Owners Manual

General memory module installation guidelines

This system supports Flexible Memory Configuration, you can configure and run the system in any valid

chipset architectural configuration. The following are the recommended guidelines for installing memory

modules:

• RDIMMs and LRDIMMs must not be mixed.

• x4 and x8 DRAM based DIMMs can be mixed.

• Up to three dual- or single-rank RDIMMs can be populated per channel.

• Up to three LRDIMMs can be populated per channel regardless of rank count.

• Populate DIMM sockets only if a processor is installed. For single-processor systems, sockets A1 to

A12 are available. For dual-processor systems, sockets A1 to A12 and sockets B1 to B12 are available.

• Populate all sockets with white release tabs first, then black, and then green.

• Populate the sockets by highest rank count in the following order — first in sockets with white release

levers, then black, and then green. For example, if you want to mix single-rank and dual-rank DIMMs,

populate dual-rank DIMMs in the sockets with white release tabs and single-rank DIMMs in the

sockets with black release tabs.

• When mixing memory modules with different capacities, populate the sockets with memory modules

with highest capacity first. For example, if you want to mix 4 GB and 8 GB DIMMs, populate 8 GB

DIMMs in the sockets with white release tabs and 4 GB DIMMs in the sockets with black release tabs.

• In a dual-processor configuration, the memory configuration for each processor should be identical.

For example, if you populate socket A1 for processor 1, then populate socket B1 for processor 2, and

so on.

• Memory modules of different capacities can be mixed provided other memory population rules are

followed (for example, 4 GB and 8 GB memory modules can be mixed).

• Mixing of more than two DIMM capacities in a system is not supported.

• Populate four DIMMs per processor (one DIMM per channel) at a time to maximize performance.

Sample memory configurations

The following tables show sample memory configurations for one and two processor configurations that

follow the appropriate memory guidelines.

Removing memory modules

Prerequisites

CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only

perform troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as

directed by the online or telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is

not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions

that are shipped with your product.

1. Ensure that you read the Safety instructions.

2. Follow the procedure listed in Before working inside your system.

3. Remove the cooling shroud.

4. If installed, remove the cooling-fan assembly. For more information, see Removing the cooling-fan

assembly.