So, I've got a new motherboard coming and I've found some memory for a decent price, however I'm not 100% sure on if it's compatible due to the terms used.
The board I'll be using is the Intel S5520SC. The technical specifications at ( http://download.intel.com/support/motherboards/server/s5520sc/sb/e39530010_s5520sc_tps_r1_7.pdf ) say it can support registered DIMMs using x4 or x8 DRAM with 1Gb and 2Gb technology, however there is no support for 2Gb based 2GB or 4GB DIMMs (so 1Gb based would work I assume).
The memory I'm wanting to use is Hynix's HMT151R7BFR4C-G7 4GB sticks, the documentation for which is here ( https://www.skhynix.com/inc/pdfDownload.jsp?path=/datasheet/pdf/module/ds_1Gb_DDR3(B-ver)based_RDIMMs(Rev1.1).pdf ) This says the "Organization" is 512MB x72 which would be 4Gb based, but then for "Component Composition" is says 128MBx8*36 which would be 1Gb based.
Can anyone confirm whether it will work? My guess would be yes, I have no idea what the x4 and x8 refer to but I notice that the component composition part also has x8, so if it's referring to that then it's also 1Gb.
I'm not asking specifically about ECC, I just added that to the title so that people know this is an issue related to ECC memory and doesn't usually apply to non-ECC RAM.
It sounds like you have never bought non compatible server ram before and that is great because I am going to save you from being pissed off (learned from my mistakes). He (NickF) is talking about ECC ram. There is registered (buffered) and unregistered (un-buffered) ECC or UDIMM and RDIMM modules they are both different and generally can not be mixed. Some boards dont except both your does atlease that is what the white paper is stating. Registered or Buffered ram has a chip on the module that regulates it and is only compatible with certain boards. I do not think the organization is as important as the specs since modules change their layout as they improve the manufacturing process. Ram with different capacities are all going to have different layout configurations. From what you posted it looks like it requires registered ECC modules all the ones that are compatible on my sheet say 1333 all have the same timings and latency of 9 and a voltage of 1.5 and rank 1 2 or 4 for RDIMM. They have 1 2 4 8 gb modules available. Registered ram is not recommended for gaming because it adds latency. I would not buy it since the specs don't match (CL7 not CL9) if this is your first server build my best advice is server ram is very specific to the board in most cases something like voltage or timing that could be adjusted on a gaming board bois will usually never be accessible on a server bios. I found several modules all cheaper than what you were looking at and that link only has 2 in stock and I am assuming you need more than 8gb of ram right?
use this business they have a no hassle return policy and the modules are $20 cheaper
I know that you can't mix R and U DIMMS, I don't know where you think I'm trying to buy them from as I never posted a link to that but they have more than enough available for me to make sure they're all the same (I'll be getting 6 for a total of 24GB).
My issue is that the docs for the motherboard state it only supports 1Gb and 2Gb "technology", what ever that means, only for x4 and x8 DIMMS (again, no idea what the number refers to), and doesn't support 2Gb based 2/4GB DIMMS (I assume "based" is the same as "technology" here).
Now the sticks I'm looking at buying are 4GB so we can rule out the 2Gb thing even if they are x4/8, so they need to be 1Gb "based/technology". The trouble is I don't know whether these terms refer to the "organization", which would be 4Gb, or the "component composition", which would be 1Gb. All I need is someone who understands these terms and confirm my assumptions are correct and that the RAM is compatible.
EDIT: Just realised I've been misreading the table int he Hynix docs, thinking the model number ended in 8C-G7 and not 4C-G7. The ones I'm actually looking at getting are 256MBx4*36 under "component composition", so even if that is the section I'm looking for they're going to be 2Gb based and so incompatible according to the motherboard docs.
I've got a feeling I may end up having to fill all 12 slots with 2GB sticks and forgot about leaving any room for upgrading in the future.
. Sorry i must have looked at link i went to about the ram while i was doing free research for you :D x4 x8 is referring to the rank and if i indulge you in what it means your going to be even more frustrated. Screw it I will the chip set is 64 bit so an x8 ECC RDIMM would have 9 chips 8 8 bit chips and one control chip. a x4 would have 18 chips 16 4 bit chips and 2 control chips ( i may be wrong but i think the control chips take 8 dram chips each). The number of chips is the bit # divided by 64 plus 1 for every 8 chips. Now im confused you owe me a coffee lol. Just buy the certified working ram with no hassle returns from the link i provided before your head explodes lol. The new confusing question is can you install 6 or do you need 2,4,8,12
I've found some Samsung M393B5173EHD-CF8 4GB sticks, a little cheaper too, however I can't find any documentation on them. All I can find is http://www.memoryten.com/p/027083.htm which has "128x8" in the description and also "36c". So, my guess would be that this refers to what Hynix calls the "component composition" and so it would be 128MBx8*36, which in turn could perhaps mean than they're 1Gb "based/technology" and thus compatible with my board.
I can't buy from that link, I'm not based in America.
Are you certain the x4 and x8 refers to the rank? Because the board only support single, double and quad rank (no quad with UDIMMS, and only x8) and it's a separate bullet point to the x4 and x8. My best guess would be the x4 and x8 refer to the amount of "chips" per rank, for example 8x1Gb (the max in a 4GB stick) is 1GB, times four ranks would give 4GB. The part I'm looking at in the Intel doc is section 3.3.2.
Im going to help you till we get you what you need. you are persistent and I respect that
they also say r4 x8 but its too fast a freq for quad rank you need rank 1 or 2 for 1333
the 1gb 2 gb is referring to the dram size 4x512 is 2 gb you need to use lower than 4x512 or 8x256 on 2 or 4 gb modules
your document states
– x 4 or x8 DRAM with 1 Gb and 2 Gb technology - no support for 2 Gb DRAM based 2 GB or 4 GB RDIMMs – DDR3 1333 (Single- and Dual-Rank only), DDR3 1066, and DDR3 800
so its quad rank or rank 4 and x8 great. 36c is the number of chips you'll have 32 chips each = 128mb and 4 ECC controllers one for each 8 chips.
you need CL9
where do you live maybe I can find you some that ships to your country
I'm not hugely fussed over the CL, nor the frequency (so 1066 is also alright), the lower the price the better as that's going to affect me more. Not sure if you're getting mixed up somewhere but the lower the CL the better and the Samsung sticks being CL7 I don't think I'm going to get any lower.
I provided links above this post just now. You want CL9 and the frequency is dependent on the Rank value. those links i provided should be a sure shot.
They are registered or buffered RDIMMs. They are 1 gb Dram based (256x4=1024) in 4 gb modules. They are 36c so 32 chips and 4 ECC controllers. They are CL9 they are rank 2 x4 and 1333 mhz. This is a green light if the white paper is accurate. Now there is a revision notes section some of them vaguely pertaining to memory but at this point your going to have to install them and cross your fingers on that. From what I read it should be fine. Put a good word in for me at the Tek forum :D Why companies say im under qualified cause I have an Assoc degree is beyond me I wish they asked these questions during interviews :)
Only 1333 is single and dual rank only, the Samsung sticks are 1066 so fine being quad rank.
Why do you say I'd want CL9? Everything I've read said a lower latency is better and has no downsides, a higher latency is just a side effect of a higher frequency unless you pay a higher price.
That site you linked to is American, the prices are a little higher and then I'd have to pay import fees on top of that.
you want the timing to match the certified ram and when i researched it came up with CL9 only. Timings usually can not be adjusted in the server bios and is not always excepted by the auto detection. This is specific to server boards and does not apply to gaming rigs. The rank is 2 or dual so the freq is ok. I just used the link you provided and found the right ram it was the samsung memory link.
2 hours 14 minutes later lol I was grinding the whole time. This is exactly why companies don't build servers they buy them with drop down menus for options or just sign off on what ever the salesman recommends. Can I get a Wendell stamp of approval so I can rest easy tonight :)
There's no way I can afford to pay 3 times as much. I've ordered one of the Samsung sticks, I'll report back if it works okay and if so order the other 5.
Cheers, that helps a bit. Trouble is it's difficult to search for specific model numbers (especially when there's so many) but it will be handy for double checking ones I come across. The Samsung one I've ordered isn't in the list (a few very close model numbers though) even though it seems like it would be, will find out next week if it works or not.