HP ML350 Technology and architecture of HP ProLiant Intel-based 300-series G6 - Page 8

Processor SKU determines the ability of ProLiant G6 servers to run DDR-3 memory at a top speed of 1333 MT/s. The processor SKU also dictates the range of speeds possible in different DIMM per channel (DPC) configurations. DIMM operating speeds are also subject to memory slot configuration and whether the server in question has 12 or 18 slots. Table 1 displays DIMM speeds possible in 300-series G6 servers with a Xeon X5500 (95W) or W5500 (130W) processor. Table 1. DDR-3 memory options on 300-series G6 servers supporting Xeon 5500 Series processors running at 95W or 130W DIMM Type Capacity (GB) Rank PC3-8500R RDIMM 4 quadrank Max. data rate in MT/s DIMMs per channel (DPC) 1 DPC 2 DPC in 18 slots 1066 800 2 DPC in 12 slots 800 3 DPC in 18 slots N/A PC3-8500R RDIMM 8 dual-rank 1066 1066 1066 800 PC3-10600R RDIMM 2 dual-rank 1333 1333 1333 800 PC3-10600R RDIMM 4 dual-rank 1333 1333 1333 800 PC3-10600R RDIMM 8 dual-rank 1333 1333 1333 800 PC3-10600E UDIMM 1 singlerank 1333 1066 1333* N/A PC3-10600E UDIMM 2 dual-rank 1333 1066 1333* N/A * UDIMMs will not run at 1333 MT/s data rates with two DIMMs per channel on systems that support three DIMM sockets per channel. Support for 1333 MT/s data rate with two DIMMs may require a ROM upgrade. A BIOS setting on select ProLiant 300-series G6 servers allows the PC3-10600R memory modules to run at 1333 MT/s with two DIMMs per channel. HP design and testing have produced system boards with signal integrity that can operate at 1333 speeds in this configuration without degradation. Only HP branded DIMMS have been fully validated to operate at this speed. Therefore, HP does not recommend configuring the BIOS setting for 1333 MT/s data rates with two DIMMs per channel when using third-party DIMMs, because they may not meet HP's stringent design requirements. With two DIMMs per channel, operating the memory at 1333 MT/s is supported only on select 300series G6 servers using the Xeon 5500 Series processors operating at 95W or 130W. The HP ProLiant DL320 G6 cannot take advantage of this unique HP feature as it does not support the 95W or 130W processors. Memory Mirroring with DDR3 ProLiant 300-series G6 servers support memory mirroring, which protects the system against uncorrectable memory errors that would otherwise result in a system hang or crash. Mirroring occurs when all memory is written to both sets of physical memory in channels one and two. Administrators can configure memory mirroring through RBSU. To implement mirroring with DDR-3, the two memory channels must be populated identically. The third memory channel must be empty. If an uncorrectable error occurs, the system automatically directs the read to the mirrored location to obtain the correct data. The OS does not revert to Advanced ECC Mode until the DIMM is replaced and the server rebooted. Since each mirrored DIMM is one of a pair, one DIMM can be protected by mirroring while another is degraded. As a result, even after mirroring is degraded by a DIMM failure, the other DIMM in the mirrored pair is still protected by Advanced ECC. For help with configuring DDR-3 memory in ProLiant G6 servers, use the DDR-3 Memory Configuration Tool found at http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/servers/options/tool/hp_memtool.html. 8