Intel S5000XAL manual Dimm Population Rules and Supported Dimm Configurations

Intel® Server Board S5000PAL / S5000XAL TPS Functional Architecture

3.1.3.3DIMM Population Rules and Supported DIMM Configurations

DIMM population rules depend on the operating mode of the memory controller, which is determined by the number of DIMMs installed. DIMMs must be populated in pairs. DIMM pairs are populated in the following DIMM slot order: A1 & B1, C1 & D1, A2 & B2, C2 & D2. DIMMs within a given pair must be identical with respect to size, speed, and organization. However, DIMM capacities can be different between different DIMM pairs.

For example, a valid mixed DIMM configuration may have 512MB DIMMs installed in DIMM Slots A1 & B1, and 1GB DIMMs installed in DIMM slots C1 & D1.

Intel supported DIMM configurations for this server board are shown in the following table.

Supported and Validated configuration : Slot is populated

Supported but not validated configuration : Slot is populated

Slot is not populated

Mirroring: Y = Yes. Indicates that configuration supports Memory Mirroring.

Sparing: Y(x) = Yes. Indicates that configuration supports Memory Sparing. Where x = 0 : Sparing supported on Branch0 only

1 : Sparing supported on Branch1 only

0,1 : Sparing supported on both branches

	Branch 0				Branch 1
Channel A		Channel B		Channel C		Channel D
DIMM_A1	DIMM_A2	DIMM_B1	DIMM B2	DIMM C1	DIMM C2	DIMM D1	DIMM D2

Mirroring	Sparing
Possible	Possible

	Y (0)
Y
	Y (0)
Y	Y (0, 1)

Notes:

-Single channel mode is only tested and supported with a 512MB x8 FBDIMM installed in DIMM Slot A1.

-The supported memory configurations must meet population rules defined above.

-For best performance, the number of DIMMs installed should be balanced across both memory branches. For Example: a four DIMM configuration will perform better than a two DIMM configuration and should be installed in DIMM Slots A1, B1, C1, and D1. An eight DIMM configuration will perform better then a six DIMM configuration.

-Although mixed DIMM capacities between channels is supported, Intel does not validate DIMMs in mixed DIMM configurations.

3.1.3.3.1Minimum Non-Mirrored Mode Configuration

The server board is capable of supporting a minimum of one DIMM installed. However, for system performance reasons, Intel’s recommendation is that at least 2 DIMMs be installed.

Revision 1.4	29
	Intel order number: D31979-007