Optimal memory configuration on Dell R610 – 4 x 4GB and 2 x 8GB

hardwarememory

I'm trying to install memory into a Dell R610 server, and am honestly at wit's end.

The DIMMS I have are:

  • 4 x 4GB DDR3
  • 2 x 8GB DDR3

I tried putting in the 4 x 4GB sticks in A1, A2, B1, B2 and the 2 x 8GB sticks in A3, B3 – but it complained:

The following DIMMS should match in size and geometry: DIMM A1, A2 & A3

I then tried putting in the 4 x 4GB sticks all on one CPU – A1, A2, A3 and A4. With the 2 x 8GB sticks on B1, B2.

However, it then complained about:

The memory configuration is not optimal.

CPU 1
A1:  DIMM A
A4:
A2: DIMM A
A5:
A3: DIMM 
A6:

DIMM configuration on each CPU should match.

I tried to follow the guide at http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/products/pedge/en/server-pedge-installing-upgrading-memory-11g.pdf, but couldn't seem to get it optimal.

Does anybody know what configuration I should be using?

Best Answer

The 610 has got three RAM channels, so A1, A2, A3 should have the same module size & type, and B1, B2, B3 should have the same module size & type.

Single CPU:

With 4 + 2 modules, there's no optimal layout.

The best solution is to replace one of the 4 GB DIMMs with a 8 GB DIMM, so you get two matching triplets.

Dual CPUs:

Plug 8 + 4 + 4 GB into each CPU's sockets, one DIMM per channel.

Related Topic