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Independent mode installation order

In independent mode, memory channels can be populated with DIMMs in any order and you can populate all channels for each processor in any order with no matching requirements. Independent mode provides the highest level of memory performance, but lacks failover protection. The DIMM installation order for independent mode varies based on the number of processors and memory modules installed in the server.

Independent mode installation rules

Follow the rules below when installing memory modules in independent mode:
  • All DDR5 memory modules must operate at the same speed in the same system.

  • Memory installation order must be identical between processors.

  • Memory modules from different vendors are supported.

  • In each memory channel, populate the slot farthest from the processor (slot 0) first.

  • All DIMMs must be all DDR5 RDIMMs.

  • x8 DIMMs and x4 DIMMs cannot be mixed in a system.

  • All memory modules to be installed must be of the same type.

  • All memory modules in a system must have the same number of ranks.

Independent mode with one processor

The following table shows the sequence of populating memory modules for independent mode when only one processor (processor 1) is installed.

Note

DIMM configurations that support Software Guard Extensions (SGX). See Enable Software Guard Extensions (SGX) to enable this feature.

Table 1. Independent mode with one processor
Total DIMMsProcessor 1
16151413121110987654321
1 DIMM         7      
8 DIMMs161412107531
16 DIMMs16151413121110987654321

Independent mode with two processors

The following table shows the sequence of populating memory modules for independent mode when two processors (processor 1 and processor 2) are installed.

Note

DIMM configurations that support Software Guard Extensions (SGX). See Enable Software Guard Extensions (SGX) to enable this feature.

Table 2. Independent mode with two processors
Total DIMMsProcessor 1
16151413121110987654321
2 DIMMs         7      
16 DIMMs161412107531
32 DIMMs16151413121110987654321
Total DIMMsProcessor 2
32313029282726252423222120191817
2 DIMMs         23      
16 DIMMs3230282623211917
32 DIMMs32313029282726252423222120191817