Datasheet

Intel
®
Server Board S5000PAL/S5000XAL TPS Functional Architecture
Revision 2.0
Intel order number: D31979-011
19
3.1.3.4 Non-mirrored mode memory upgrades
The minimum memory upgrade increment is two DIMMs per branch. The DIMMs must cover the
same slot position on both channels. DIMMs pairs must be identical with respect to size, speed,
and organization. DIMMs that cover adjacent slot positions do not need to be identical.
When adding two DIMMs to the configuration shown in Figure 13, the DIMMs should be
populated in DIMM slots C1 and D1 as shown in the following diagram.
Populated DIMM slots
are shown in Grey.
TP02301
DIMM D2
DIMM D1
DIMM C2
DIMM C1
DIMM B2
DIMM B1
DIMM A2
DIMM A1
Branch 0
MCH
Channel A
Channel B
Channel D
Channel C
Branch 1
Figure 14. Recommended Four DIMM Configuration
Functionally, DIMM slots A2 and B2 could also have been populated instead of DIMM slots C1
and D1. However, your system will not achieve equivalent performance. Figure 13 shows the
supported DIMM configuration that is recommended because it allows both memory branches
from the MCH to operate independently and simultaneously. FBD bandwidth is doubled when
both branches operate in parallel.
3.1.3.4.1 Mirrored Mode Memory Configuration
When operating in mirrored mode, both branches operate in lock step. In mirrored mode, branch
1 contains a replicate copy of the data in branch 0.
The minimum DIMM configuration to support
memory mirroring is four DIMMs, populated as shown in Figure 14 above. All four DIMMs must
be identical with respect to size, speed, and organization.
To upgrade a four DIMM mirrored memory configuration, four additional DIMMs must be added
to the system. All four DIMMs in the second set must be identical to the first with the exception
of speed. The MCH will adjust to the lowest speed DIMM.