I ordered a HPE ProLiant DL325 G10 server. It comes with a AMD EPYC 7401P and 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4 2666MT/s 2Rx8 RDIMMs. I'd like to add more RAM to it. I'm wondering if I can buy non-HPE branded RAM and save a bunch of money and have no compatibility issues. I looked up the module part numbers for the 16GB & 32GB sticks HPE sells. I found them a lot cheaper without the HPE sticker. Will these work perfectly without any issues? And is there really anything different in the hardware in HPE RAM?
HPE Servers – RAM Compatibility Guide
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For an HP ProLiant DL160 G6, there are a few things to consider.
First, that's not HP RAM!!! It's Kingston Memory. Furthermore, your 8GB module is a Quad-Rank DIMM and the 4GB module is a Dual-Rank DIMM. (Here's why ranks matter) This complicates things, as HP does not sell a Quad-Rank 8GB module in the product lineup.
Second, you must upgrade the firmware of your system (here's why), either via the individual firmware updates or via the HP Service Pack for ProLiant DVD. There were BIOS changes that impacted memory for that model.
Third, the most optimal configurations can be found via the HP Memory Configurator Tool. What you have in terms of parts is not ideal. At this point you just need to follow the Nehalem/Westmere DIMM population guidelines.
Summary:
- Balance the DIMMs across CPUs.
- Heaviest rank goes farthest from the CPU in each bank.
- The presence of Quad-Rank memory will limit you to only using 12 of the 18 slots in the server.
So, your best option is for each CPU, populate Slots A and B with 8GB modules. Populate Slots C and D with 4GB modules.
The result will likely run at 800MHz instead of the native 1066MHz of the 8GB sticks or the 1333MHz of the 4GB sticks. If you remove two of the 4GB modules, the system will probably run at 1066MHz.
I ended up finding the answer to this one is a no, you don't need to use HP/HPE SmartMemory in the Proliant DL320e Gen8 v2 after getting someone in the server room to hook me up with the part number on the pre-installed RAM sticks. HP didn't even provide us their own HP SmartMemory... They gave us a 4GB stick of this, which isn't even supposed to be something they sell, with 8GB being the supposed minimum config:
Micron 4GB PC3-12800 DDR3-1600MHz ECC Unbuffered CL11 240-Pin DIMM Dual Rank Memory Module Mfr P/N MT18JSF51272AZ-1G6K1ZE
Unless they just forgot to slap their HP/HPE SmartMemory sticker over Micron's label ;) haha. You tell me shrug Oh and that missing 4 gigs of RAM too... I still don't feel too confident with this answer, but it's better than nothing. I'm kind of suspicious that someone took some liberties with idle hardware, but only because I can't prove that the stick the guy sent me was what HP actually shipped them off with.
Best Answer
On a modern ProLiant Gen10 server, you will receive alerts at power-on expressing that the RAM in the system is not Genuine HPE Smart Memory.
Here are the details of Smart Memory certification.
I think it's worse having mixed memory types installed. This RAM status will likely add an entry to the ILO and IML log every boot and while it will technically work, it may be a better idea to find a discounted price for HPE-specific RAM.
In my environments, I'd opt for used/refurbished HPE RAM versus buying unbranded or generics.