NetTomS2015 :
Hi all, I open this new topic of conversation for an help on how to interpret the information given by a Dell Precision T5400 workstation after a memory upgrade to 32GB. After I bought 6 memory stick of 4GB plus 2 Memory Stick of 4GB that I already had, now my workstation has 32GB, the all with two CPU Xeon X5460.
The computer works perfectly, all with Windows 10 O/S which recognized all the hardware of the workstation.
But now I had a doubt watching this screen from the management of the BIOS of my Dell Precision T5400 in the memory section.
############################################################
Memory Info
Installed Memory = 32,0 GB
Memory Speed = 667 MHz
Memory Channel Mode = Quad
Memory Technology = FB-DIMM DDR2 SDRAM (ECC)
Memory Slot Size ECC Rank Type Optimization
DIM 1 4 GB YES 4 FBD X8
DIM 2 4 GB YES 4 FBD X8
DIM 3 4 GB YES 2 FBD X4
DIM 4 4 GB YES 2 FBD X4
DIM 5 4 GB YES 2 FBD X4
DIM 6 4 GB YES 2 FBD X4
DIM 7 4 GB YES 2 FBD X4
DIM 8 4 GB YES 2 FBD X4
############################################################
The memories that use are the following (all PC2-5300F-555-11):
HYNIX HYMP151F72CP8D5-Y5 (2 stick - 2x4GB = 8GB)
SAMSUNG M395T5160CZ4-CE66 (3 stick - 3x4GB = 12GB)
SAMSUNG M395T5160QZ4-CE66 (3 stick - 3x4GB = 12GB)
From this table presented by the BIOS my two stick "HYNIX HYMP151F72CP8D5-Y5" (slots 1 and 2) are Rank 4 and Optimization X8, while all the other six stick "SAMSUNG M395T5160CZ4-CE66" and "SAMSUNG M395T5160QZ4-CE66" (slot from 3 to 8) are Rank 2 and Optimization X4. I do not understand what are the best (Rank 2 or 4) and if such a configuration can affect to the performance of my workstation. Someone can give me a help to understand this data?
NetTomS2015,
I think the best explanation is simply to quote the
Wikipedia article on the subject:
"
Memory rank
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A memory rank is a set of DRAM chips connected to the same chip select, which are therefore accessed simultaneously. In practice they also share all of the other command and control signals, and only the data pins for each DRAM are separate (but the data pins are shared across ranks).[citation needed]
The term “rank” was created and defined by JEDEC, the memory industry standards group. On a DDR, DDR2, or DDR3 memory module, each rank has a 64 bit wide data bus (72 bit wide on DIMMs that support ECC). The number of physical DRAMs depends on their individual widths. For example, a rank of x8 (8 bit wide) DRAMs would consist of eight physical chips (nine if ECC is supported), but a rank of x4 (4 bit wide) DRAMs would consist of 16 physical chips (18 if ECC is supported). Multiple ranks can coexist on a single DIMM, and modern DIMMs can consist of one rank (single rank), two ranks (dual rank), four ranks (quad rank), or eight ranks (octal rank).[citation needed]
There is little difference between a dual rank UDIMM and two single rank UDIMMs in the same memory channel, other than that the DRAMs reside on different PCBs. The electrical connections between the memory controller and the DRAMs are almost identical (with the possible exception of which chip selects go to which ranks). Increasing the number of ranks per DIMM is mainly intended to increase the memory density per channel. Too many ranks in the channel can cause excessive loading and decrease the speed of the channel. DRAM load on the CA (Command/Address) bus can be reduced by using registered memory.[citation needed]
Performance of multiple rank modules
There are several issues to consider regarding memory performance in multi-rank configurations.
Multi-rank modules allow several open pages in each rank (typically 8 pages per rank). This increases the possibility of getting a hit on an already open row address. The performance gain that can be achieved is highly dependent on the application and the memory controller's ability to take advantage of open pages.[citation needed]
Multi-rank modules have higher loading on the data bus (and on unbuffered DIMMs the CA bus as well). Dual rank DDR3 DIMMs can run at DDR3-1600, but if there are more ranks connected in one channel, the speed will be reduced.[citation needed]
Subject to some limitations, ranks can be accessed independently, although not simultaneously as the data lines are still shared between ranks on a channel. For example, the controller can send write data to one rank while it awaits read data previously selected from another rank. While the write data is consumed from the data bus, the other rank could perform read-related operations such as the activation of a row or internal transfer of the data to the output drivers. Once the CA bus is free from noise from the previous read, the DRAM can drive out the read data. Controlling interleaved accesses like so is done by the memory controller.[citation needed]
There is a small performance reduction for multi-rank systems as they require some pipeline stalls between accessing different ranks. For two ranks on a single DIMM it might not even be required, but this parameter is often programmed independent of the rank location in the system (if on the same DIMM or different DIMMs). Nevertheless, this pipeline stall is negligible compared to the aforementioned effects."
In general, the more ranks per module, the more need for data stream access / communication between them, so the fewer rank modules are faster. In some cases however, more ranks allow some extra flexibility in simultaneous read /writes. Some systems are sensitive to mixing ranks and if this happens in the same channel, the RAM may not be recognized- there can be a mismatch error, or there can be a problem if the mismatched channel RAM is saturated. My policy has been to use the same memory type throughout. The T5400 is quad channel, so there should be 4 of each or all the same. Probably the best idea would be to change the two 8-rank to two 4 rank, though if all the RAM is recognized and there have been no errors, there will not be any noticeable change in performance.
The most important feature concerning RAM in a T5400 is keeping it cool- DDR2 is hot, hot, hot. I've often thought of adding an auxiliary fan -90mm or so on the back panel grate to extract air.
Cheers,
BambiBoom
1. HP z420 (2015) > Xeon E5-1660 v2 (6-core @ 3.7 / 4.0GHz) > 32GB DDR3 1866 ECC RAM > Quadro K4200 (4GB) > Intel 730 480GB (9SSDSC2BP480G4R5) > Western Digital Black WD1003FZEX 1TB> M-Audio 192 sound card > 600W PSU> > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit > Logitech z2300 speakers > 2X Dell Ultrasharp U2715H (2560 X 1440)>
[ Passmark Rating = 5064 > CPU= 13989 / 2D= 819 / 3D= 4596 / Mem= 2772 / Disk= 4555] [Cinebench R15 > CPU = 1014 OpenGL= 126.59 FPS] 7.8.15
Pending upgrade: HP /LSI 9212-4i PCIe SAS /SATA HBA RAID controller, 2X Seagate Constellation ES.3 1TB (RAID 1)
With Quadro K2200:
[ Passmark Rating = 4918 > CPU= 13941 / 2D= 823 / 3D= 3463 / Mem= 2668 / Disk= 4764
2. Dell Precision T5500 (2011) (Revised) > 2X Xeon X5680 (6 -core @ 3.33 / 3.6GHz), 48GB DDR3 1333 ECC Reg. > Quadro K2200 (4GB ) > PERC H310 / Samsung 840 250GB / WD RE4 Enterprise 1TB > M-Audio 192 sound card > Logitech z313 > 875W PSU > Windows 7 Professional 64> HP 2711x (27", 1920 X 1080)
[ Passmark system rating = 3844 / CPU = 15047 / 2D= 662 / 3D= 3550 / Mem= 1785 / Disk= 2649] (12.30.15)
7. Dell Precision T5400 (2008) > 2X Xeon X5460 quad core @3.16GHz > 16GB DDR2 667 ECC> Quadro FX 4800 (1.5GB) > WD RE4 500GB / Seagate Barracuda 500GB > M-Audio 2496 Sound Card / Linksys WMP600N WiFi > HP 2711X, 27" 1920 X 1080 and Dell 19" LCD > Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit >
[ Passmark system Rating = 1853, CPU = 8626 / 2D= 520 / 3D=1097 Mem= 736, Disk= 901] [Cinebench 11.5 CPU=7.54 OpenGL = 51.89 fps] 10.24.15
With Quadro 4000 >
[ Passmark system Rating = 1976, CPU = 8625 / 2D= 505 / 3D=2000 Mem= 742, Disk= 923]
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