Server memory

Bloodyskullz · 2017-05-10T18:42:45.000Z

Does the brand name really matter in this case? I normally don’t care when it comes to desktops as it all works the same but my knowledge with servers is limited (slowly expanding).

Like would HP memory work well in dell servers and vice versa? Or are they picky about it?

Also when did the prices for server memory go up? Its expensive as hell now. Trying to get 32GB kit for cheap doesn’t look feasible.

Thanks

scottalanmiller · 2017-05-10T18:45:14.000Z

Brand name does not matter. Compatibility does matter, there are many factors. But brand alone won’t be an issue.

Gary-D-Williams · 2017-05-10T18:55:19.000Z

Bloodyskullz:

Like would HP memory work well in dell servers and vice versa? Or are they picky about it?

Do you have the ability to order from a company like Crucial.co.uk? they make all sorts of memory types for reasonable prices.

trelstadtech · 2017-05-10T18:57:41.000Z

For servers I usually stick with Crucial or Kingston and use memory spec’d for the server/host. Every time I’ve tried to save a buck on RAM it’s come back to bite me in the butt.

tjclevenger · 2017-05-10T19:49:46.000Z

What Sid Phillips said. I use the memory configurator at the Kingston and Crucial websites to find the part number each of them carries, and then buy whichever is cheaper. Never had a compatibility problem.

For a lab or non-production server, you can always try used on eBay.

Rod-IT · 2017-05-10T19:52:07.000Z

Take a look at a similar question here, so long as type (DDR3, DDR4 etc.) and speed (PC3-10600) and type (Registered, Error Correcting, Parity etc.) match, you should be good

Different Types of RAM Hardware

I was looking at buying some RAM for a Dell PowerEdge 710 and was wondering what the differences between PC3-10600, PC3-10600R, PC3-10600H, and PC3L-10600R are... Assuming they're all Registered ECC, would they all be compatible? I've tried searching to find the differences but Google doesn't seem to like minor differences in strings.

Do not mix types, for example a LR DIMM will not work with a R DIMM or a U DIMM, make sure types are all the same, make sure your CPU supports the speed and type you order too

mike-kingston · 2017-05-10T20:05:58.000Z

Hi, Bloodyskullz,

OEMs (Dell, HP, IBM, Lenovo) don’t make memory, just like they don’t make processors, hard drives, power supplies, etc. They go to memory companies like Kingston, Micron (Crucial), Hynix, and Samsung, and have their brand name stickers put on them. So there is really no difference between “OEM” versus “3rd party” memory quality, so long as you go with a reputable memory supplier. Memory producers go by industry standards (JEDEC specifications). So in a perfect world, everything should work by spec. In rare circumstances OEM servers are picky with DRAM chips, but reputable memory companies test their DIMMs with specific server platforms in order to guarantee compatibility.

The memory industry has been in allocation, short supply, since June of 2016. This caused prices to skyrocket. There are still supply constraints, particularly on DDR4 server class DIMMs, which is why memory prices are ridiculous. Apologies for that, it’s a supply/demand thing.

Regards,

Mike

titusovermyer · 2017-05-10T22:10:40.000Z

Usually what is important in memory is that the kits are all the same spec’d like if you get 2133Mhz memory make sure the CAS Latency is also the same. I prefer to order matched pairs for servers. I like to make sure that the Dual-Quad Channels at least have a matching set even if i have multiple sets.

mike-kingston · 2017-05-10T22:36:16.000Z

Good point. You don’t really need to worry about checking CAS latency for server memory, as these are defined by JEDEC industry standards. For DDR4-2133 the CL is 15-15-15, and 2400 17-17-17. The only time CAS is going to change is if it’s an overclock, non-JEDEC spec high performance DIMM (think gaming). Those are only supported in client systems, like desktops/notebooks. Xeon processors won’t work with non-JEDEC DIMMs.

Matching DIMMs to complete a set for Dual, Triple, and Quad channel configurations is important to guarantee the server utilizes the full memory bandwidth. When four identical DIMMs are installed in Quad channel configuration, the bandwidth of all four modules are aggregated by the processor. DDR4-2133 DIMMs in Quad channel configuration on a 2P server can provide something like 100 GB/s of bandwidth to the processors. If you install a pair of DIMMs in a quad channel based server, these will only aggregate the bandwidth in dual channel. Installing an additional pair to complete the set, so long as they are the same spec, should be fine. Just be aware that if the DIMMs sets are different across the same bank, the server may notice these minor differences and toggle the modules to operate in dual or single channel operation. You would lose potential bandwidth and may not even be aware of it.

Mike

adrian_ych · 2017-05-11T07:11:57.000Z

I would like to say brand names does not matter…but when you bring up HP or even some models of Lenovo Servers…they matter !!!
Some of these manufacturer uses proprietary hardware (RAM, HDD, RAID cards etc) that must be HP and/or IBM/Lenovo certified… else they may not work or may have weird issues.

josephwoollacott · 2017-05-11T14:43:08.000Z

brand doesn’t matter but rank and data-width does

Bloodyskullz · 2017-05-11T15:08:41.000Z

Damn so its a little more complicated that the desktop side of things. Just buying anything as simple at dual channel ECC udimm memory wouldn’t suffice at the required speed (1333Mhz as an ex)?

mike-kingston · 2017-05-11T17:53:05.000Z

From an OEM perspective, they’re looking to make sure the components they put in their boxes are fully compatible, reliable, etc. Completely understandable, as they want to make sure you have a flawless piece of critical hardware for your DC. But since everything is standardized these days and customers are looking to shave costs, they lose margin when customers use 3rd party options. OEMs enforce this idea this by making it more and more difficult to use off the shelf, industry standard hardware. This helps them preserve their higher costs. But to say it’s proprietary isn’t necessarily true. Proprietary would imply it’s non-standard and doesn’t conform to JEDEC or other industry standard specs. So what some OEMs now do, like HP and Cisco, is program code onto their components, like DIMMs and SSDs, so the system management firmware/software recognizes them. If you’re using industry standard components that don’t have this identifying code, the server will flag it, and try to scare you into believing it’s not compatible, reliable, or may not feature options that the OEM equivalent has. These are marketing and scare tactics. The memory industry works off of specs and confirms these with Intel/AMD through platform and system validation . We’re all in agreement. So for memory, to say an HP or Dell or Cisco brand DIMMs are more compatible doesn’t make any sense. For reliability, that comes down to the quality of the memory company and how much testing they do with their DIMMs. Trust memory manufacturers that feature lifetime warranties and guarantee compatibility. And stick to channel vendors that are buying their DIMMs direct from the manufacturer or through approved distributors. Stuff on eBay or Amazon marketplace can be downgraded or counterfeit.

eboling · 2017-05-12T12:53:14.000Z

If you’re not using an OEM like Dell, HP or the like and are using something like a Super Micro or other ‘white box’ motherboard, check the memory compatibility & recommendations in their support section for the particular product. These will often give vendors and corresponding part numbers which have been qualified with the product and can be necessary if you end up needing support.

If you’re adding additional memory to an existing server, bear in mind the configuration/mode that the system is currently configured for and do your homework before you begin your downtime.