RAM confirguartion on 32bit OS with Intel® Xeon® processor 5500 series

taylord

Distinguished
Aug 18, 2009
1
0
18,510
Howdy,
Since the Intel® Xeon® processor 5500 series has three memory channels, how is RAM configured for a 32bit OS?
Before, i would just say its a simple pairing of two 2GB Dimms.

Since it is still advisable to pair the Dimms and -as it was explained to me- there is no point in going beyond 4GB of RAM on a 32bit OS because of addressing limitations, would two pairs of 512MB and one pair of 1GB Dimms be advisable?
(6Dimms to total 4GB)
 

hellwig

Distinguished
May 29, 2008
1,743
0
19,860
Don't mix different sizes of memory like that. Because you have 3 channels, you need 3 identically-sized sets. I.e. 4x512 + 2x1GB will not work because you would have 512/512, 1gb/512, 1gb/512 which doesn't add up correctly.

I would simply recommend going with a 3x1GB, you only get 3GB, but you don't get much more useable memory out of 32-bit Windows anyway (linux might be a different story). If you really want, you can get the 3x2GB to get maximum memory storage and speed, just realize you have at least 2GB you won't be using.