A6994465 Dell 16GB 1600MHz PC3-12800 CL11 2rx4 ECC DDR3 SDRAM DIMM Memory

Dell A6994465 16GB 1600MHz Memory

Dell A6994465 16GB 1600MHz PC3-12800 CL11 2Rx4 ECC Registered DDR3 SDRAM DIMM memory is a purpose-built server memory module designed for reliability, predictable performance and long-term stability inside Dell PowerEdge systems and equivalent enterprise-class servers. This module combines error-correcting code (ECC) and registered buffering (RDIMM) to provide data integrity at scale combined with high bandwidth thanks to DDR3-1600 signaling. Built on a dual-rank x4 organization, the A6994465 is targeted at workloads where memory capacity, fault tolerance, and consistent throughput are more important than the absolute lowest possible latency, making it an ideal component for virtualization hosts, database servers, application servers and high-availability infrastructure.

Technical

Dell A6994465 module is specified as a 16GB DDR3 DIMM operating at 1600MHz, which corresponds to the JEDEC PC3-12800 standard. The CL11 CAS latency rating gives a clear indication of internal timing behavior, while the 2Rx4 organization—meaning two ranks with x4 data width chips—affects both compatibility and fault tolerance patterns when loaded into multi-channel memory controllers. The ECC (Error-Correcting Code) Registered designation identifies two fundamental features: first, ECC logic that detects and corrects single-bit errors and detects multi-bit errors; second, the registered (buffered) interface which places a register between the DRAM chips and the memory controller to stabilize high-speed signaling when large memory populations are present. For server environments such as Dell PowerEdge models, the registered ECC approach enables higher density configurations, improved electrical signal integrity, and better scalability as memory module counts increase across channels and slots.

Form Factor

This category adheres to the standard 240-pin DIMM form factor associated with DDR3 server memory. The physical profile, including height and heat spreader presence, must be evaluated relative to densely packed server chassis where airflow and component clearance matter. The 2Rx4 rank layout influences how memory channels populate across CPU sockets; many PowerEdge motherboards specify which slots should be populated first to maintain balanced channel interleaving and multi-rank optimizations. Administrators need to consult server technical guides to align module placement with the desired interleave and NUMA balance for multi-socket configurations.

Compatibility

Compatibility is the most critical consideration for enterprise memory purchases. The Dell A6994465 16GB 1600MHz PC3-12800 CL11 2Rx4 ECC Registered DDR3 SDRAM DIMM is engineered primarily for a range of PowerEdge server generations that accept DDR3 registered ECC memory. Server families with DDR4 support will not accept DDR3 modules, so cross-generation compatibility checks are essential. Within the supported PowerEdge models, compatibility spans specific chassis and CPU combinations that the motherboard memory controller and BIOS have validated. Dell often publishes memory support matrices in technical manuals and release notes; procuring memory that appears in the server’s Qualified Vendor List (QVL) or part compatibility list reduces the risk of incompatibilities or POST errors.

BIOS

Updating system BIOS and firmware before large memory upgrades or replacement ensures that the server's memory training routines and voltage/timing support include the latest profiles. Dell’s firmware releases may add support for higher-density modules or refine memory training algorithms to better handle particular rank configurations like 2Rx4.

Memory

Mixing memory types and speeds is technically possible in some server configurations but often discouraged for production-critical systems. When mixing, the server defaults to the slowest supported speed and may enforce conservative timings to ensure stability. Mixing registered ECC modules with unbuffered or non-ECC modules is generally unsupported and can cause the system not to boot. Additionally, mixing modules with different ranks (for example 1Rx8, 2Rx4, or 4Rx4) may change interleaving and performance characteristics; administrators should therefore aim for identical Dell A6994465 across matched channels when seeking deterministic performance and reduced troubleshooting complexity. Homogeneous memory populations maximize the benefits of multi-channel interleaving and lower the chance for memory remapping events that can impact uptime-critical workloads.

Performance

The Dell A6994465 16GB ECC Registered DDR3 DIMM targets workloads that benefit from a combination of capacity, reliability, and stable throughput. Virtualized environments with dozens of small to medium VM instances per host rely heavily on large memory footprints to reduce disk swaps and enable memory ballooning. Database servers, in-memory caches, and application servers that require strong data integrity leverage ECC to correct transient bit-flips and to notify administrators of uncorrectable multi-bit errors that require intervention. In compute clusters and high-availability nodes, the registered nature of the module helps the motherboard maintain signal integrity when all DIMM slots are populated, which is essential when pushing for maximum memory density in a blade or rack server.

Latency

Although DDR3 at 1600MHz provides decent bandwidth, some latency-sensitive applications may prefer lower CAS latency values at lower clock speeds. The CL11 characteristic of this module represents a design trade-off focused on bandwidth at server scale. For latency-critical, single-threaded applications, performance tuning may involve balancing memory speed, CPU frequency, and cache utilization. Conversely, throughput-bound workloads will benefit from the module’s aggregate bandwidth and larger per-DIMM capacity, particularly when paired with multi-socket CPUs where each socket’s memory channels can leverage interleaving to scale aggregate memory bandwidth across the NUMA domain.

Thermal

Registered ECC modules consume more power than unbuffered counterparts due to additional buffering logic; however, in server environments this is a trade-off for reliability and scalability. Efficient chassis cooling and correct airflow direction are essential to keep DIMM temperatures within manufacturer-specified ranges. Higher ambient temperatures or obstructed airflow can accelerate failure modes or increased error rates; therefore, design of rack layouts, fan policies, and airflow paths should be part of any memory upgrade plan. Monitoring thermal sensors via server management infrastructure allows administrators to correlate thermal events with memory error trends and take corrective actions such as adjusting fan curves or rearranging rack densities.

Use Cases

Common Use Cases for Dell A6994465 16GB 1600MHz PC3-12800 CL11 2Rx4 ECC Registered DDR3 SDRAM DIMM memory include virtualization hosts, mid-range database servers, web application clusters, and compute nodes for analytics where main memory plays a central role in performance. In educational institutions, research labs, and enterprises with legacy PowerEdge infrastructure, these DIMMs often enable capacity upgrades to delay complete platform refresh cycles. The stability and error-correcting features of the A6994465 category align with environments that cannot tolerate silent data corruption or frequent unplanned reboots.