An Updated Version With Everything You Need To Know About DDR3s!

P
Compliments of H
C ition
2nd HP Special Ed
An updated version with

Open the book
everything you need to
DDR3
and find:
know about DDR3s!
• The difference between
DDR3 is a type of memory that conserves DDR3 and DDR2
energy and moves fast. This updated • How memory is
version of the book contains everything protected
you ever wanted to know about DDR3
• How many DIMMs you
(or double data rate 3) memory. This is a
can load per channel
new generation of higher speed memory
for a new generation of faster, more • Helpful lists of popula-
powerful servers. tion rules for different
types of servers
• DDR3 demystified — understand
why DDR3 is the preferred type of • Why you should buy
HP memory
memory for lightning-fast servers
• Populate your server — a number
of rules about the proper way to
load memory onto your servers Making Everything Easier! ™ Learn to:
exist; know how to do it the right • Choose your preferred
way and how to optimize Go to Dummies.com® DIMM type
for videos, step-by-step examples,
performance how-to articles, or to shop! • Get to the HP configuration
• Questions answered — maybe tool online
you have some questions about
• Avoid common mistakes
DDR3 memory; this book is here
to answer them
Bill Howard
Reza Bacchus
Client Part Number: 4AA2-5212ENW Eric L. Pope
978-1-118-09563-8
Not for resale Brad Graham
About HP
HP is the leader for driving new technology to volume. HP,
one of the world’s largest technology companies, simplifies
the technology experience for consumers and businesses
with a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing,
software, services, and IT infrastructure. More information
about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at www.hp.com.
Infrastructure matters. It’s the foundation for all the

information and applications of your business. Server
memory is one of the most critical components — even
the slightest defect can result in downtime that could shut
down your business. HP server memory can increase and
improve the functionality of your servers and data centers.
DDR3
FOR
DUMmIES ‰
2ND HP SPECIAL EDITION
by Bill Howard, Reza Bacchus,

Eric L. Pope, and Brad Graham
These materials are the copyright of Wiley Publishing, Inc. and any
dissemination, distribution, or unauthorized use is strictly prohibited.
01_9781118095638-ffirs.indd
_9781118095638-ffirs.indd i 5/6/11 7:04 PM
DDR3 For Dummies®, 2nd HP Special Edition
Published by
Wiley Publishing, Inc.
111 River Street
Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
www.wiley.com
Copyright © 2011 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or trans-
mitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, record-
ing, scanning or otherwise, except as permitted under Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976
United States Copyright Act, without the prior written permission of the Publisher.
Requests to the Publisher for permission should be addressed to the Permissions
Department, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030, (201) 748-
6011, fax (201) 748-6008, or online at http://www.wiley.com/go/permissions.
Trademarks: Wiley, the Wiley Publishing logo, For Dummies, the Dummies Man
logo, A Reference for the Rest of Us!, The Dummies Way, Dummies.com, Making
Everything Easier, and related trade dress are trademarks or registered trademarks
of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and other coun-
tries, and may not be used without written permission. HP and the HP logo are
trademarks of Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. All other trademarks
are the property of their respective owners. Wiley Publishing, Inc., is not associ-
ated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book.
LIMIT OF LIABILITY/DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY: THE PUBLISHER AND THE AUTHOR MAKE
NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE ACCURACY OR
COMPLETENESS OF THE CONTENTS OF THIS WORK AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM ALL
WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION WARRANTIES OF FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE. NO WARRANTY MAY BE CREATED OR EXTENDED BY SALES OR
PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS. THE ADVICE AND STRATEGIES CONTAINED HEREIN MAY NOT
BE SUITABLE FOR EVERY SITUATION. THIS WORK IS SOLD WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT
THE PUBLISHER IS NOT ENGAGED IN RENDERING LEGAL, ACCOUNTING, OR OTHER
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES. IF PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE IS REQUIRED, THE SERVICES OF A
COMPETENT PROFESSIONAL PERSON SHOULD BE SOUGHT. NEITHER THE PUBLISHER NOR
THE AUTHOR SHALL BE LIABLE FOR DAMAGES ARISING HEREFROM. THE FACT THAT AN
ORGANIZATION OR WEBSITE IS REFERRED TO IN THIS WORK AS A CITATION AND/OR A
POTENTIAL SOURCE OF FURTHER INFORMATION DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE AUTHOR OR
THE PUBLISHER ENDORSES THE INFORMATION THE ORGANIZATION OR WEBSITE MAY
PROVIDE OR RECOMMENDATIONS IT MAY MAKE. FURTHER, READERS SHOULD BE AWARE
THAT INTERNET WEBSITES LISTED IN THIS WORK MAY HAVE CHANGED OR DISAPPEARED
BETWEEN WHEN THIS WORK WAS WRITTEN AND WHEN IT IS READ.
For general information on our other products and services, please contact our
Business Development Department in the U.S. at 317-572-3205. For details on how
to create a custom For Dummies book for your business or organization, contact
[email protected]. For information about licensing the For Dummies brand for
products or services, contact BrandedRights&[email protected].
ISBN: 978-1-118-09563-8
Manufactured in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
01_9781118095638-ffirs.indd
_9781118095638-ffirs.indd ii 5/6/11 7:04 PM
Table of Contents
Introduction ......................................................1
Part I: Getting to Know DDR3 ............................3
Why DDR3 ...........................................................................................3
Choosing a DIMM Type .....................................................................6
Installation ........................................................................................12
Memory Protection .........................................................................12
Identifying HP DIMMs......................................................................13
DIMMs per Channel Restrictions ...................................................15
HP Part Number Matters (Not Vendor Name) ............................16
Part II: Populating the Server ..........................17

Population Rules – Intel Xeon 5500 and 5600 Series Servers .....18
Populating Alphabetically ..............................................................21
Population Rules – AMD Opteron 6100 Series Servers ...............23
Populating Alphabetically – AMD Servers ....................................27
Population Rules – 4-Way Intel Servers .......................................30
Populating Alphabetically ..............................................................35
Population Rules – 4-Way AMD Servers .......................................38
Part III: Ten Common Questions about DDR3 .....39

There’s Nothing about Music at All — What Gives? ...................39
What Is DDR3 Memory? ..................................................................40
What Does the 3 Stand For? And What’s the Big Deal?...............40
How Many Kinds of DDR3 Memory Are There? ...........................40
Which Do I Want, RDIMM or UDIMM? ...........................................41
Is RDIMM or UDIMM Greener? .......................................................41
Which Works in Which HP ProLiant G6 and G7 Server?.............42
How Else Could I Mess Up? ............................................................42
Is There a DDR4? ..............................................................................42
Why Should I Buy DDR3 Memory from HP? .................................43
02_9781118095638-ftoc.indd
2_9781118095638-ftoc.indd iii 5/6/11 7:04 PM
Publisher’s Acknowledgments
We’re proud of this book and of the people who worked on it. For
details on how to create a custom For Dummies book for your
business or organization, contact [email protected]. For details
on licensing the For Dummies brand for products or services, con-
tact BrandedRights&[email protected].
Some of the people who helped bring this book to market include
the following:
Acquisitions, Editorial, Composition Services

and Media Development Project Coordinator:
Project Editor: Jennifer Bingham Kristie Rees
Editorial Manager: Rev Mengle Layout and Graphics:
Claudia Bell,
Business Development
Samantha K. Cherolis
Representative: Karen Hattan
Proofreader: Jessica Kramer
Custom Publishing Project
Specialist: Michael Sullivan
Publishing and Editorial for Technology Dummies

Richard Swadley, Vice President and Executive Group Publisher
Andy Cummings, Vice President and Publisher
Mary Bednarek, Executive Director, Acquisitions
Mary C. Corder, Editorial Director
Publishing and Editorial for Consumer Dummies

Diane Graves Steele, Vice President and Publisher, Consumer
Dummies
Composition Services
Debbie Stailey, Director of Composition Services
Business Development
Lisa Coleman, Director, New Market and Brand Development
03_9781118095638-flast.indd
3_9781118095638-flast.indd iv 5/6/11 7:03 PM
Introduction
W elcome to DDR3 For Dummies, 2nd HP Special

Edition, a book with everything you need to
know about DDR3, or Double Data Rate 3 memory,
the latest generation high-speed memory for the HP
ProLiant G6 and G7 servers. This new edition discusses
memory population rules for AMD Opteron 6100 series
and Intel Xeon 4-way servers and introduces new
topics such as low voltage memory and LRDIMMs.
About This Book

This book is comprised of three parts:
✓ Part I: Getting to Know DDR3. Here you’ll dis-
cover what’s new about DDR3 and how it com-
pares to DDR2. You’ll learn about the two main
types of DDR3: RDIMM (Registered DIMM) for per-
formance and maximum memory capacity, and
UDIMM (Unregistered DIMM) for price perfor-
mance. You’ll learn how to identify DDR3 DIMMs
and understand per-channel restrictions.
✓ Part II: Populating the Server. There are guide-
lines for getting the best performance, and there
are also rules about what works and what doesn’t.
You ought to follow the guidelines and you can’t
break the rules. And there’s new information on
AMD-based servers.
✓ Part III: Ten Common Questions about DDR3.
This part finishes off the book with some common
questions.
04_9781118095638-intro.indd
4_9781118095638-intro.indd 1 5/6/11 7:03 PM
2
Terms Used in This Book

Before we get started, here are three acronyms (abbrevia-
tions) you’ll see a lot in this book. They describe types of
DDR3 memory. DIMM stands for dual inline memory
module, and it’s a memory module where the connectors
(gold fingers) are different (electrically separated) on the
front and back (whereas a SIMM, or single inline memory
module, has the same connectors on the front and back,
sort of like teeth on a comb). RDIMM and UDIMM are both
types of DIMMs, of course. RDIMM is registered DIMM,
and it has a register or buffer that puts less of an electri-
cal load on the system’s memory controller. UDIMM is
unbuffered DIMM, and, smart reader that you are, you’re
probably guessing that RDIMM might be more versatile
and UDIMM is more cost-effective. For more on the two
different types of DIMM, see Part I.
Icons Used in This Book

This book uses icons to alert you to geeky, useful, and
important factoids. The icons are:
This icon alerts you to extra information that
helps you make sense of some of the more
technical aspects of the part.
This icon points out helpful and useful

information.
This icon points out super-important

information.
04_9781118095638-intro.indd
4_9781118095638-intro.indd 2 5/6/11 7:03 PM
Part I
Getting to Know DDR3
In This Part
▶ Exploring DDR3
▶ Choosing between UDIMM and RDIMM
▶ Exploring some nuts and bolts
A new generation of servers arrived in 2009 with new

CPUs. To maximize their performance, they used —
required — a new version of memory, called DDR3.
Spelled out, DDR3 SDRAM is shorthand for double-data-
rate 3, synchronous dynamic random access memory. This
is, as you might rightly expect, the third generation of
SDRAM where the memory uses each of the two phases of
the clock to achieve the double data rate. DDR3 is capable
of supporting more than twice the bandwidth of DDR2.
Why DDR3
You’ll be happy to know DDR3 continues the pace of
energy efficiency. DDR2 ran at 1.8 volts, but the first
DDR3 modules run at 1.5 volts. DDR3 is now available at
1.35 volts (commonly referred to as DDR3L). In terms
of power consumed (watts), DDR3 is good for up to
25 percent improvement over DDR2. And DDR3 low volt-
age memory consumes roughly 15 to 20 percent less
power than DDR3 standard 1.5 volts.
05_9781118095638-ch01.indd
5_9781118095638-ch01.indd 3 5/6/11 7:03 PM
4
Future DDR3L enhancements may drive power con-
sumption even lower, into the ultra-low voltage range.
Speed matters. DDR3 helps make servers faster and
more powerful. There are several reasons why you
want DDR3 and not DDR2 or DDR (beyond the fact that
memory slots are notched differently so you have to
install the correct DIMMs). Here’s why:
✓ High performance. DDR3 enables memory to run
up to twice the speed of DDR2, which in turn had
twice the speed of the initial DDR (what you might
retroactively think of as DDR1). So in the span of
less than a decade, DDR memory has improved
the speed by 2 x 2 x 2, or by a factor of 8 times.
At the same time, DDR3 continues to increase
memory bandwidth beyond 2x that of DDR2.
Latency versus bandwidth is like quick versus
fast. A car may do 0 to 60 in 3.5 seconds (latency)
but has a top speed of 100 mph (bandwidth).
(Okay, a car as described may not sound very
likely, but it’s just an illustrative example.)
✓ Low power. That’s right, this is another less fill-
ing, tastes great story. The 1.5-volt DDR3 supply
cuts power consumption by up to 25 percent over
DDR2 memory, which ran at 1.8 volts. Eagle-eyed
math wizards will notice that’s a 12.5 percent
drop in voltage, but we can explain: Other things
are happening as well, and the power draw,
expressed in watts, is down by about 25 percent.
And wait, there’s more. Future versions of DDR3
may reduce the operating voltage even further.
Does anybody remember when memory ran on 5
volts and the drop to 3 volts was breathtaking?
Now we’re down to 1.35 volts. How low can we go?
05_9781118095638-ch01.indd
5_9781118095638-ch01.indd 4 5/6/11 7:03 PM
5
DDR3 for HP
A few things make HP memory stand out:
✓ DDR3 memory was initially launched with 1.5 volts but
1.35 volts was added for Intel Xeon 5600 series, AMD
Opteron 6100 series, and recently the Intel Xeon E7 family
4-way servers. Memory sizes are 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB,
16GB, and 32GB depending on the platform.
✓ On HP servers, ProLiant G6 and G7 platforms with Intel
and AMD processors support DDR3 RDIMM and UDIMM
but not mixed in the same unit. Four-way servers only
support DDR3 RDIMM.
✓ All HP servers support Advanced ECC for better data
integrity.
✓ For Intel-based HP servers, maximum capacity with
RDIMM is as high as 384GB for 2P servers and now 2TB
for 4P servers. Maximum capacity with UDIMM is 48GB
for 2P servers.
✓ For AMD-based HP servers, maximum capacity with RDIMM
is currently 256GB for 2P servers and 512GB for 4P servers.
Maximum capacity with UDIMM is 64GB for 2P servers.
✓ Memory modules carry a one-year warranty or assume
the longer warranty of the server they’re inside.
HP DDR3 option kits contain a single DIMM module.
✓ Higher bandwidth. Server support for DDR3

runs up to 1333MT/s. DDR3 server architectures
provide for a greater number of simultaneous
memory accesses (more channels), which
increases overall memory bandwidth.
05_9781118095638-ch01.indd
5_9781118095638-ch01.indd 5 5/6/11 7:03 PM
6
Some in the industry refer to MHz as MT/s (mega-
transfers per second). For a 667MHz clock the data
transfer rate is 1333MT/s, hence double data rate.
✓ High density. DDR3 allows you to increase the
memory footprint in your server with more DIMM
slots.
✓ Runs cooler. Improved thermal characteristics
allow each DIMM to run at lower temperatures.
DDR3 runs cooler than DDR2.
When selecting DDR3 memory, options include:
✓ RDIMM (performance, maximum capacity) or
UDIMM (generally more affordable, lower power)
✓ 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, and now 32GB RDIMM mod-
ules; 1GB, 2GB, and 4GB UDIMM modules
✓ DDR3 speeds 1333, 1066, 800 MT/s
✓ DIMM speed depends on CPU capability, DIMM
capability, and DIMMs installed
✓ ECC (error-correcting code)
Additional rules apply for HP servers. For details, see
the sidebar “DDR3 for HP.”
Choosing a DIMM Type

DDR3 comes in two main flavors, sort of like chocolate
and vanilla. There’s the all-powerful RDIMM, or registered
DIMM. You can get more performance through massive
memory footprints of up to 2TB in some cases. RDIMMs
provide the same data error detection and correction
supported by UDIMMs and also provide improved
memory address error detection. The term register
DIMM (it has a register) rather than registered DIMM (like
05_9781118095638-ch01.indd
5_9781118095638-ch01.indd 6 5/6/11 7:03 PM
7
a registered guest) might be less confusing, but that’s
the way the terminology is used.
Then there’s the bang-for-the-buck UDIMM, or unbuf-
fered DIMM that consumes less power than equivalent
RDIMMs in small memory footprints.
In the choice between RDIMMs and UDIMMs,
the general rule is that RDIMMs are for larger,
more powerful servers where you want more
memory capacity and the best-possible level of
error checking and error correction. UDIMMs
are generally for smaller servers where afford-
ability is important and yet you still get error
correction. (Note that you can buy UDIMMs
with no ECC, such as for gamer desktop PCs,
but these aren’t suitable for server applica-
tions. The server won’t be damaged, but it
won’t boot, either.) For a quick look at the com-
parisons between the two types, see Table 1-1.
Read this book and if you are still not sure, go with
RDIMM for more flexibility.
By the way, you have to choose one DIMM
type. You can’t mix and match RDIMM and
UDIMM inside the same server. What happens
if you mix? The server won’t boot.
Table 1-1 Choices in Memory Technology

RDIMMs UDIMMs
Capacities 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, 1GB, 2GB, 4GB
16GB, 32GB
Maximum DIMMs 3 dual rank 2 dual rank
per channel
(continued)
05_9781118095638-ch01.indd
5_9781118095638-ch01.indd 7 5/6/11 7:03 PM
8
Table 1-1 (continued)

RDIMMs UDIMMs
Low power option 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 4GB
32GB
Address error Yes No
detection
Lower cost No Yes, most of the
time
Ranks/DIMM 1, 2, 4 1, 2
support
DRAM support ×4, ×8 ×8
Maximum server Intel: 384 (18 slots) Intel: 48 (12 slots)
capacity (at and 2TB (64 slots) AMD: 64 (16 slots)
introduction) AMD: 256 (24
slots) and 512GB
(48 slots)
Registered DIMM (RDIMM)

RDIMM stands for registered dual in-line memory module.
Of the two flavors of DDR3 memory, this is the more
capable (compared to UDIMM). It’s generally the right
choice for higher-end servers where you need lots of
RAM and the highest-possible reliability. The RDIMM
has a register integrated to capture and retransmit sig-
nals locally. As a result, the system sees only one load
per address line instead of 9, 18, or 36. RDIMM allows
loading of more memory in servers. RDIMM provides
greater reliability at a slight cost in performance of one
clock cycle to affected signals.
05_9781118095638-ch01.indd
5_9781118095638-ch01.indd 8 5/6/11 7:03 PM
9
Comparing DDR3 to DDR2

DDR3 has it all over DDR2 on performance, speed, good
looks, you name it. Here’s a quick rundown:
✓ Speed: DDR3 runs at twice the speed of DDR2, which ran
twice as fast as DDR, which . . . you get the idea.
Basically, memory needs to be faster to keep up with
ever-faster CPUs, and that’s where DDR3 comes in.
✓ Power: The first memory chips ran at 5 volts. Over the
years, voltage needs dropped. DDR3 chips run at 1.5
volts, while DDR2 chips ran at 1.8 volts. Low-voltage
DDR3L memory is now down to 1.35 volts. That translates
to over 70 percent in power savings alone since DDR2.
We’ve come a long way!
RDIMM is architected to resolve capacity problems.

You can add more memory and keep the DIMM count
low. Quad-rank DIMMs allow for higher capacity per
DIMM. RDIMMs allow for 1, 2, or 4 ranks/DIMM support.
For Intel and AMD servers, there can be a maximum of
8 ranks per channel (two 4-rank DIMMs per channel).
Rank is a group of DRAM chips that are
ganged together to provide 64 bits of data on
the memory bus (72 bits wide if you’re using
ECC memory). Each chip in the rank provides
4 bits (x4 chips, pronounced “by four”) or 8
bits (x8) of data. To have the 64-bit data
bus, you need ranks of 16 x 4 or 8 x 8 chips.
(Or 18 or 9 for ECC memory.) DDR3 supports
05_9781118095638-ch01.indd
5_9781118095638-ch01.indd 9 5/6/11 7:03 PM
10
single-, dual-, and quad-rank DIMMs. A quad-
rank DIMM, for example, has four sets or ranks
of DRAM chips on the module.
RDIMM can be used in most HP servers (ML110 and
MicroServer only support UDIMM). Capacities are 2GB,
4GB, 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB. In an 18-slot server, you
could have as much as 384GB of DDR3 RDIMM installed.
Unbuffered DIMM (UDIMM)

Unbuffered DIMM or UDIMM represents a more cost-
effective approach. The full name is unbuffered dual in-
line memory module. Sometimes UDIMM is also called
unregistered DIMM, which is also correct, since UDIMMs
lack the register of RDIMMs. (And sometimes you’ll see
it spelled as U-DIMM. Take your pick.) Their uses
extend beyond servers. Some workstation PCs employ
DDR3 UDIMMs, and some ultimate gamers use DDR3
UDIMMs for performance.
All UDIMMs used in HP ProLiant servers are —
must be — ECC UDIMMs. ECC stands for error-
correcting code. That’s one more thing to
remember, and not mess up, for people trying to
save a few bucks shopping for memory outside
HP. If non-ECC memory is installed in an HP
server, the server won’t boot.
ECC UDIMM can be used for low-end server seg-
ments. It’s generally for lower price, smaller
memory capacity, entry-level servers that
employ only one or two DIMMs per channel.
05_9781118095638-ch01.indd
5_9781118095638-ch01.indd 10 5/6/11 7:03 PM
11
Load reduced DIMM (LRDIMM)

It’s worth a brief mention about load reduced DIMM or
LRDIMMs. The vast majority of server customers will choose
RDIMMs and UDIMMs, but some customers want massive
memory expansion without sacrificing performance when
loading up to three DIMMs per channel (DPC).
LRDIMM’s main advantage is to increase capacity by fooling
the memory controller to think there are fewer ranks per
channel. How do they do this? The register on RDIMMs is
expanded to buffer the data bus in addition to the address/
command bus. This reduces the electrical load to the memory
controller. This buffer is called (you guessed it) a load reduc-
tion (LR) buffer or memory buffer (MB). The LR Buffer lets a
quad rank DIMM look like a dual rank DIMM to the memory
controller. LRDIMMs allow up to three DIMMs per channel
since that’s still below the eight rank per channel limit. In
summary, greater capacity using fewer ranks. Pretty cool
stuff for those fascinated by DDR3.
One main drawback is that you can’t mix LRDIMMs with
either RDIMMs or UDIMMs. It’s all or nothing. LRDIMMs are
for folks who want absolute maximum capacity and increased
performance. When they are available, LRDIMMs may be
supported on HP servers.
05_9781118095638-ch01.indd
5_9781118095638-ch01.indd 11 5/6/11 7:03 PM
12
Installation
Installing DDR3 memory is physically easy, especially
since the slots are color-coded on most HP servers.
Memory slots are colored white and black, the white
slots being where you install the first memory module
on each channel. It does take a bit of advance work, but
not a lot.
Memory Protection
ProLiant G6 and G7 servers offer several levels of
memory protection (see Table 1-2):
✓ ECC or error-correction code is the fundamental
form of ProLiant memory protection. Parity, as in
parity error (you very occasionally get parity
errors on a desktop PC), tells you something
went wrong, as in wrong and it can’t be made
unwrong. ECC is based on advanced mathemat-
ics, and there’s a fancy formula to tell you how
much you need (log2(N)+1 where N is the number
of data bits) or this simple explanation: To pro-
tect 64 bits of data, you need 8 redundant bits.
How good is it? ECC memory can detect and cor-
rect single-bit errors (the vast majority), can
detect double-bit errors, and might detect (sorry,
no guarantee) errors greater than double-bit.
✓ Advanced ECC (multiple-bit error detection) is
ECC on steroids, except in this case steroids are
good and won’t get you tossed out of the
Olympics. Advanced ECC requires 16 redundant
bits to protect a 128-bit word. It’s able to detect
and correct up to 4 data bits. With Advanced ECC,
you can protect against the loss of a single DRAM
05_9781118095638-ch01.indd
5_9781118095638-ch01.indd 12 5/6/11 7:03 PM
13
device. The data bus is divided into groups of 4
bits each, and any group can have all 4 bits in
error so long as the other groups are okay. It’s
able to detect 2-bit errors occurring in different
groups. If 4-bit-wide DRAMs are used, then one
DRAM represents one group on the bus.
✓ Mirrored memory protection is just like a mir-
rored hard disk drive. You have twice as much as
you need. Half is configured as system memory,
and half is mirrored memory. Data is written to
both places. Reads are from the system memory
unless — you’ve probably guessed this — there’s
an uncorrectable system error.
Table 1-2 Advanced Memory Protection

Basic ECC HP Advanced
Technology ECC
Technology
Device failure protection No Yes
Industry-standard DIMMs Yes Yes
Hot plug No No
Failed DIMM -replacement Offline Offline
Memory expansion Offline Offline
Additional memory expense 0% 0%
Identifying HP DIMMs
Here’s how to read the fine print on product selector
guides (see Figure 1-1 for a visual). HP certified
memory will have these markings, from left to right:
05_9781118095638-ch01.indd
5_9781118095638-ch01.indd 13 5/6/11 7:03 PM
14
CAS latency
Rank 7 = 7-7-7
1R=single Memory Type DIMM Type 8 = 8-8-8
2R=dual E = unbuffered with ECC 9 = 9-9-9
4R=quad
PC3 = DDR3 R = registered Future speeds may be two digits
HP ggggg eRxff PC3v-wwwwwm-aa-bb-ccd Kit
Capacity
1GB
Data width Voltage Module Bandwidth Special
x8 = 8 Blank = 1.5V 8500 MB/s (DDR3-1066) Descriptor (if
2GB x4 = 4 L = 1.35V needed)
10600 MB/s (DDR3-1333)
4GB LP (low power)
8GB
16GB
Figure 1-1: DDR3 part number description format.
✓ HP indicates it’s HP-approved memory being sold

through an HP channel or direct from HP
✓ ggggg indicates the capacity, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, or 32 GB
✓ eR indicates rank, 1R (single), 2R (dual), or 4R
(quad)
✓ xff is the data width, x8 = 8 bit, x4 = 4 bit
✓ PC3 is the memory type, PC3 being DDR3
✓ v is the voltage, 1.5V if blank, L being 1.35V
✓ wwwwww is the module bandwidth, 8500MB/s =
DDR3-1067, 10600MB/s = DDR3-1333
✓ m is the DIMM type, E for unbuffered ECC, R for
registered
✓ aa is CAS latency (column address strobe, or
DRAM real time in bus clocks), 7=7-7-7, 8=8-8-8,
9=9-9-9 (note that future speeds may use a two-
digit indicator)
05_9781118095638-ch01.indd
5_9781118095638-ch01.indd 14 5/6/11 7:03 PM
15
✓ bb-ccd is a special descriptor if needed, for exam-
ple, LP for low power
✓ Kit at the end indicates it’s an HP kit (and remem-
ber that with DDR3 there’s one module per kit,
not two)
For example, 500670-B21 HP 2GB 2Rx8 PC3-10600E-9
Kit indicates an HP DIMM with a 2GB capacity, dual
rank, a data width of 8, memory type of DDR3, 10600
unbuffered ECC, 9-9-9 latency, and an HP kit.
DIMMs per Channel Restrictions

A memory channel refers to DIMM slots tied to the same
wires on the CPU. Multiple memory channels allow for
faster operation, theoretically allowing memory opera-
tions to be up to four times as fast. Dual channel archi-
tecture with 64-bit systems provides a 128-bit data path.
Memory is installed in banks, and you have to follow a
couple of rules to optimize performance. With the HP
Intel 5500 and 5600 series ProLiant G6 and G7 servers,
there are three channels from each processor. HP AMD
Opteron 6100 series have an extra fourth channel for
each processor. Four CPU servers have eight channels
per processor, all of which is covered in Part II.
You can install up to two UDIMMs per channel or
three RDIMMs per channel in both HP Intel 5500/5600
ProLiant series and HP AMD Opteron 6100 series
ProLiant servers. Population rules must be followed
or errors will occur. That is:
✓ Same DIMM type; RDIMM and UDIMM can’t be
mixed
✓ Same size is recommended for performance;
however, it is possible to mix capacities
05_9781118095638-ch01.indd
5_9781118095638-ch01.indd 15 5/6/11 7:03 PM
16
✓ Same speed
✓ Same technology (DDR3); DDR and DDR2 modules
won’t fit, physically, in a DDR3 socket
Channel rules and restrictions are covered in more
detail in Part II.
HP Part Number Matters

(Not Vendor Name)
When buying memory through HP, remember that
DIMMs do not have to be from the same vendor.
DIMMs are JEDEC standard. All DIMMs sourced
through HP pass HP memory qualification tests.
In brief: If the HP part number is the same, the DIMMs
are compatible.
05_9781118095638-ch01.indd
5_9781118095638-ch01.indd 16 5/6/11 7:03 PM
Part II
Populating the Server
In This Part
▶ Knowing rules to follow (and why)
▶ Populating in the proper order
I n this part, we go over the nitty-gritty about populat-

ing the memory slots. The rules may seem over-
whelming at first. Some rules you have to follow to
make sure the server runs. Others you want to follow
to optimize performance. The rules vary depending on
whether you’re installing UDIMMs or RDIMMs and how
many memory slots your server has. Some are pretty
obvious, at least in hindsight, like not installing
memory connected to the second processor if you’ve
only got one CPU in your server.
What’s new in this latest edition includes information
on how to populate DDR3 memory for AMD, which
besides the extra memory channel per processor,
begins with populating the channel and slot farthest
from the processor. Then we spend some time review-
ing the memory population rules for 4 way servers.
06_9781118095638-ch02.indd
6_9781118095638-ch02.indd 17 5/6/11 7:03 PM
18
What follows here is wisdom likely to survive the ages,
or at least the next couple years, but always check
online for the best and latest.
For more information and the latest information on
configuring your HP server with DDR3 memory, go to
www.hp.com/go/ddr3memory-configurator.
Population Rules – Intel

Xeon 5500 and 5600
Series Servers
These are the key rules to follow when populating
memory slots on ProLiant Intel–based G6 and G7 serv-
ers. This is not the complete list but covers most HP
ProLiant servers. Rules for 4, 6, and 16 slot servers
(ML110, DL120, DL170 respectively) can be found in the
HP QuickSpecs (http://h18000.www1.hp.com/
products/quickspecs). Also see Figure 2-1.
For servers with 18 memory slots:
✓ There are three DIMM slots for each memory
channel; 18 total slots (two CPU servers).
✓ There are two DIMM slots for each memory
✓ There are three DIMMs slots for each memory
channel; 9 total slots (one CPU server).
For all Intel-based ProLiant G6 and G7 servers, with
either 12 or 18 slots:
06_9781118095638-ch02.indd
6_9781118095638-ch02.indd 18 5/6/11 7:03 PM
19
✓ There are three channels per processor; six
channels per server in two-CPU servers.
✓ Memory Channel 1 comprises the three DIMMs
closest to the processor. Memory Channel 3
comprises the three DIMMs farthest from the
processor.
✓ Populate the white DIMM slots first.
✓ Don’t mix UDIMMs with RDIMMs.
✓ Don’t install DIMMs if there’s no corresponding
processor installed. If there’s only one CPU in a
two-CPU system, only half the DIMM slots are
available.
✓ You can have up to eight ranks installed per
channel.
✓ You can install two quad-rank DIMMs per channel.
✓ To maximize performance, balance the memory
capacity among installed processors.
✓ Go wide before deep across the processors;
spread DIMMs across channels, starting farthest
from the CPU.
✓ Load the channels identically if possible.
✓ Populate DIMMs from heaviest load (quad-rank)
to lightest load (single-rank) within a channel. The
heaviest load (DIMM with most ranks) within a
channel goes farthest from the chipset.
06_9781118095638-ch02.indd
6_9781118095638-ch02.indd 19 5/6/11 7:03 PM
DIMM TYPE -> Registered Dimms (RDIMMS) ECC DIMMs
06_9781118095638-ch02.indd
20
Single
6_9781118095638-ch02.indd 20
DIMM Rank -> Rank Dual Rank (2R) Quad Rank (4R) Dual Rank (2R)
DIMM Capacity -> 4GB 2GB 8GB 16GB 16GB 32GB 2GB 4GB
DIMM Native Speed (MHz) -> 1333 1333 1333 1333 1066 1066 1333 1333
Voltage LV/Std Std LV/Std LV Std LV Std LV/Std
SLOTS THAT CAN BE POPULATED

9 slot servers 9 9 9 9 6 6 6 6
12 slot servers 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12
16 slot servers 16 16 16 16 12 12 12 12
18 slot servers 18 18 18 18 12 12 12 12
Maximum Capacity (GB)

9 slot servers 36 18 72 144 96 192 12 24
12 slot servers 48 24 96 192 192 384 24 48
Figure 2-1: Memory options for HP DDR3.

16 slot servers 64 32 128 256 192 384 24 48
18 slot servers 72 32 144 288 192 384 24 48
POPULATED DIMM SPEED (MHz)

1 DIMM Per Channel 1333 1333 1333 1333 1066 1066 1333 1333
2 DIMM Per Channel 1066/1333* 1333 1066/1333* 1066/1999* 800 800 1333 1333
3 DIMM Per Channel 800** 800** 800** 800** n/a n/a n/a n/a
*2DPC: Std voltage DIMMS run at 1333. By default, LV DIMMS run at Std voltage (1.5V) and operate at 1333. For power savings,
RBSU can be changed to operate at 1066 and run at 1.35V.
** 3DPC: LV Std voltage runs at 800
5/6/11 7:03 PM
21
If you’re installing UDIMMS:
✓ You can install only two UDIMMs per channel;
if available, the third slot in the channel must
remain empty. (RDIMMs can use all three.)
✓ For memory mirroring mode, Channel 3 must be
unpopulated. Channels 1 and 2 are populated
identically.
Other Intel population notes:
✓ For lock-step mode, Channel 3 must be unpopu-
lated. DIMMs in Channels 1 and 2 will be installed
in pairs. The paired slots will be 1,4; 2,5; 3,6 on a
3DPC system or 1,3; 2,4 on a 2DPC system.
✓ Mixing voltage is allowed, but DIMMs will run at
the higher of the two voltages.
✓ Mixing DIMM speeds is allowed, but DIMMs will
run at the slower of the two speed ratings.
Populating Alphabetically
To populate your server most efficiently, it’s best to
first populate channels that are farthest away from the
processor. So for a 12 DIMM slot server, you’d first
populate the second slot in Channel 1, then the fourth
slot in Channel 2, and finally, the sixth slot in Channel
3. The rules are similar for 18 DIMM slots.
For a quick guide on how to populate your slots for a
12 DIMM slot server, check Table 2-1. Install DIMMs in
alphabetical order. So look at the Population Order
column. You’d install into the A slot first, installing into
Slot 2, then place B into slot 4 and so on down the
alphabet. The rules are the same for CPU1 and CPU2.
06_9781118095638-ch02.indd
6_9781118095638-ch02.indd 21 5/6/11 7:03 PM
22
Table 2-1 12 DIMM Slots CPU1 and CPU2

Slot # Population Order
Channel 1 1 D
2 A
Channel 2 3 E
4 B
Channel 3 5 F
6 C
For a quick guide on how to populate your slots for an

18 DIMM slot server, check Table 2-2. Install DIMMs in
alphabetical order. So look at the Population Order
column. You’d install into the A slot first, installing into
slot 3, then place B into slot 6, and so on down the
alphabet. The rules are the same for CPU1 and CPU2.
Table 2-2 18 DIMM Slots for CPU1 and CPU2

Channel 1 1 G
2 D
3 A
06_9781118095638-ch02.indd
6_9781118095638-ch02.indd 22 5/6/11 7:03 PM
23

Channel 2 4 H
5 E
6 B
Channel 3 7 I
8 F
9 C
Much more information is available via the HP DDR3

online configuration tool: www.hp.com/go/
ddr3memory-configurator.
Population Rules – AMD

Opteron 6100 Series Servers
Because AMD servers have an extra memory channel
per CPU, the rules, though similar in principle, are
fairly unique. This section goes over the key rules to
follow for HP ProLiant G7 2 CPU servers using the AMD
Opteron 6100 series processor. Also see Figure 2-2.
✓ There are two DIMM slots for each memory
06_9781118095638-ch02.indd
6_9781118095638-ch02.indd 23 5/6/11 7:03 PM
DIMM TYPE -> Registered Dimms (RDIMMS) ECC DIMMs
06_9781118095638-ch02.indd
24
DIMM Rank -> Single Rank Dual Rank (2R) Rank (4R) Dual Rank (2R)
6_9781118095638-ch02.indd 24
DIMM Capacity -> 4GB 2GB 8GB 16GB 2GB 4GB
DIMM Native Speed (MHz) -> 1333 1333 1333 1066 1333 1333
Voltage LV/Std Std LV/Std Std Std Std

16 slot servers 16 16 16 16 16 16
24 slot servers 24 24 24 8 24 24

16 slot servers 64 32 128 256 32 64
24 slot servers 96 48 192 256* 32 64

1 DIMM Per Channel 1333 1333 1333 1066 1333 1333
2 DIMM Per Channel 1333 1333 1333 1066 1333 1333
3 DIMM Per Channel 1066/1333** 1333 800/1066** n/a n/a n/a
*This capacity is achieved by loading one 16GB in center socket and remaining sockets with 8G DIMMs
** 3DPC: LV runs at 800; Std voltage runs at 1066
Figure 2-2: Memory Options for HP DDR3 – AMD 2 CPU servers.
5/6/11 7:03 PM
25
For all ProLiant G7 servers (AMD), 16 or 24 slot:
✓ There are four channels per processor; eight
channels per server in a two-CPU server.
✓ Memory channel 1 comprises the three DIMMs
furthest from the processor. Memory channel 4
comprises the three DIMMs closest to the
processor.
✓ Don’t mix UDIMMs with RDIMMs.
✓ You can only have up to eight ranks installed per
channel.
✓ If only one processor is installed (in two proces-
sor systems), only half of the DIMM sockets are
available. The same applies in a two processor
configuration in a four-processor-capable system.
For AMD servers with 16 slots:
✓ Within a channel, populate DIMM slot 1 (furthest
from processor) then 2 should be populated in
that order.
✓ Heaviest load (DIMM with most ranks) within a
channel goes furthest from the chipset.
✓ Up to two QR DIMMs can be put on each channel.
06_9781118095638-ch02.indd
6_9781118095638-ch02.indd 25 5/6/11 7:03 PM
26
For AMD servers with 24 slots:
✓ Within a channel, populate DIMM slot 1 (furthest
from processor), then 3 (closest to processor),
then 2 (middle) should generally be populated in
that order unless QR is present.
✓ Heaviest load (DIMM with most ranks) within a
channel goes furthest from the chipset.
✓ Up to one QR DIMM can be put on each channel
(center slot). If present, this slot could be popu-
lated out of order and DIMM slot 1 and DIMM slot
3 should be installed in that order.
To maximize performance, balance the memory capac-
ity among installed processors:
✓ Go wide before deep across the processors;
spread DIMMs across channels, starting farthest
from the CPU.
✓ Load all channels on a processor similarly if
possible.
✓ Load all installed processors in a system similarly
if possible.
If you’re installing UDIMMs:
✓ Only two UDIMMs per channel can be installed.
For 3 slot per channel servers, the middle channel
remains empty.
Other AMD population notes:
06_9781118095638-ch02.indd
6_9781118095638-ch02.indd 26 5/6/11 7:03 PM
27
✓ For online spare mode, the DIMM with the largest
size rank (one quarter of the capacity of a QR
DIMM, one half the capacity of a DR DIMM or the
entire capacity of a SR DIMM) will have one rank
assigned as a spare and not available to the
customer.
✓ Mixing voltage is allowed, but DIMMs will run at
the higher of the two voltages
✓ Mixing DIMM speeds is allowed, but DIMMs will
run at the slower of the two speed ratings.
Populating Alphabetically –
AMD Servers
To populate your AMD server most efficiently, it’s best
to populate channels that are furthest away from the
processor. So for a 16 DIMM slot server, for each CPU
you’d first populate the first slot in Channel 1, then the
fifth slot in Channel 3, then the third slot in Channel 2,
and so on.
For a quick guide to what order to populate your slots
for a 16 DIMM slot server, check out Table 2-3. Install
DIMMS in alphabetical order. So look at the Population
Order column. You’d install into the A slot first, install-
ing into slot 1, then place B into slot 5, and so on down
the alphabet. The rules are the same for CPU1 and
CPU2.
06_9781118095638-ch02.indd
6_9781118095638-ch02.indd 27 5/6/11 7:03 PM
28
Table 2-3 16 DIMM Slots CPU1 and CPU2

Channel 1 1 A
2 E
Channel 2 3 C
4 G
Channel 3 5 B
6 F
Channel 4 7 D
8 H
For a quick guide to what order to populate your slots

for a 24 DIMM slot server, check on Table 2-4. Install
DIMMS in alphabetical order. So look at the Population
Order column. You’d install into the A slot first, install-
ing into slot 1, then place B into slot 7, and so on down
the alphabet. The rules are the same for CPU1 and
CPU2.
06_9781118095638-ch02.indd
6_9781118095638-ch02.indd 28 5/6/11 7:03 PM
29
Table 2-4 24 DIMM Slots for CPU1 and CPU2

Channel 1 1 A
2 I
3 E
Channel 2 4 C
5 K
6 G
Channel 3 7 B
8 J
9 F
Channel 4 10 D
11 L
12 H

online configuration tool: www.hp.com/go/ddr3
memory-configurator.
06_9781118095638-ch02.indd
6_9781118095638-ch02.indd 29 5/6/11 7:03 PM
30
Population Rules – 4-Way

Intel Servers
The latest Intel Xeon-EX processor benefits from a
NUMA architecture (NUMA stands for Non-Uniform
Memory Architecture), which gives each processor
greater access to the memory.
But for even greater memory bandwidth, each Intel
Xeon E7 family and 6500/7500 series processor gets
help from two memory controllers that each employ
two memory buffers (sometimes referred to as BoB or
buffer on board). Each BoB supports 4 DIMM sockets
and so a single processor can access 16 DIMMs. For a
visual, see Figure 2-3.
Processor 1
Memory Controller 1 Memory Controller 2
Buffer 1 Buffer 2 Buffer 3 Buffer 4
5D 7C 4D 2C 5D 7C 4D 2C
6B 8A 3B 1A 6B 8A 3B 1A
Memory Channels 1 - 4 Memory Channels 5 - 8
(BL680c G7, BL620c G7) (BL680c G7, BL620c G7)
Memory Cartridge 1 Memory Cartridge 2
(DL580 G7) (DL580 G7)
Figure 2-3: Intel XEON EX memory architecture.
06_9781118095638-ch02.indd
6_9781118095638-ch02.indd 30 5/6/11 7:03 PM
31
These are the key rules to follow when populating
memory slots on ProLiant Intel Xeon-EX based servers.
(Also see Figure 2-4).
For servers with 64 slots:
✓ DL580 G7: There are two DIMM slots per channel,
4 channels per cartridge; 2 cartridges per CPU;
total 64 slots on a four CPU server.
✓ BL680c G7: There are two DIMM slots per channel;
8 channels per CPU; total 64 slots on a four CPU
server.
For servers with 32 slots:
✓ BL620c G7: There are two DIMM slots per channel;
8 channels per CPU; total 32 slots on a two CPU
server.
For all servers using the Intel-EX processors:
✓ DIMMs should be installed in pairs with identical
characteristics (same density, speed, and rank). In
other words, HP recommends using DIMMs with
identical part numbers for each pair. This helps
achieve maximum performance.
✓ DIMM pairs must be populated in sequence by
letter designation. For example, install DIMM pair
(1A, 8A) first, followed by DIMM pair (3B, 6B),
then DIMM pair (2C, 7C) and so on.
✓ The minimum configuration is two DIMMs per car-
tridge (or channel). Running in Lockstep, DIMM
pairs offer more memory protection for increased
memory fault resiliency.
06_9781118095638-ch02.indd
6_9781118095638-ch02.indd 31 5/6/11 7:03 PM
32
✓ Highest rank DIMMs should be installed in the white
connector locations, which are farthest from the CPU.
✓ Failure to follow these rules may result in memory
errors, reduced memory performance, or even the
inability to recognize memory.
✓ UDIMMs are not supported
✓ Low voltage 1.35v DIMMs are supported on the
Intel Xeon processor E7 family only. Note: Low
voltage DIMMs aren’t supported on the Intel
Xeon 6500 and 7500 series processors.
06_9781118095638-ch02.indd
6_9781118095638-ch02.indd 32 5/6/11 7:03 PM
DIMM TYPE -> Registered Dimms (RDIMMS)
06_9781118095638-ch02.indd
DIMM Rank -> Single Rank Dual Rank (2R) Rank (4R)
6_9781118095638-ch02.indd 33
DIMM Capacity -> 4GB 2GB 8GB 16GB 16GB 32GB
DIMM Native Speed (MHz) -> 1333 1333 1333 1333 1066 1066
Voltage LV/Std Std LV/Std LV Std LV

32 slot servers 32 32 32 32 24 24
64 slot servers 64 64 64 64 48 64

32 slot servers 128 64 256 512 512 1TB
64 slot servers 256 128 512 1024 1024 2TB

1 DIMM Per Channel 1066 1066 1066 1066 1066 1066
2 DIMM Per Channel 1066 1066 1066 1066 1066 1066
All DIMM configurations are rated at 1066. However, actual speed is dependent on highest possible speed
for a given processor. Memory speed is a function of the processors QPI bus speed.
33
Figure 2-4: Memory Options for HP DDR3 – Intel 4 CPU servers.
5/6/11 7:03 PM
34
Hemisphere mode
To maximize performance (called Hemisphere mode) on Intel
Xeon-EX servers:
✓ Hemisphere mode is enabled when processors in the
system have identical DIMM population behind both of
their memory controllers.
✓ To achieve maximum memory bandwidth performance,
populate both memory controllers for each installed
processor.
✓ Minimum recommended DIMM count is eight DIMMs
installed in DIMM pair locations A, B, C, and D on each
installed processor. In other words, populate at least
four DIMMs per channel or cartridge.
✓ Greater performance is obtained when all memory con-
trollers are populated with either four or eight dual- or
quad-rank DIMMs.
✓ Maximum throughput is achieved when all DIMM slots
are fully populated with the maximum number of eight
quad-rank DIMMs per memory controller.
✓ Hemisphere mode is controlled via an RBSU option,
enabling the user to select either automatic (default) or
disable.
✓ In automatic mode, the BIOS enables Hemisphere mode
if the system memory configuration is compatible with
Hemisphere mode.
✓ Hemisphere mode should produce the best overall per-
formance for a variety of applications. However,
06_9781118095638-ch02.indd
6_9781118095638-ch02.indd 34 5/6/11 7:03 PM
35
Hemisphere mode can be disabled if it produces lower

performance for a particular application.
✓ Mirrored Memory mode isn’t supported when
Hemisphere mode is enabled.
✓ Much more detailed information is available in the HP
ProLiant DL580 G7 and BladeSystem BL680c G7 and
B620c G7 User Guides.
Populating Alphabetically
For a quick reference on how to populate a 64 DIMM
slot server (the DL580 G7) using cartridges, see Figure
2-5. So look at the Population Order column. You’d
install both As in slots 1 and 8 first, then install Bs in
slots 3 and 6, then Cs in slots 2 and 7, and Ds in slots 4
and 5. The population order is the same for all eight
cartridges.
For a quick reference on how to populate a 32 and 64
DIMM slot server (BL620c G7 and BL680c G7), see
Figure 2-6. Look at the Population Order column. You’d
install into the As in slot 4 and 5, then install Bs in slots
12 and 16, Cs in slots 2 and 7, Ds in slots 10 and 14, and
so on. These rules apply to both the 32 socket DL620c
G7 and 64 slot BL680c G7 servers.
06_9781118095638-ch02.indd
6_9781118095638-ch02.indd 35 5/6/11 7:03 PM
CPU 1 CPU 2 CPU 3
06_9781118095638-ch02.indd
Population Population Population
36
Slot # Slot # Slot #
Order Order Order
6_9781118095638-ch02.indd 36
Cartridge 1 1 A Cartridge 3 1 A Cartridge 5 1 A
2 C 2 C 2 C
3 B 3 B 3 B
4 D 4 D 4 D
5 D 5 D 5 D
6 B 6 B 6 B
7 C 7 C 7 C
8 A 8 A 8 A
Population Population Population

Slot # Slot # Slot #
Order Order Order
Cartridge 2 1 A Cartridge 4 1 A Cartridge 6 1 A
2 C 2 C 2 C
3 B 3 B 3 B
4 D 4 D 4 D
5 D 5 D 5 D
Figure 2-5: 64 DIMM Slots with Cartridges CPU1-CPU4.

6 B 6 B 6 B
7 C 7 C 7 C
8 A 8 A 8 A
5/6/11 7:03 PM
37
Population
Order
D
H
H
G
G
A
A
C
B
E
F
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Slot #
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Channel 5
Channel 6
CPU 3
Population
Order
D
H
H
G
G
A
A
C
B
E
F
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Slot #
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Channel 3
Channel 4
CPU 2
Population
Order
D
H
H
G
G
A
A
C
B
E
F
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Slot #
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Channel 1
Channel 2
CPU 1
Figure 2-6: 32 and 64 DIMM Slots for CPU1–CPU4.
06_9781118095638-ch02.indd
6_9781118095638-ch02.indd 37 5/6/11 7:03 PM
38
The DL580 G7 uses cartridges BL680c/BL620c
use DIMM slots to populate the DIMMs. All
require DIMMs to be populated in pairs.
Population Rules – 4-Way

AMD Servers
Thankfully, populating the 4-Way AMD servers is fairly
straightforward. You install them just like the 2P serv-
ers discussed earlier in the “Population Rules — AMD
Opteron 6100 series servers” section, except there are
twice as many processors.
For BL685 G7 servers with 32 slots:
✓ There are two DIMM slots for each memory chan-
nel; 4 channels per CPU; 32 total slots (on a four
CPU server)
For DL585 G7 servers with 48 slots:
channel; 4 channels per CPU; 48 total slots (four
CPU server)
online configuration tool at www.hp.com/go/
ddr3memory-configurator.
06_9781118095638-ch02.indd
6_9781118095638-ch02.indd 38 5/6/11 7:03 PM
Part III
Ten Common Questions
about DDR3
In This Part
▶ Figuring out what DDR3 is
▶ Deciding between RDIMM and UDIMM
▶ Knowing what mistakes to avoid
T he Top Ten part is a For Dummies tradition. In this

part, we answer some of your most pressing ques-
tions. All the wisdom you need, in a nutshell.
There’s Nothing about Music

at All — What Gives?
You’re looking for a book about Dance Dance
Revolution. A different kind of DDR!
07_9781118095638-ch03.indd
7_9781118095638-ch03.indd 39 5/6/11 7:03 PM
40
What Is DDR3 Memory?

DDR is a form of SDRAM (synchronous dynamic
random access memory), dynamic meaning it forgets
what’s stored when you pull the power plug, unlike
ROM or firmware.
What Does the 3 Stand For?

And What’s the Big Deal?
This is the third iteration of double data rate memory,
each twice as fast (data transfer rate) as the previous.
Before there was DDR2 there was DDR, which some
now call DDR1. The primary benefit of DDR3 memory
lies in its ability to transfer I/O data at eight times the
data rate of the memory cells it contains.
How Many Kinds of DDR3

Memory Are There?
Two major kinds, with various speed and voltage
options. There’s RDIMM (registered DIMM) in 2GB, 4GB,
8GB, 16GB, and 32GB modules. UDIMM (unregistered
DIMM, sometimes called unbuffered DIMM) comes in
1GB, 2GB, and 4GB modules. There are versions running
at 1333, 1067, and 800 MHz. The first RDIMMs worked at
1.5V, with 1.35V added later. The standard allows for
individual DDR3 chips of 512Mb to 8Gb, which trans-
lates to modules of up to 32GB.
07_9781118095638-ch03.indd
7_9781118095638-ch03.indd 40 5/6/11 7:03 PM
41
LRDIMM (load reduced DIMM) is really a third kind of
niche memory geared toward high density memory
modules for customers who want the absolute maxi-
mum memory footprint and performance. Like RDIMMs
versus UDIMMs, you can’t mix LRDIMMs with either
RDIMMs or UDIMMs.
Which Do I Want, RDIMM

or UDIMM?
RDIMM is your choice for capacity (up to 384GB in a
qualified 18-slot Intel server) and advanced ECC (error
correction) support. UDIMM is suitable for smaller-
capacity needs (up to 48GB in a 12-slot Intel server)
with lower price points. Basically: big server, RDIMM;
entry server, UDIMM; not sure, RDIMM.
Is RDIMM or UDIMM Greener?

Both use lower voltage and thus less power than
DDR2. DDR2 operated at 1.8 volts. DDR3 runs at 1.5
volts and 1.35 volts. The power savings between DDR2
and DDR3 amounts to about 30 percent fewer watts
consumed, and it’s more than just the mathematical
difference between 1.8 and 1.5 volts. And the differ-
ence between DDR3 standard versus low voltage is
another 15 to 20 percent power savings, which can
really add up for larger data centers. Between RDIMM
and UDIMM, UDIMM uses a bit less power because it
has no register chip.
07_9781118095638-ch03.indd
7_9781118095638-ch03.indd 41 5/6/11 7:03 PM
42
Which Works in Which HP

ProLiant G6 and G7 Server?
RDIMM works in all HP servers, except for the ML110
and MicroServer, which are limited to UDIMM.
How Else Could I Mess Up?

You can’t mix and match RDIMMs and UDIMMs in the
same machine. In some cases you can’t install single
DIMM banks. UDIMMs must be ECC (error correcting
code) UDIMMs, although when you configure through
HP, the only UDIMM configurations you’ll see will be
ECC UDIMMs. And you can’t use DDR2 memory in
ProLiant Intel 55XX G6 platform servers: DDR2 doesn’t
fit because of lockout notch, first of all, and if by some
brute-force quirk you were to seat the memory without
breaking something (you can’t), there would be techno-
logical differences.
Is There a DDR4?
You had to ask! DDR memory evolves in cycles of two
to four years, so you might expect a DDR4 technology
early in the next few years. But it’s not out now and
shouldn’t affect current planning and implementation.
DDR3 will last well into the next-generation HP ProLiant
servers.
07_9781118095638-ch03.indd
7_9781118095638-ch03.indd 42 5/6/11 7:03 PM
43
Why Should I Buy DDR3

Memory from HP?
It’s possible to find DDR3 RAM from sources other than
HP. Being the largest buyer of DRAM on the planet, HP
has the ability to choose and qualify only the highest-
quality DRAM. The memory HP rejects doesn’t get
scrapped but instead, gets resold to other OEMs and
third party module manufacturers. HP Memory is
tested, tuned, and optimized on HP ProLiant branded
servers, not just test equipment. This ensures utmost
reliability and reduces memory errors related to board
level signal integrity issues. HP stands behind the
memory it recommends and sells. It can take on the
warranty of the server attached for up to three years. If
there’s a performance issue, you don’t suffer from mul-
tiple-vendor finger pointing. For more information on
HP Qualified Server Memory or other HP Qualified
Options visit www.hp.com/go/hpqo.
07_9781118095638-ch03.indd
7_9781118095638-ch03.indd 43 5/6/11 7:03 PM
44
07_9781118095638-ch03.indd
7_9781118095638-ch03.indd 44 5/6/11 7:03 PM

An Updated Version With Everything You Need To Know About DDR3s!

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

An Updated Version With Everything You Need To Know About DDR3s!

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

An Updated Version With Everything You Need To Know About DDR3s!

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

P

An updated version with

Infrastructure matters. It’s the foundation for all the

2ND HP SPECIAL EDITION

by Bill Howard, Reza Bacchus,

Part II: Populating the Server ..........................17

Part III: Ten Common Questions about DDR3 .....39

Acquisitions, Editorial, Composition Services

Publishing and Editorial for Technology Dummies

Publishing and Editorial for Consumer Dummies

W elcome to DDR3 For Dummies, 2nd HP Special

About This Book

Terms Used in This Book

Icons Used in This Book

This icon points out helpful and useful

This icon points out super-important

A new generation of servers arrived in 2009 with new

✓ Higher bandwidth. Server support for DDR3

Choosing a DIMM Type

Table 1-1 Choices in Memory Technology

Table 1-1 (continued)

Registered DIMM (RDIMM)

Comparing DDR3 to DDR2

RDIMM is architected to resolve capacity problems.

Unbuffered DIMM (UDIMM)

Load reduced DIMM (LRDIMM)

Table 1-2 Advanced Memory Protection

HP ggggg eRxff PC3v-wwwwwm-aa-bb-ccd Kit

Figure 1-1: DDR3 part number description format.

✓ HP indicates it’s HP-approved memory being sold

DIMMs per Channel Restrictions

HP Part Number Matters

I n this part, we go over the nitty-gritty about populat-

Population Rules – Intel

SLOTS THAT CAN BE POPULATED

Maximum Capacity (GB)

Figure 2-1: Memory options for HP DDR3.

POPULATED DIMM SPEED (MHz)

Table 2-1 12 DIMM Slots CPU1 and CPU2

For a quick guide on how to populate your slots for an

Table 2-2 18 DIMM Slots for CPU1 and CPU2

Slot # Population Order

Much more information is available via the HP DDR3

Population Rules – AMD

SLOTS THAT CAN BE POPULATED

Maximum Capacity (GB)

POPULATED DIMM SPEED (MHz)

Figure 2-2: Memory Options for HP DDR3 – AMD 2 CPU servers.

Table 2-3 16 DIMM Slots CPU1 and CPU2

For a quick guide to what order to populate your slots

Table 2-4 24 DIMM Slots for CPU1 and CPU2

Much more information is available via the HP DDR3

Population Rules – 4-Way

Memory Controller 1 Memory Controller 2

Buffer 1 Buffer 2 Buffer 3 Buffer 4

Figure 2-3: Intel XEON EX memory architecture.

SLOTS THAT CAN BE POPULATED

Maximum Capacity (GB)

POPULATED DIMM SPEED (MHz)