Installing a DIMM - IBM MAX5

The expansion blade has a total of 24 dual inline memory module (DIMM) connectors. The expansion blade supports 2 GB (Type 7873 models), 4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB (Type 7873 models), and 32 GB (Type 7873 models) memory DIMMs. Typically, you will install all memory supported by the BladeCenter HX5 blade server before installing memory in the IBM MAX5 expansion blade.

There are two versions of the IBM MAX5 expansion blade, referred to as the IBM MAX5 version 1 and IBM MAX5 version 2 in this document. IBM MAX5 version 2 has a "MAX5" identifying label on the bottom of the front bezel. The functionality of the two IBM MAX5 expansion blades are equivalent except the type of DIMMs supported. The type of DIMMs supported will differ, depending on the version of IBM MAX5 expansion blade installed.

Note: To ensure that all memory installed in the IBM MAX5 expansion blade is recognized by UEFI, make sure that you install a minimum of 2 DIMMs in the BladeCenter HX5 blade server.
The maximum memory speed is determined by the combination of the microprocessor, DIMM speed, DIMM type, and the Operating Modes in UEFI settings. When one quad-rank 16 GB or larger RDIMM is installed with one of the microprocessors listed in the following table, the 16 GB or larger RDIMMs operate at 1066 MHz. You cannot change the QPI Link Frequency to Minimal Power through System Settings > Processors > QPI Link Frequency.
Table 1. Quad-rank 16 GB RDIMM speed downshift configurations.

Description CRU part number
Intel Xeon E7-2830 Processor, 2.13GHz/24M/6.4GT/s, 8C, 105W 69Y3075
Intel Xeon E7-2850 Processor, 2.00GHz/24M/6.4GT/s, 10C, 130W 69Y3085
Intel Xeon E7-2860 Processor, 2.26GHz/24M/6.4GT/s, 10C, 130W 69Y3095
Intel Xeon E7-4830 Processor, 2.13GHz/24M/6.4GT/s, 8C, 105W 88Y6083
Intel Xeon E7-4850 Processor, 2.00GHz/24M/6.4GT/s, 10C, 130W 88Y6093
Intel Xeon E7-4860 Processor, 2.26GHz/24M/6.4GT/s, 10C, 130W 88Y6103
Intel Xeon E7-8837 Processor, 2.67GHz/24M/6.4GT/s, 8C, 130W 88Y6113
Intel Xeon E7-8867L Processor, 2.13GHz/30M/6.4GT/s, 10C, 105W 88Y6125
Intel Xeon E7-2870 Processor, 2.40GHz/30M/6.4GT/s, 10C, 130W 88Y6151
Intel Xeon E7-4870 Processor, 2.40GHz/30M/6.4GT/s, 10C, 130W 88Y6161

Depending on the memory mode that is set in the Setup utility, the expansion blade can support a minimum of 4 GB and a maximum of 768 GB of system memory. For a current list of supported DIMMs for the expansion blade, see thehttp://www.ibm.com/ servers/eserver/serverproven/compat/us/.

Memory must be installed in pairs of DIMMs. Observe the following rules with populating the IBM MAX5 expansion blade:
Table 2. DIMM population rules
DIMM Grouping A

All DIMMs in this group must be the same technology (DRAM size, such as 2 Gbit)
DIMM 1, DIMM 8 DIMM 2, DIMM 7 All DIMMs must be the same DRAM width (such as 4R x 8)
DIMM 3, DIMM 6 DIMM 4, DIMM 5 All DIMMs must be the same DRAM width (such as 4R x 8)
DIMM Grouping B

All DIMMs in this group must be the same technology (DRAM size, such as 2 Gbit)
DIMM 13, DIMM 17 DIMM 14, DIMM18 All DIMMs must be the same DRAM width (such as 4R x 8)
DIMM 15, DIMM 19 DIMM 16, DIMM 20 All DIMMs must be the same DRAM width (such as 4R x 8)
DIMM Grouping C

All DIMMs in this group must be the same technology (DRAM size, such as 2 Gbit)
DIMM 9, DIMM 21 DIMM 10, DIMM 22 All DIMMs must be the same DRAM width (such as 4R x 8)
DIMM 11, DIMM 23 DIMM 12, DIMM 24 All DIMMs must be the same DRAM width (such as 4R x 8)
Note:
  • Each DIMM pair must be the exact same size and speed. For example, DIMM 1 and DIMM 8 must be the same size and speed. DIMM 2 and DIMM 7 must be the same size and speed. However, DIMM 1 and DIMM 2 have to be the same technology, but they do not need to be the same size and speed.
  • When populating the IBM MAX5, use the DIMMs with the greatest size first. For example, install all 8 GB DIMMs before you install 4 GB DIMMs. Populate the DIMMs according to the DIMM population table for your environment. See Table 3 through Table 5 for the DIMM population order.

The installation order for DIMMs depends on whether you intend to optimize the DIMM installation for performance or for power saving.

The following table lists the memory configurations and installation order to optimize the IBM MAX5 for performance.

Table 3. System memory configuration for performance
Installed memory DIMM connector
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
2 DIMMs X             X                                
4 DIMMs X             X         X       X              
6 DIMMs X             X       X X       X             X
8 DIMMs X   X     X   X       X X       X             X
10 DIMMs X   X     X   X       X X   X   X   X         X
12 DIMMs X   X     X   X   X   X X   X   X   X     X   X
14 DIMMs X X X     X X X   X   X X   X   X   X     X   X
16 DIMMs X X X     X X X   X   X X X X   X X X     X   X
18 DIMMs X X X     X X X   X X X X X X   X X X     X X X
20 DIMMs X X X X X X X X   X X X X X X   X X X     X X X
22 DIMMs X X X X X X X X   X X X X X X X X X X X   X X X
24 DIMMs X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

The following table lists the memory configurations and installation order to optimize the IBM MAX5 for power saving.

Table 4. System memory configuration for power saving (uses a maximum of 8 DIMMs)
Installed memory DIMM connector
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
2 DIMMs X             X                                
4 DIMMs X   X     X   X                                
6 DIMMs X X X     X X X                                
8 DIMMs X X X X X X X X                                
Table 5. System memory configuration for mirroring with power savings (uses a maximum of 16 DIMMs). This configuration mirrors the DIMMs in DIMM Grouping A with the DIMMs in DIMM Grouping B.
Note: Mirroring is supported between DIMM pairs.
Installed memory DIMM connector
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
4 DIMMs X             X         X       X              
8 DIMMs X   X     X   X         X   X   X   X          
12 DIMMs X X X     X X X         X X X   X X X          
16 DIMMs X X X X X X X X         X X X X X X X X        

DIMM installation procedure

To install a DIMM, complete the following steps:

  1. Before you begin, read Safety and Installation guidelines.
  2. Read the documentation that comes with the DIMMs.
  3. Locate the DIMM connectors (see Blade server connectors - BladeCenter HX5). Determine the DIMM connector into which you will be installing memory.
  4. If another memory module is already installed in the DIMM connector, remove it (see Removing a DIMM - BladeCenter HX5).
  5. Touch the static-protective package that contains the DIMM to any unpainted metal surface on the BladeCenter unit or any unpainted metal surface on any other grounded rack component in the rack in which you are installing the DIMM for at least 2 seconds; then, remove the DIMM from its package.
  6. To install the DIMMs, repeat the following steps for each DIMM that you install.
    Graphic illustrating the installation of DIMMs in the blade server
    1. Make sure that both retaining clips on the DIMM connector into which you are installing the DIMM are in the open position (standing straight up).
    2. Turn the DIMM so that the DIMM keys align correctly with the DIMM connector on the system board.
      Attention: To avoid breaking the retaining clips or damaging the DIMM connector, handle the clips gently.
    3. Press the DIMM into the DIMM connector. The retaining clips lock the DIMM into the connector.
    4. Make sure that the small tabs on the retaining clips are in the notches on the DIMM. If there is a gap between the DIMM and the retaining clips, the DIMM has not been correctly installed. Press the DIMM firmly into the connector, and then press the retaining clips toward the DIMM until the tabs are fully seated. When the DIMM is correctly installed, the retaining clips are parallel to the sides of the DIMM.
Parent topic: Installing optional devices