Dell T3500 ram upgrade?

[Vadamo]

So a few days from now, I'll have a Dell T3500 on my hands. I'll be replacing my FX 6300 with it. Here are the T3500 specs:
Xeon x5650 6 Core
RAM: that's the question!
GTX 960 (that I'll throw in, I have a PSU sorted as well if the original doesn't work)

Here's the FX build if you want:
FX6300
16gb RAM
GTX 960

So anyway now that specs are out of the way, I want to upgrade the ram. I have about 6 dimm slots to fill, and I'd like to max them out as much as possible, I also am not sure on the type I should go for. The goal is 48gb of ram at the moment(I have a friend who's tried it, works perfectly) but if 96gb is possible, I'll go for that. The Max memory of the X5650 is 288gb, not sure if there is BIOS restrictions though. The W3550, and other W processors the Dell had are the reason this had a 24gb ram limit originally. In theory it should work right?

I found HP 8gb PC3-10600R sticks but wasn't sure if the Dell supported it, has anyone done that?


Thanks!

 

[t53186]

If you really want to know what ram you need,,,, get the service tag and go to DELL support online here: http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/04?c=us&l=en&s=bsd

 

[velocityg4]

In theory it would work. As the memory controller resides on the CPU.

The memory just needs to be the correct spec ECC DDR3 memory. A lot of the time these memory resellers just list the same memory multiple time but list it with the name of some popular computer model. It doesn't mean it just works with that model. They just do that so their memory is visible to someone looking for 96GB Dell Poweredge R820 memory rather than 96GB DDR3 ECC 1066.

There is also some credence to what you are planning. Here is a sold listing from an eBay Powerseller of a T3500 upgraded to an X5650 and 48GB RAM.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DELL-PRECISION-T3500-1x-X5650-2-66GHz-6-CORE-48GB-RADEON-8350-/201647284879?nma=true&si=0dlntAUFEkrdmA3xo%252FEsgqc8PEM%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Choose a seller which accepts returns. In case the system balks at 48GB and only works with 4GB modules.

 

[Vadamo]

In theory it would work. As the memory controller resides on the CPU.

The memory just needs to be the correct spec ECC DDR3 memory. A lot of the time these memory resellers just list the same memory multiple time but list it with the name of some popular computer model. It doesn't mean it just works with that model. They just do that so their memory is visible to someone looking for 96GB Dell Poweredge R820 memory rather than 96GB DDR3 ECC 1066.

There is also some credence to what you are planning. Here is a sold listing from an eBay Powerseller of a T3500 upgraded to an X5650 and 48GB RAM.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DELL-PRECISION-T3500-1x-X5650-2-66GHz-6-CORE-48GB-RADEON-8350-/201647284879?nma=true&si=0dlntAUFEkrdmA3xo%252FEsgqc8PEM%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Choose a seller which accepts returns. In case the system balks at 48GB and only works with 4GB modules.

I found some ECC 16GB Kingston ram stick on eBay with returns. If it works, ill grab more sticks. hopefully other T3500 readers find this thread useful.

The ram isn't urgent for me so I can live with the 6gb it comes with by default or install my 16gb 4x4 for the time being.

I know the 4GB limit is only if I have a W Xeon processor, so Im not worried it'll require 4gb modules only. If 16gb modules don't work, 48gb it is!

Probably won't receive my T3500 this week or next week sadly though...

 

[Vadamo]

Not sure if the Dell takes 16gb 4RX4(the 4RX4 is the only thing holding me from buying), Dells site doesn't list anything, anyone try 4Rx4 before?

 

[Susquehannock]

The board in that T3500 is based on the Intel x58 chipset and will only handle 24gb RAM. Can be either non-ECC or unbuffered ECC. No mixing. Must all be same type. Be aware it will not accept buffered ECC, which is a shame because those type modules are cheap & plentiful. For that you would need the T5500 board which is based on the server grade Intel 5520 chipset. Those will accept 48gb RAM. Or 72gb total with the 2nd CPU riser installed.

All, this info is in the Dell service manuals. Good to download that and have it on hand. Also recommend you update to latest chipset driver and BIOS. Though if the system was running that Westmere CPU (x5650), it probably has the latest installed already (A17).

Hope that helps. Any more questions let me know.

[edit] -
Dell page:
>> http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/04/product-support/product/precision-t3500/drivers

 

[Vadamo]

The x58 can handle however much the Intel Xeon can handle, that 24gb limit is from the Dell CPUs. Xeon 5650 goes up to 288gb.

The problem is does the system take 4Rx4 ram.

 

[Vadamo]

Well here's an update:

Just got the T3500 yesterday, and did a ram configuration of 4gb|4gb|4gb|4gb|4gb|2gb

Ram configuration is running good, giving me 22gbs at the moment. But 6x8gb is still the goal as well as 6x16gb.

I also threw in my GTX 960 with my EVGA 500w PSU, everything is running flawless with the Dell so far.

I did get a different Dell than I mentioned, so I just bought a x5650 separately

 

[Susquehannock]

Well, good luck with that.

Copied directly from pages 4 and 13 in the T3500 Workstation Technical Guide:

Dell Precision T3500 Key Features
Chipset
Intel® X58 Express Chipset
Key features:
•
Support for 1066 & 1333MHz DDR3 memory
•
Support for up to 24GB2 system memory and for tri-memory channels
•
Turbo Boost – designed to dynamically increase the speed of some cores on demand when others are inactive, enabling high performance
•
Direct Cache Access (DCA) – when cores are inactive, the cache of those cores can be accessed by those that are active
•
Memory controller integrated into CPU resulting in low latency and excellent application performance


Dell Precision™ T3500 Workstation Technical Guide
Memory
Your computer supports a maximum of 24GB of memory; however, 32-bit operating systems, such as the 32-bit version of Microsoft® Windows® Vista, can only use a maximum of 4GB of address space. Moreover, certain components within the computer require address space in the 4GB range. Any address space reserved for these components cannot be used by computer memory; therefore, the amount of memory available to a 32-bit operating system is less than 4GB.
NOTE: A 64-bit operating system is required to support 4GB or more of system memory..
Memory modules should be installed in pairs of matched memory size, speed, and technology. If the memory modules are not installed in matched pairs, the computer will continue to operate but performance may be compromised.