populated identically
Typically, the system will be set to run in Memory Optimized (Independent Channel) mode in this configuration. This mode offers the most DIMM population flexibility and system memory capacity, but offers the least number of RAS (reliability, availability, service) features.
-All three channels must be populated identically.
-The first two channels per CPU populated identically with the third channel unused
Typically, two channels operate in Advanced ECC (Lockstep) mode with each other by having the cache line split across both channels. This mode provides improved RAS features (SDDC support for x8-based memory).

-For Memory Mirroring, two channels operate as mirrors of each other-writes go to both channels and reads alternate between the two channels.

-One channel per CPU populated
This is a simple Memory Optimized mode. No mirroring or sparing is supported.

The R610 memory interface supports memory demand and patrol scrubbing, single-bit correction and multi-bit error detection. Correction of a x4 or x8 device failure is also possible with SDDC in the Advanced ECC mode. Additionally, correction of a x4 device failure is possible in the Memory Optimized mode.

-If DIMMs of different speeds are mixed, all channels will operate at the fastest common frequency.
-RDIMMs and UDIMMs cannot be mixed.
-If memory mirroring is enabled, identical DIMMs must be installed in the same slots across both channels. The third channel of each processor is unavailable for memory mirroring.

-The first DIMM slot in each channel is color-coded with white ejection tabs for ease of installation.
-The DIMM sockets are placed 450 mils (11.43 mm) apart, center-to-center in order to provide enough space for sufficient airflow to cool stacked DIMMs.
-The R610 supports up to 12 DIMMs. DIMMs must be installed in each channel starting with the DIMM slot farthest from the processor. Population order will be identified by the silkscreen designator and the System Information Label (SIL) located on the chassis cover.
o Memory Optimized: {1, 2, 3}, {4, 5, 6}
o Advanced ECC or Mirrored: {2, 3}, {5, 6}
o Quad Rank or UDIMM: {1, 2, 3}, {4, 5, 6}

In the scenario's you have presented, each one will work in Optimized mode. However, adding 1300mhz memory with a 1060 will result in all the memory running at 1060, the fastest common denominator.

Regards,

DELL-Geoff P · Answer

The server will support either 1066 or 1300mhz Single and dual rank memory. It will support 1066mhz quad rank only. If you use larger RDIMM's, place them in A1,A4, B1,B4 and the remaining slots with your current memory. The server's memory is set to 3 channels, 0 (A3,A6; B3,B6) 1 (A2,A5,B2,B5) and 2 (A1,A4, B1,B4) . Each channel has to be indentical on both sides. In the F2 bios, make sure the memory mode is set to Optimized.

Regards,

ggarnold · Answer

Thanks for your response and info! Sorry, I am a server noob and still not sure I understand how to arrange the modules. For example, let's say we have 6 x 4GB 1066 MHz (original) and 6 x 8GB 1333 MHz (new) modules, would this arrangement work?

A1: 8GB (new 1333 MHz)
A4: 4GB (old 1066 MHz)

A2: 8GB (new 1333 MHz)
A5: 4GB (orig 1066 MHz)

A3: 8GB (new 1333 MHz)
A6: 4GB (orig 1066 MHz)

B1: 8GB (new 1333 MHz)
B4: 4GB (old 1066 MHz)

B2: 8GB (new 1333 MHz)
B5: 4GB (orig 1066 MHz)

B3: 8GB (new 1333 MHz)
B6: 4GB (orig 1066 MHz)

Sounds like you are saying we should put 8GB in A1,A4 and B1,B4. But then how would you arrange the remaining 2 x 8GB and 6 x 4GB? Would we need to purchase 2 extra 8GB and exclude a couple of the original 4GB? For example:

A1: 8GB (new 1333 MHz)
A4: 8GB (new 1333 MHz)

A2: 8GB (new 1333 MHz)
A5: 8GB (new 1333 MHz)

A3: 4GB (orig 1066 MHz)
A6: 4GB (orig 1066 MHz)

B1: 8GB (new 1333 MHz)
B4: 8GB (new 1333 MHz)

B2: 8GB (new 1333 MHz)
B5: 8GB (new 1333 MHz)

B3: 4GB (orig 1066 MHz)
B6: 4GB (orig 1066 MHz)

Would either of these configurations work?

ggarnold · Answer

Excellent, thanks for all of the info!

RAJ54 · Answer

But which configuration will give the best performance? Are they identical in performance? Also just assume all ram is 1066Mhz. My R610 has 24GB and has 2GB dimms in all 12 slots. I want to upgrade my ram and someone said don't mix 2GB and 4 GB or 8GB modules. You get more ram but worse performance vs having all slots the same. Is this true? If so then I would have to toss out my 2GB and buy all new. I was hoping to add either 6 4Gb or even just two 8 GB dimms and put them in A1 and B1.

A1: 8GB (new 1333 MHz)
A4: 4GB (old 1066 MHz)
A2: 8GB (new 1333 MHz)
A5: 4GB (orig 1066 MHz)
A3: 8GB (new 1333 MHz)
A6: 4GB (orig 1066 MHz)
B1: 8GB (new 1333 MHz)
B4: 4GB (old 1066 MHz)
B2: 8GB (new 1333 MHz)
B5: 4GB (orig 1066 MHz)
B3: 8GB (new 1333 MHz)
B6: 4GB (orig 1066 MHz)
Sounds like you are saying we should put 8GB in A1,A4 and B1,B4. But then how would you arrange the remaining 2 x 8GB and 6 x 4GB? Would we need to purchase 2 extra 8GB and exclude a couple of the original 4GB? For example:
A1: 8GB (new 1333 MHz)
A4: 8GB (new 1333 MHz)
A2: 8GB (new 1333 MHz)
A5: 8GB (new 1333 MHz)
A3: 4GB (orig 1066 MHz)
A6: 4GB (orig 1066 MHz)
B1: 8GB (new 1333 MHz)
B4: 8GB (new 1333 MHz)
B2: 8GB (new 1333 MHz)
B5: 8GB (new 1333 MHz)
B3: 4GB (orig 1066 MHz)
B6: 4GB (orig 1066 MHz)

RAJ54 · Answer

The second setup is wrong.

This is TRI-Channel memory. You do it in sets of 3, (for single cpu) or 6 for dual cpu)

The cpu needs all three channels to be the same amount.

Below is good in green.

Channel 1 (8 gb, 4Gb)

Channel 2 (8Gb, 4Gb)

Channel 3 (8Gb, 4Gb)

NOT

Channel 1 (8Gb, 8Gb)

Channel 2 (8,Gb, 8Gb)

Channel 3 (4Gb, 4Gb)

channel 3 is wrong, it needs to be 8/8 to match the first two channels

You can mix ram within a channel (A1 8Gb, A5 4Gb)

But they all have to be the same 8/4 Gb in each channel or you are defeating Tri Channel.

This the same for a X58 I7. Do ram in 3s not twos, twos is for dual channel ram.

PowerEdge Hardware General

R610 RAM Upgrade

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