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Computer Memory

Dell Precision™ WorkStation 530 User's Guide

• Computer memory installation guidelines
  
  
• Upgrading computer memory
  
  
• Removing a memory module
  
  
• Installing a memory module
  
  
• Removing memory riser boards
  
  
• Installing memory riser boards
  
  

Your computer supports dual-channel RDRAM RIMMs in 64-, 128-, 256-, and 512-MB capacities. See "Computer Memory Installation Guidelines" for instructions you must follow when installing memory modules.

To locate the memory sockets on the system board, see "System Board Memory Components." To locate the memory sockets on the optional memory riser boards, see "Memory Riser Board Components."

To reach the maximum 4-GB memory total, you must install the optional memory riser boards and use eight 512-MB modules that each have a maximum of 16 memory devices. See "Memory Module Label" for the location of the label on a module that identifies the number of memory devices it contains. You can also determine the number of memory devices installed through the System Memory option in system setup.

NOTE: The computer does not support RIMMs with six memory devices.

NOTE: The optional memory riser boards only support PC800 memory modules.

Memory Module Label

System Board Memory Components

Memory Riser Board Components

Computer Memory Installation Guidelines

• System board installation
  
  
• Riser board installation
  
  
• Memory addresses
  
  
• Sample configurations
  
  

System Board Installation

When installing memory modules in the system board sockets and not using the optional memory riser boards, observe the following guidelines:

• Each memory socket on the system board must be occupied either by a RIMM or a CRIMM.
  
  
• Memory sockets must be upgraded in matched pairs. In other words, two sockets in a pair must contain modules of identical capacity, number of components, and speed. See "System Board Memory Components" to identify pairs of sockets.
  
  
• Mixed pairs of ECC and non-ECC modules all function as non-ECC.
  
  
• Be sure to install a RIMM in socket 1 first (closest to the processor) before installing modules in the other sockets.
  
  
• The system board supports PC600 and PC800 memory modules.
  
  

Riser Board Installation

When installing memory modules using the optional memory riser boards, observe the following guidelines:

• The memory riser boards must be installed in system board memory sockets 1 and 2. Memory riser board A must be installed in system board memory socket 1, and riser board B must be installed in system board socket 2. System board memory sockets 3 and 4 can either be empty or contain CRIMMs. Sockets 3 and 4 cannot contain RIMMs with memory riser boards installed in sockets 1 and 2. See "System Board Memory Components" to identify the system board sockets.
  
  
• Memory sockets on the riser boards must be upgraded in matched pairs. In other words, two sockets in a pair must contain modules of identical capacity, number of components, and speed. See "Memory Riser Board Components" to identify pairs of sockets.
  
  
• Not all memory sockets on the memory riser boards need to be populated: if one or more pairs of memory sockets contain RIMMs, then the next pair must contain CRIMMs, and the remaining pair(s) can be empty. For example, if the first and second pairs of memory sockets on the riser boards contain RIMMs, then the third pair must contain CRIMMs, and the fourth pair can remain empty.
  
  
• Mixed pairs of ECC and non-ECC modules all function as non-ECC.
  
  
• The optional memory riser boards only support PC800 memory modules.
  
  

Addressing Memory with 4-GB Configurations

If you use optional memory riser boards and eight, 512-MB RIMMs, you can install 4 GB of physical computer memory. Current workstation-class OSs (such as Microsoft® Windows NT®, Windows® 2000, and Windows XP) can only utilize a maximum of 4 GB of address space. However, the amount of memory available to the OS will be slightly less than 4 GB.

Certain components within the computer require address space in the 4-GB range. Any address space reserved for these components cannot be used by computer memory. The following is a list of some components that require memory address space:

• System ROM
  
  
• APIC(s)
  
  
• Integrated PCI devices, such as the network adapter, SCSI controller, and IEEE 1394 controller
  
  
• PCI and AGP expansion cards
  
  
• The AGP Aperture size specified in system setup
  
  

At system start-up, the BIOS identifies the components that require address space. Starting at the highest end of the 4-GB range, it assigns those addresses working downward. All remaining addresses are then available for use by installed computer memory.

In other words, the BIOS dynamically calculates the amount of reserved address space required. It then subtracts the reserved address space from 4 GB to determine the amount of usable address space:

• If the total installed computer memory is less than the usable address space, all installed computer memory is available for use by the OS.
  
  
• If the total installed computer memory is equal to or greater than the usable address space, a small portion of installed computer memory is not available for use by the OS.
  
  

Sample Configurations

Sample Configurations without Memory Riser Boards 

Total Memory	Socket 1	Socket 2	Socket 3	Socket 4
128 MB	64 MB	64 MB	CRIMM	CRIMM
256 MB	64 MB	64 MB	64 MB	64 MB
256 MB	128 MB	128 MB	CRIMM	CRIMM
384 MB	128 MB	128 MB	64 MB	64 MB
512 MB	128 MB	128 MB	128 MB	128 MB
512 MB	256 MB	256 MB	CRIMM	CRIMM
640 MB	256 MB	256 MB	64 MB	64 MB
768 MB	256 MB	256 MB	128 MB	128 MB
1024 MB	256 MB	256 MB	256 MB	256 MB
1024 MB	512 MB	512 MB	CRIMM	CRIMM
1152 MB	512 MB	512 MB	64 MB	64 MB
1280 MB	512 MB	512 MB	128 MB	128 MB
1536 MB	512 MB	512 MB	256 MB	256 MB
2048 MB	512 MB	512 MB	512 MB	512 MB

Sample Configurations with Memory Riser Boards 

Total Memory	Riser Board A				Riser Board B
	Socket 1	Socket 2	Socket 3	Socket 4	Socket 1	Socket 2	Socket 3	Socket 4
128 MB	64 MB	CRIMM	empty	empty	64 MB	CRIMM	empty	empty
256 MB	64 MB	64 MB	CRIMM	empty	64 MB	64 MB	CRIMM	empty
384 MB	64 MB	64 MB	64 MB	CRIMM	64 MB	64 MB	64 MB	CRIMM
512 MB	64 MB	64 MB	64 MB	64 MB	64 MB	64 MB	64 MB	64 MB
256 MB	128 MB	CRIMM	empty	empty	128 MB	CRIMM	empty	empty
512 MB	128 MB	128 MB	CRIMM	empty	128 MB	128 MB	CRIMM	empty
768 MB	128 MB	128 MB	64 MB	64 MB	128 MB	128 MB	64 MB	64 MB
1024 MB	128 MB	128 MB	128 MB	128 MB	128 MB	128 MB	128 MB	128 MB
512 MB	256 MB	CRIMM	empty	empty	256 MB	CRIMM	empty	empty
1024 MB	256 MB	256 MB	CRIMM	empty	256 MB	256 MB	CRIMM	empty
1280 MB	256 MB	256 MB	64 MB	64 MB	256 MB	256 MB	64 MB	64 MB
1536 MB	256 MB	256 MB	128 MB	128 MB	256 MB	256 MB	128 MB	128 MB
2048 MB	256 MB	256 MB	256 MB	256 MB	256 MB	256 MB	256 MB	256 MB
1024 MB	512 MB	CRIMM	empty	empty	512 MB	CRIMM	empty	empty
2048 MB	512 MB	512 MB	CRIMM	empty	512 MB	512 MB	CRIMM	empty
2304 MB	512 MB	512 MB	64 MB	64 MB	512 MB	512 MB	64 MB	64 MB
2560 MB	512 MB	512 MB	128 MB	128 MB	512 MB	512 MB	128 MB	128 MB
3072 MB	512 MB	512 MB	256 MB	256 MB	512 MB	512 MB	256 MB	256 MB
4096 MB	512 MB	512 MB	512 MB	512 MB	512 MB	512 MB	512 MB	512 MB

Upgrading Computer Memory

CAUTION: RIMMs can get very hot during normal operation. Be sure that the RIMMs have had sufficient time to cool before you touch them.

CAUTION: Before you perform this procedure, see "Safety First— For You and Your Computer."

NOTICE: Before disconnecting a device from the computer, wait 10 to 20 seconds after disconnecting the computer from its electrical outlet. Before removing a component from the system board, verify that the standby power light on the system board has turned off. To locate this light, see "System Board Components" or the interior service label.

1. Turn off the computer and devices, disconnect them from their electrical outlets, and wait 10 to 20 seconds.
   
   
2. Lay the computer on its right side.
   
   
3. Open the computer cover.
   
   
4. To access system board memory sockets, remove the microprocessor airflow shroud.
   
   
5. If necessary, remove memory modules that occupy system board sockets in which you plan to install upgrade modules.
   
   
6. If you have the optional memory riser boards installed and you plan to install upgrade modules on the riser boards, remove the riser boards.
   
   
7. Install the upgrade modules in system board or riser board sockets.
   
   

NOTE: See "Computer Memory Installation Guidelines."

NOTE: Without the optional memory riser boards installed, the computer supports a maximum of 64 memory devices on all installed RIMMs. With the memory riser boards installed, the computer supports up to 128 memory devices (64 devices on each riser board). See "Memory Module Label" for the location of the label on the RIMM that identifies the number of memory devices it contains. You can also determine the number of memory devices installed through the System Memory option in system setup.

8. If you removed the memory riser boards, install the riser boards.
   
   
9. Close the computer cover.
   
   
10. Stand the computer upright.
    
    
11. Reconnect the computer and devices to their electrical outlets, and turn them on.
    
    

NOTE: If enabled, the Chassis Intrusion option will cause the following message to be displayed at the next system start-up:

ALERT! Cover was previously removed.

The computer detects that the new memory does not match the existing system configuration information and generates the following message:

The amount of system memory has changed.
Strike the F1 key to continue, F2 to run the setup utility

12. Enter system setup, and check the value for System Memory. The computer should have already changed the value of System Memory to reflect the newly installed memory. If the new total is correct, skip to step 14.
    
    
13. If the memory total is incorrect, repeat step 1 through step 3. Check the installed modules and riser boards to ensure that they are seated properly in their sockets. Then repeat step 9 through step 12.
    
    
14. When the System Memory total is correct, exit system setup.
    
    
15. Run the Dell Diagnostics to verify that the memory modules are operating properly.
    
    

Removing a Memory Module

NOTICE: Before disconnecting a device from the computer, wait 10 to 20 seconds after disconnecting the computer from its electrical outlet. Before removing a component from the system board, verify that the standby power light on the system board has turned off. To locate this light, see "System Board Components" or the interior service label.

NOTICE: To avoid damage to the memory module, press the securing clips with equal force applied at each end of the memory socket.

1. Press the securing clips at each end of the memory socket outward simultaneously until the module pops out slightly from the socket (see the following figure).
   
   

NOTE: To access the securing clips on the system board memory sockets, it may be necessary to remove the fan for microprocessor 0. For instructions on removing and installing the processor fan, see the Service Manual.

2. Lift the module away from the socket.
   
   

Removing a Memory Module

Installing a Memory Module

1. Press the securing clips at each end of the socket outward until they snap open (see the following figure).
   
   
2. Align the slots on the bottom of the module with the ridges inside the socket.
   
   

NOTICE: To avoid damage to the memory module, press the module straight down into the socket with equal force applied at each end of the module.

3. Press the module straight down into the socket until the securing clips snap into place at the ends of the module.
   
   

Installing a Memory Module

Removing Memory Riser Boards

NOTICE: Before disconnecting a device from the computer, wait 10 to 20 seconds after disconnecting the computer from its electrical outlet. Before removing a component from the system board, verify that the standby power light on the system board has turned off. To locate this light, see "System Board Components" or the interior service label.

1. Remove the microprocessor airflow shroud.
   
   
2. Remove the memory riser board retention bracket (see the following figure).
   
   
   1. Lift the retention bracket up to disengage it from the chassis.
      
      
   2. Lift the bracket away from the chassis.
      
      

NOTICE: To avoid damage to the memory riser board, press the securing clips with equal force applied at each end of the memory socket.

3. Remove memory riser board A:
   
   

NOTE: To access the securing clips on the system board memory sockets, it may be necessary to remove the fan for microprocessor 0. For instructions on removing and installing the processor fan, see the Service Manual.

1. Press the securing clips of system board memory socket 1 outward simultaneously until riser board A pops out slightly from the socket.
   
   
2. Lift riser board A away from the retention brackets on riser board B.
   
   

4. Remove memory riser board B:
   
   
   1. Press the securing clips of system board memory socket B outward simultaneously until riser board B pops out slightly from the socket.
      
      
   2. Lift riser board B away from socket 2.
      
      

Removing Memory Riser Boards

Installing Memory Riser Boards

NOTICE: System board memory sockets 3 and 4 can either be empty or contain CRIMMs. Sockets 3 and 4 cannot contain RIMMs with memory riser boards installed in sockets 1 and 2.

1. If any RIMMs occupy memory sockets on the system board, remove those modules.
   
   

To locate the memory sockets on the system board, see "System Board Memory Components."

NOTICE: To avoid damage to the memory riser board, press the riser board straight down into the socket with equal force applied at each end of the riser board.

2. Install memory riser board B (see the following figure):
   
   
   1. Align the slots on the bottom of riser board B with the ridges inside memory socket 2 on the system board.
      
      

The memory sockets on the riser board will face away from the microprocessor(s).

2. Press riser board B straight down into socket 2 until the securing clips snap into place at the ends of the riser board.
   
   

3. Install memory riser board A:
   
   
   1. Align the edges of riser board A with the retention brackets on riser board B.
      
      
   2. Align the slots on the bottom of riser board A with the ridges inside memory socket 1 on the system board.
      
      

The memory sockets on the riser board will face away from the microprocessor(s).

3. Press riser board A straight down into socket 1 until the securing clips snap into place at the ends of the riser board.
   
   

4. Install the memory riser board retention bracket:
   
   
   1. Lower the bracket to the chassis so that the two bracket tabs insert into the chassis slots.
      
      
   2. Press the bracket straight down until it is secured in the chassis.
      
      

Installing Memory Riser Boards

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