DIMM Type DIMMs Populated/
Channel Operating Frequency (in
MT/s) Maximum DIMM Rank/Channel
1.2 V
RDIMM 1 2133, 1866, 1600, 1333 Dual rank or single rank
2 2133, 1866, 1600, 1333 Dual rank or single rank
General memory module installation guidelines
This system supports flexible memory configuration, enabling the system to be configured and run in any
valid chipset architectural configuration. The following are the recommended guidelines for installing
memory modules:
• x4 and x8 DRAM based memory modules can be mixed. For more information, see Mode-specific
guidelines.
• Up to two dual- or single-rank RDIMMs can be populated per channel.
• Populate memory module sockets only if a processor is installed. For single-processor systems,
sockets A1 to A8 are available. For dual-processor systems, sockets A1 to A8 and sockets B1 to B8 are
available.
• Populate all sockets with white release tabs first and then the black release tabs.
• Populate the sockets by the highest rank count, in the following order—first in sockets with white
release tabs and then with the black release tabs. For example, if you want to mix single-rank and
dual-rank memory modules, populate dual-rank memory modules in the sockets with white release
tabs and single-rank memory modules in the sockets with black release tabs.
• When mixing memory modules with different capacities, populate the sockets with memory modules
with the highest capacity first. For example, if you want to mix 4 GB and 8 GB memory modules,
populate 8 GB memory modules in the sockets with white release tabs and 4 GB memory modules in
the sockets with black release tabs.
• In a dual-processor configuration, the memory configuration for each processor should be identical.
For example, if you populate socket A1 for processor 1, then populate socket B1 for processor 2, and
so on.
• Memory modules of different capacities can be mixed provided other memory population rules are
followed (for example, 4 GB and 8 GB memory modules can be mixed).
• Mixing of more than two memory module capacities in a system is not supported.
• Populate two memory modules per processor (one memory module per channel) at a time to
maximize performance.
Mode-specific guidelines
Four memory channels are allocated to each processor. The allowable configurations depend on the
memory mode selected.
NOTE: You can mix x4 and x8 DRAM based DIMMs to support RAS features. However, all guidelines
for specific RAS features must be followed. x4 DRAM based DIMMs retain Single Device Data
Correction (SDDC) in memory optimized (independent channel) mode. x8 DRAM based DIMMs
require Advanced ECC mode to gain SDDC.
The following sections provide additional slot population guidelines for each mode:
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