How it Works
Lenovo
Loading...
T
Loading...
Loading...
ThinkStation P-Series

Lenovo ThinkStation P-Series Memory Configuration [en, ar, bg, cs, da, de, el, es, fi, fr, he, hr, hu, it, ja, ko, nb, nl, pl, pt, pt, ro, ru, sh, sk, sl, sr, sv, th, tr, uk, zc, zh]

Download
ThinkStation P-Series Memory
Version 1 . 1
1. Version History
Version
Date Released
V1.0
V1.1
5/20/2015
2. Introduction
With the launch of the new P-Series line of ThinkStation systems, new memory technology is being introduced with the onset of DDR4. DDR4 memory design differs from its DDR3 predecessor in several ways.
Physical DIMM Differences
DDR4 memory uses a 284-pin DIMM module as compared to a 240-pin DIMM module for DDR3. Physical DIMM size for DDR4 is very close to that of DDR3 due to the decreased pin pitch for the DDR4
modules (allows more pins over the same area).
DDR4 sockets differ from DDR3 sockets and they are not interchangeable.
Operating Voltage
DDR4 operates at a standard voltage of 1.2V compared to the standard voltage of 1.5V for DDR3. This
lowered operating voltage results in lower power consumption.
Frequencies Supported
DDR4 is capable of supporting frequencies ranging from 1600MHz to 3200MHz. Consequently, DDR3
frequencies ranged from 800MHz to 2133MHz.
3. Supported DDR4 Memory Types
The new ThinkStation P500, P700, and P900 platforms will each support three unique types of DDR4 memory at launch. These three DIMM types are UDIMM, RDIMM, and LRDIMM, and are described below:
UDIMM – Unregistered DIMM
Individual DRAMs connect directly to the controller. Low latency, low density. Ideal for single DIMM per
channel applications where low latency is required.
RDIMM – Registered DIMM
Onboard register buffers the address and command signals (but not data). Lower loading allows for higher
density DIMMs and higher overall memory capacity compared to UDIMM.
LRDIMM – Load Reduced DIMM
Data, address, and command signals are all routed through an onboard memory buffer, which results in a
greatly reduced electrical load and maximum memory capacities.
4. DDR4 Memory Configuration Guidelines
Supported DIMM types (subject to change):
4GB PC3-2133 ECC UDIMM 4GB, 8GB, and 16GB PC3-2133 ECC RDIMM 32GB PC3-2133 ECC LRDIMM
In previous ThinkStation platforms, there were limitations that existed on the number of DIMMs per channel that could be installed while still having the memory operate at what was considered “maximum” speed. With the P500, P700, P900 platforms, all DIMMs will be able to run at full clock frequency in both single DIMM per channel (1DPC) and dual DIMM per channel (2DPC) configurations. The net result is being able to keep the memory running at maximum frequency while not adversely affecting the overall memory capacity of the platform.
It is important to note that final memory frequency is also dependent on the CPU installed. Since the memory controller is integrated into the CPU, the CPU memory frequency will also factor into the actual operating memory frequency. For example, if a user installs DIMMs capable of operating at 2400MHz, but the selected CPU is only capable of operating memory at 2133MHz, then the memory will only operate at 2133MHz.
P500
DIMM 6
DIMM 1
DIMM 2
DIMM 3
DIMM 4
DIMM 5
DIMM 8
DIMM 7
Channel
A
Channel
B
Channel
D
Channel
C
P500 offers a total of 8 DDR4 DIMM sockets, with a layout consisting of 4 channels and 2 DIMMs per channel. Following Intel guidance, the DIMM installation rules are to install DIMMs across memory channels first (in 1DPC configuration) and then install 2DPC as needed. This can easily be accomplished by simply installing DIMMs in order per the system service label found on the inside cover.
The below image shows the DIMM layout for the P500 system and identifies the proper fill order for DIMM1 through DIMM 8. Note that white colored DIMM sockets always indicate the 1st DIMM of each channel, and black colored DIMM sockets always indicate the 2nd DIMM of each channel.
P700
P700 uses a dual socket motherboard that consists of 6 DIMM sockets for each CPU for a total of 12 DIMM sockets. Due to the nature of the dual CPU design and the specific motherboard layout, there are some considerations to be made when installing memory in the P700 system:
In single CPU configurations, only DIMM sockets associated with CPU1 can be used. For dual CPU
configurations, all DIMM slots can be utilized.
Each CPU has a total of 6 DIMM sockets. This means that all four channels have at least one DIMM socket per
channel, with two channels having two DIMM sockets per channel.
In dual CPU configurations, it is optimal to balance memory across the CPUs. This applies to both the quantity of
DIMMs and DIMM capacity. The system will function with unbalance DIMMs, however overall memory performance could be affected.
In dual CPU configurations, once DIMM quantity and DIMM capacity has been balanced across CPUs, users
should follow the general installation order for each CPU (DIMM1 through DIMM 6). Largest capacity DIMMs should be installed first.
Example #1
Installing a total of 4 pieces of 4GB RDIMM in a dual CPU configuration
a. Install 1 piece 4GB RDIMM in CPU1-DIMM1 b. Install 1 piece 4GB RDIMM In CPU1-DIMM2 c. Install 1 piece 4GB RDIMM in CPU2-DIMM1 d. Install 1 piece 4GB RDIMM in CPU2-DIMM2
Example #2
Installing 4 pieces of 8GB RDIMM and 4 pieces of 4GB RDIMM in a dual CPU configuration (48GB total)
a. Install 8GB RDIMMs in CPU1–DIMM 1 and CPU1–DIMM 2 b. Install 8GB RDIMMs in CPU2–DIMM 1 and CPU2–DIMM 2 c. Install 4GB RDIMMs in CPU1–DIMM 3 and CPU1–DIMM 4 d. Install 4GB RDIMMs in CPU2–DIMM 3 and CPU2–DIMM 4
The image below shows the DIMM sockets for the P700 motherboard and identifies the proper fill order for each CPU.
CPU1 - DIMM 1
CPU1 - DIMM 2
CPU1 – DIMM 4
CPU1 – DIMM 3
CPU1 – DIMM 6
CPU1 – DIMM 5
CPU2 - DIMM 3
CPU2 – DIMM 4
CPU2 – DIMM 2
CPU2 – DIMM 1
CPU2 – DIMM 5
CPU2 – DIMM 6
CPU1
Channel A
CPU1
Channel C
CPU1
Channel B
CPU1
Channel D
CPU2
Channel D
CPU2
Channel A
CPU2
Channel B
CPU2
Channel C
Note that while colored DIMM sockets represent the first DIMM in each channel, and black colored DIMM sockets represent the second DIMM for each channel (if applicable).
CPU1 – DIMM 1
CPU1 – DIMM 2
CPU1 – DIMM 6
CPU1 – DIMM 5
CPU1 – DIMM 7
CPU1 – DIMM 4
CPU2 – DIMM 3
CPU2 – DIMM 4
CPU2 – DIMM 7
CPU2 – DIMM 8
CPU2 – DIMM 2
CPU2 – DIMM 1
CPU1
Channel B
CPU1
Channel A
CPU1
Channel D
CPU1
Channel C
CPU2
Channel C
CPU2
Channel D
CPU2
Channel A
CPU2
Channel B
P900
P900 uses a dual socket motherboard (like the P700). However due to the larger size of the board, there is room for expanded DIMM sockets. The P900 motherboard can support a total of 16 DIMM sockets (8 per CPU) which includes support for 4 channels with two DIMMs per channel (2DPC) for each CPU.
Similar to the P700, some considerations should be made when installing memory in the P900 system:
In single CPU configurations, only DIMM sockets associated with CPU1 can be used. For dual CPU
configurations, all DIMM slots can be utilized.
Each CPU has a total of 8 DIMM sockets. This means that all four channels have support for two DIMMs per
channel (2DPC).
In dual CPU configurations, it is optimal to balance memory across the CPUs. This applies to both the quantity of
DIMMs and DIMM capacity. The system will function with unbalance DIMMs, however overall memory performance could be affected.
In dual CPU configurations, once DIMM quantity and DIMM capacity has been balanced across CPUs, users
should follow the general installation order for each CPU (DIMM1 through DIMM 8). Largest capacity DIMMs should be installed first.
The image below details the DIMM socket layout for the P900 motherboard and identifies the proper fill order for each CPU. Note that while colored DIMM sockets represent the first DIMM in each channel, and black colored DIMM sockets represent the second DIMM for each channel.
5. Performance Data
27.47
27.21
27.19
27.58
35.00
34.24
34.21
38.33
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
16,16,16,0,0,
0,0,0
16,16,8,8,0,0
,0,0
8,8,8,8,8,8,0,
0
8,8,8,8,4,4,4,
4
P500 48 GB Memory Performance
Memory Mark/100 and SisSandra Bandwidth - Higher is Better
Aggregate Bandwidth (GB/s)
Memory Mark/100
P500
The following chart shows benchmark data for the P500 using both Memory Mark and SisSandra benchmarks. For this example, several DIMM configuration options are listed for a specific total capacity (48GB) to show how channel loading will affect memory performance.
P700
19.41
22.88
24.66
24.62
23.13
27.30
34.00
69.15
64.00
61.08
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
16,16,16,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,
0,0
16,16,8,8,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,
0
8,8,8,8,8,8,0,0,0,0,0,0
4,4,4,4,4,4,4,4,4,4,4,4
8,8,8,8,4,4,4,4,0,0,0,0
P700 Memory Performance - 48 GB Total Memory
Memory Mark and Sis Sandra Performance - Higher is Better
Aggregate Bandwidth (GB/s)
Memory Mark/100
The following chart shows benchmark data for the P700 using both Memory Mark and SisSandra benchmarks. For this example, several DIMM configuration options are listed for a specific total capacity (48GB) to show how channel loading will affect memory performance. Note that DIMMs are balanced across CPUs (as allowed by DIMM count).
P900
19.32
24.95
24.70
54.37
74.91
79.75
0 20 40 60 80 100
16,16,16,16,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0
,0,0,0
8,8,8,8,8,8,8,8,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,
0
4,4,4,4,4,4,4,4,4,4,4,4,4,4,4,
4
P900 64 GB Memory Performance
Memory Mark and Sis Sandra Performance - Higher is Better
Aggregate Bandwidth (GB/s)
Memory Mark/100
The following chart shows benchmark data for the P900 using both Memory Mark and SisSandra benchmarks. For this example, several DIMM configuration options are listed for a specific total capacity (48GB) to show how channel loading will affect memory performance. Note that DIMMs are balanced across CPUs (as allowed by DIMM count).
Loading...
Buy Points How it Works FAQ Contact Us Questions and Suggestions Privacy Policy Cookie Policy Terms of Use