•Up to two
•Up to three LRDIMMs can be populated regardless of rank count.
•Populate DIMM sockets only if a processor is installed. For
•Populate all sockets with white release tabs first, then black, and then green.
•Do not populate the third DIMM socket in a channel with green release tabs, if a
•Populate the sockets by highest rank count in the following order — first in sockets with white release levers, then black, and then green. For example, if you want to mix
•In a
•Memory modules of different sizes can be mixed provided that other memory population rules are followed (for example, 2 GB and 4 GB memory modules can be mixed).
•Populate four DIMMs per processor (one DIMM per channel) at a time to maximize performance.
•If memory modules with different speeds are installed, they will operate at the speed of the slowest installed memory module(s) or slower depending on system DIMM configuration.
Mode-Specific Guidelines
Four memory channels are allocated to each processor. The allowable configurations depend on the memory mode selected.
NOTE: x4 and x8 DRAM based DIMMs can be mixed, providing support for 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.
Advanced ECC (Lockstep)
Advanced ECC mode extends SDDC from x4 DRAM based DIMMs to both x4 and x8 DRAMs. This protects against single DRAM chip failures during normal operation.
Memory installation guidelines:
•Memory modules must be identical in size, speed, and technology.
•DIMMs installed in memory sockets with white release tabs must be identical and similar rule applies for sockets with black and green release tabs. This ensures that identical DIMMs are installed in matched pairs - for example, A1 with A2, A3 with A4, A5 with A6, and so on.
NOTE: Advanced ECC with Mirroring is not supported.
Memory Optimized (Independent Channel) Mode
This mode supports SDDC only for memory modules that use x4 device width and does not impose any specific slot population requirements.
Memory Sparing
NOTE: To use memory sparing, this feature must be enabled in the System Setup.
In this mode, one rank per channel is reserved as a spare. If persistent correctable errors are detected on a rank, the data from this rank is copied to the spare rank and the failed rank is disabled.
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