Ram type dram or sdram

[Kacurran1232]

So I have a server and really all I have that matters is the ram I have 16gbs of ram ecc at 1600mhz I want to get more because I am running out of ram to run ark as I am running freenas which the actual server runs on a vault. I do have 1 ram channel on each cpu so could I get a sdram and run it in a separate channel but doing that I would rather have dimms that are the same tech so would it mater even if they were mixed.

[mariushm]

SDRAM = memory from the Pentium / AMD K6-2 era.  Superseded by DDR1, DDR2, DDR3, DDR4

You probably want DDR3.

 

Check your motherboard specifications, see how many memory slots it has and what's the highest capacity sticks it supports in each slot.

See if it supports Unregistered DDR3 ECC or it has to be Registered DDR3 ECC  - registered is server memory and can be cheaper than regular unregistered DDR3.  See what you have now installed, as you can't mix registered and unregistered.

 

You can install one stick at a time. Your CPU has 2 , 3 or 4 memory channels - depends on cpu - where each channel can support up to 2 slots. Its up to motherboard manufacturer if it places 2 slots for each channel, or just one slot. 

 

[Kacurran1232]

Simms were the predecessor of dimms I have a r620 so I have 6channels and 24dimm slots sdram is synchronous dram and dram is asynchronous I am assuming that the answer is no they can't be mixed but I wanted to know for sure just in case. Plus my server supports registered and unregistered and load reduced. The manual doesn't say it supports 48gb in my current configure but with the dell forums it also says that it supports other configs bit you have to balance it right so it is super confusing what they mean.

[Jarsky]

SDRAM = DRAM but its synchronous, but DDR is double-data rate DRAM....it's the modern evolution of this kind of memory. 

You need the generation of DRAM that is compatible with your Processor/Motherboard...if your system uses DDR3, then you require DDR3. 

 

As for what type, you should check your Motherboards QVL (Qualified Vendor List) for what memory has been tested compatible with your system. Also check your Motherboards manual for compatibility specs as well (ECC / Reg / Ranking / Speed / Capacity / etc....). You should also check what type your current memory is to best match the existing memory. 

 

Things to be aware of

• Your memory will run at the speed of your slowest module, so match the speeds/timing as close as possible. 
• ECC & Reg (Registered) arent the same thing when you're looking at server memory. If your existing memory is ECC but non reg, then make sure the new module is the same.  Reg is often referred to as RDIMM (Registered DIMM) as opposed to standard UDIMM (Unregistered DIMM). Boards that do support RDIMM typically supported different sized/ranked modules compared to their UDIMM support. 
• Check your existing modules ranking. it might have either of 1R, 2R, 4R (1 Ranked, 2 Ranked, 4 Ranked) marked on it. You should always match rankings for compatiblity. You should also check in your motherboard manual as to what the supported Rankings are. Your board for example may support 4 DIMMS @ 2R, but maybe only 2 DIMMS @ 4R 

[Kacurran1232]

If I understand what you are saying is that it doesn't matter if it is sdram or not? I understand the types of ram and their drawbacks. The thing with checking the manual for qualifying ram is that the server is a dell server so they just end up saying their ram is the only ones that work for it and so for the same upgrade it is $100 versus 50 or so on eBay.

[mariushm]

You can't use SDRAM at all, stop saying that and stop thinking of that. SDRAM is ancient technology.

 

You need DDR3, which is double data rate ram..

Say the manufacturer and model of your motherboard and we can look up what it supports.

 

According to you, the motherboard supports

* Unregistered

* Registered

* Load reduced

 

You CAN NOT MIX these types of memory - you will either have to buy same type as current sticks, or pull out existing sticks and only insert the same kind.

Unregistered is the typical desktop DDR3 used in regular computers. Registered and Load reduced are server memory types.

 

Unregistered will be most common but the motherboard will support the smallest total capacity using these sticks.  Probably 12 sticks x 4 GB per stick = 48 GB in total.

The motherboard probably supports 8-16 GB sticks of registered DDR3, and probably supports 16+ GB sticks of load reduced DDR3.

 

You could use CPU-Z or Aida64 to determine exactly what sticks you have in your server, or you could just open the server and read the label on the sticks.

 

 

[Kacurran1232]

https://www.amazon.com/Patriot-Memory-3000MHz-Channel-PV416G300C6K/dp/B0157UQ5A6 these are some of the Rams types that say they are sdram and ddr4. Is it that they just don't care or what.

[mariushm]

Sigh ... SDRAM  is short for Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory

It's the name of the whole family of modern ram ... the family has multiple generations of sdram : Generations : Synchronous dynamic random-access memory - Wikipedia

Before SDRAM, there were other types of memory sticks EDO ram (was used on 386,486, pentium mmx) , FPM ram and others.

 

If you search just for SDRAM, you will get results that include single data rate SDRAM ... the ancient SDRAM and you'll also get DDR1 SDRAM, and you'll also get DDR2 SDRAM and so on ... all memory sticks from 20+ years onwards are SDRAM.

Basically, it's not the search term you should use.

 

 

 

[Kacurran1232]

Ohh thank you so much for your time!