Dell PowerEdge 2970 - Manual (Page 91)

Installing System Components
91
System Memory
You can upgrade your system memory to a maximum of 32 GB (for a one-processor configuration) or
64 GB (for a two-processor configuration) by installing 667-MHz registered parity DDR-II memory
modules (DIMMs) in sets of 512-MB, 1-GB, 2-GB, 4-GB, or 8-GB (when available) modules. The
memory sockets are located on the system board under the cooling shroud and are split into two separate
groups of four sockets each. Each four-socket group is adjacent to its respective processor.
Your system hardware supports Non-Uniform Memory Architecture (NUMA). Each processor has its own
memory controller and local memory for reduced access times, but it can also access memory from
another processor. This architecture improves system performance if an operating system is installed that
supports this feature.
NOTICE:
To enable NUMA, run the System Setup program and disable the Node Interleaving option. See "Using
the System Setup Program" on page 37.
General Memory Module Installation Guidelines
To ensure optimal performance of your system, observe the following guidelines when configuring your
system memory.
• Memory must be installed in configurations of two, four, or eight DIMMs. The minimum
configuration for a two-processor system is four DIMMs.
• DIMMs must be installed in matched pairs of identical speed, technology, and size in the following
pairs of sockets:
– DIMM 1 and DIMM 2
– DIMM 3 and DIMM 4
– DIMM 5 and DIMM 6
– DIMM 7 and DIMM 8
• Minimum configurations must occupy the lower-numbered sockets (DIMM 1 and DIMM 2 for a one-
processor configuration and also DIMM5 and DIMM6 for a two-processor configuration).
• Within a DIMM group, a pair of DIMMs of one size can be mixed with a pair of DIMMs of a different
size (N+3, or up to three DIMM sizes larger). Larger capacity DIMMs must occupy the lower-
numbered sockets.
Table 3-1 shows the available memory configurations following these guidelines.