Memory types and compatibility guide for DDR2 - Argh!

[Xavier Walker]

I've fallen foul with the minute changes made to memory modules.

I have a set of XW6600 workstations and a load of BL460c G5 and G6 servers.

I recently needed to get some more RAM, and unfortunately, I can not find a compatibility guide for HP part numbers and server models / generations. I know of the one for DDR3 but is there one for DDR2 ?

So without that, I went with the specs:
DDR2 ? - Check!
240 pin modules ? - Check!
PC2-5300 ? - Check!
667MHz speed ? - Check!
Registered ? - Check!
ECC ? - Check!

...and bought some HP branded modules.

You can see where this is going no doubt! But imagine my frustration when I can't fit them and realise that the notch isn't quite in the same place!

I then realised that the RAM I currently have in my XW6600 workstation (PN 398706-551) is physically a different package to the RAM in the servers (PN 405476-051) despite having exactly the same specifications!

So putting my annoyance to one side, where does one go nowadays to confirm exact compatibility with the "older" DDR2 generation hardware?

Thanks!

[Matti_Kurkela]

Searching for "xw6600" on partsurfer.hp.com seems to indicate it requires "Fully Buffered" memory instead of "Registered". From PartSurfer, you can find the exact part numbers you need for your hardware model.

Wikipedia confirms "Registered" and "Fully Buffered" are two different things:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DDR2_SDRAM
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In addition to bandwidth and capacity variants, modules can
[...]
2. Be "registered", which improves signal integrity (and hence potentially clock rates and physical slot capacity) by electrically buffering the signals at a cost of an extra clock of increased latency. Those modules are identified by an additional R in their designation, whereas non-registered (a.k.a. "unbuffered") RAM may be identified by an additional U in the designation. PC2-4200R is a registered PC2-4200 module, PC2-4200R ECC is the same module but with additional ECC.

3. Be fully buffered modules, which are designated by F or FB and do not have the same notch position as other classes. Fully buffered modules cannot be used with motherboards that are made for registered modules, and the different notch position physically prevents their insertion.

Note: registered and un-buffered SDRAM generally cannot be mixed on the same channel.
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MK

[Michael A. McKenney]

Kingston XW6600 RAM. You can get the specs from this information.

Memory upgrades:
KTH-XW667/8G 8GB Kit Get Price
KTH-XW667LP/2G 2GB Low Power Kit Get Price
KTH-XW667LP/4G 4GB Low Power Kit Get Price
KTH-XW667LP/8G 8GB Low Power Kit Get Price

[Andrew Rutter]

hi,

check these links

memory part number guide, or search hp's website for similar

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?cc=us〈=en&objectID=c00317878&prodSeriesId=397642&prodTypeId=15351

xw6600 quickspec technical info

http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/12848_div/12848_div.HTML

the best place to find info straight away is

http://www.partsurfer.hp.com/search.aspx

type your server/model number in and you can get all the part numbers for it

Andy

[Xavier Walker]

Thanks. That partsmaster section is useful. Bookmarked for future reference!