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HP Server DDR3 Memory Configuration Tool

July 26th, 2010
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I’ve recently been lucky enough to be looking at purchasing a few additional ESX servers. I have spent a good few years now working with HP servers so have been looking at the HP Proliant DL380 G7 model for my particular needs.

I tend to spend a bit of time ensuring that the servers are specified correctly using the HP server quick specs. It can take a bit of time but I want to make sure that I am getting the right configuration for my virtualisation solution. To see an example follow the link to see the current quick specs for the HP Proliant DL 380 G7 server.

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While reviewing the quick specs for the DL 380 G7 I noticed the following section which I’d not seen before when buying other HP Proliant servers.

NOTE: Depending on the memory configuration and processor model, the memory speed may run at 1333MHz, 1066MHz, or 800MHz. Please see the Online Memory Configuration Tool at: www.hp.com/go/ddr3memory-configurator.

Now I usually buy memory as follows 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, most people probably do I imagine.  However as it turns out that the new Nehalem (Xeon 5500) and Westmere (5600) processors have some specific rules that need to be abided by to ensure optimal performance.  This is where this particular HP tool comes in handy, whether you are configuring a new server or attempting to upgrade a current one.

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As it turned 32GB is not an optimal configuration,  something that certain resellers never picked up on.  As it turned out I needed either 24GB or 36GB to ensure my server memory runs at 1333MHz and performs at its best. 

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If you are looking at buying a new HP server, or simply looking to add memory to an existing server I strongly suggest taking a look at this tool to ensure you get it right.

http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/servers/options/tool/hp_memtool.html

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  • scott
    Hi,
    Not a hardware expert at all.  but looking at this box with 64GB RAM (8*8) part #500662-B21.
    Using an older version of HP configureAIDER it said 60GB was optimal, now it doesnt say anything! The link doesnt through any issues and looks ok to me.
    Any comments or suggestions.
    Thanks




  • Funny, I've bought the same server and it came with 12GB standard; I just doubled that to 24GB. Just lucky I guess :-)

    Too bad the server crashes under ESX 4.1 though, sometimes after 2 weeks (SCSI problems) or even after 2 days.
  • Hi Martijn

    Thanks for your response, sounds like you did get lucky. It amazes me resellers aren't more aware of this important configuration element.

    Regarding your server crashes, that's quite concerning! Have you got something open with VMware and HP on this? Is it an HP issue causing ESX 4.1to crash or a VMware issue causing ESX 4.1 to crash? Interested as I have 3 of these going into production for a set of VM's that I do not want crashing.

    Thanks again for your comments
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