AC258162 Dell 16GB PC5-38400 DDR5-4800MHz RDIMM Memory.

Understanding DDR5 Server Memory Module

Performance Enhancements in DDR5 Memory

DDR5 server memory represents a significant leap forward in memory technology, offering substantial improvements over previous DDR4 generations. The Dell AC258162 module operates at 4800MT/s (Mega Transfers per second), providing increased bandwidth that enables faster data processing and improved system responsiveness. This enhanced speed is particularly crucial for server environments where rapid data access directly impacts application performance and user experience. The transition to DDR5 architecture brings not only higher data rates but also improved power management and reliability features that are essential for enterprise-level computing.

Architectural Improvements in DDR5

The fundamental architecture of DDR5 memory introduces several key innovations that distinguish it from previous generations. Unlike DDR4, DDR5 implements a dual sub-channel design that allows for more efficient data access patterns and reduced latency. The Dell AC258162 leverages this advanced architecture to deliver superior performance in memory-intensive applications. The implementation of Decision Feedback Equalization (DFE) enables better signal integrity at higher speeds, while the updated burst length of 16 (BL16) provides more efficient data transfer mechanisms. These architectural enhancements work collectively to maximize the potential of modern server processors and system architectures.

ECC Registered Memory Technology Explained

Error Correcting Code (ECC) Functionality

The Dell AC258162 memory module incorporates Error Correcting Code (ECC) technology, which is essential for maintaining data integrity in server environments. ECC memory detects and corrects single-bit memory errors automatically, preventing data corruption and system crashes that can result from memory errors. This capability is particularly critical in servers running mission-critical applications, database management systems, and virtualization platforms where data accuracy is paramount. The ECC implementation in this DDR5 module provides an additional layer of protection beyond what non-ECC memory can offer, ensuring that single-bit errors are corrected transparently without impacting system performance or requiring administrator intervention.

Multi-Bit Error Detection Capabilities

Beyond single-bit error correction, the ECC technology in the Dell AC258162 provides robust multi-bit error detection. While single-bit errors are correctable, the module can detect multi-bit errors and alert the system management controller. This advanced error detection enables proactive maintenance and helps prevent potential system failures. In enterprise server environments, this capability supports higher system availability and reduces the risk of data corruption that could affect multiple users or applications. The memory module works in conjunction with the server's baseboard management controller to log error information, providing valuable data for system health monitoring and predictive maintenance strategies.

Registered Memory Advantages

Signal Integrity and Memory Capacity

The Dell AC258162 utilizes Registered DIMM (RDIMM) technology, which incorporates memory registers between the memory controller and the DRAM chips. These registers buffer the command and address signals, reducing the electrical load on the memory controller and enabling support for higher memory capacities. This architecture is particularly beneficial in servers that require large memory configurations, as it allows for more memory modules to be installed without compromising signal integrity. The registered design ensures that signals remain clean and stable, even in fully populated memory configurations, which is essential for maintaining system stability and performance in memory-intensive server applications.

Comparison with Unbuffered Memory

Unlike unbuffered memory modules (UDIMMs) typically used in desktop systems, registered memory modules like the Dell AC258162 are specifically engineered for server environments. The key distinction lies in the signal buffering provided by the registers, which enables more reliable operation in systems with large memory capacities. While registered memory introduces a minimal additional latency due to the signal buffering process, this is generally negligible compared to the significant benefits in system stability and capacity scaling. Server systems designed for registered memory are optimized to work with this architecture, ensuring that the performance impact is minimized while reliability is maximized.

Detailed Key Specifications

Capacity

The Dell AC258162 is a 16GB memory module organized as a single-rank configuration (1Rx8). The single-rank design means that all memory chips on the module are accessed simultaneously through a single set of control signals. This organization provides optimal performance characteristics for many server workloads. The 1Rx8 designation specifically refers to the physical organization of the memory chips, with eight memory devices accessed concurrently per data transfer operation. This configuration balances performance requirements with manufacturing considerations to deliver reliable operation in server environments.

Physical Dimensions

This memory module conforms to the standard 288-pin DDR5 RDIMM form factor, measuring approximately 133.35mm in length and 31.25mm in height. The physical design ensures compatibility with server memory slots designed for DDR5 registered memory. The key notch position on the connector is specifically placed to prevent accidental insertion into incompatible memory sockets. The module's dimensions and pin configuration adhere to JEDEC standards for DDR5 RDIMMs, ensuring interoperability with server platforms that support this memory type. The mechanical design includes features that facilitate proper installation and secure seating in the memory slot.

Performance Characteristics

Speed and Timing Parameters

The Dell AC258162 operates at a data rate of 4800MT/s (Mega Transfers per second), which translates to an effective speed of 4800 million data transfers per second. This module features a CAS Latency (CL) of 40, which represents the number of clock cycles between a read command and the availability of the first piece of data. The timing parameters are optimized for server workloads that benefit from consistent performance and reliability. The PC5-38400 designation refers to the peak transfer rate of 38400 MB/s per module, demonstrating the significant bandwidth capabilities of DDR5 technology compared to previous generations.

Voltage and Power Characteristics

Operating at 1.1 volts, the Dell AC258162 demonstrates the improved power efficiency of DDR5 technology compared to DDR4 memory, which typically operated at 1.2 volts. This reduced voltage requirement contributes to lower power consumption and reduced heat generation, both important considerations in dense server deployments. The power savings, while seemingly modest on a per-module basis, become significant when multiplied across large server farms with hundreds or thousands of memory modules. The thermal design incorporates considerations for adequate heat dissipation to maintain optimal operating temperatures during continuous server operation.

Bandwidth and Data Transfer Capabilities

With a peak theoretical bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, the Dell AC258162 delivers substantial data transfer capabilities that can significantly impact server performance. This high bandwidth is particularly beneficial for memory-intensive applications such as in-memory databases, virtualization platforms, and high-performance computing workloads. The DDR5 architecture improves bandwidth utilization through enhanced prefetch algorithms and more efficient data transfer mechanisms. The combination of high transfer rates and improved efficiency makes this memory module well-suited for modern server applications that demand both high throughput and low latency memory access.

Server Application and Use Cases

Data Center Deployment

The Dell AC258162 memory module is engineered for deployment in enterprise data center environments where reliability, performance, and scalability are paramount. In these settings, servers typically handle multiple virtual machines, database transactions, and application workloads simultaneously. The ECC functionality ensures data integrity across these diverse workloads, while the registered design supports stable operation in fully populated memory configurations. Data center servers benefit from the module's compatibility with thermal management systems and its adherence to enterprise-grade reliability standards. The memory's performance characteristics make it suitable for a wide range of data center applications, from web hosting to enterprise resource planning systems.

Virtualization and Cloud Infrastructure

In virtualization environments, memory resources are shared among multiple virtual machines, making memory performance and reliability critical factors in overall system performance. The Dell AC258162 provides the necessary bandwidth and capacity to support dense virtualization deployments where numerous virtual machines compete for memory resources. The ECC protection is particularly valuable in these environments, as memory errors could potentially affect multiple virtual machines and their hosted applications. Cloud infrastructure providers benefit from the module's consistent performance characteristics and reliability features, which contribute to maintaining service level agreements and ensuring customer satisfaction.

Specialized Server Workloads

Database servers represent one of the most memory-sensitive applications in enterprise computing. The Dell AC258162 memory module provides the performance characteristics needed for efficient database operation, particularly for in-memory database systems that maintain entire datasets in system memory. The high bandwidth enables rapid data access and manipulation, while the ECC functionality protects against data corruption that could compromise database integrity. Database workloads often involve random access patterns that benefit from the advanced prefetch and access optimization features of DDR5 architecture. The module's reliability features are essential for database systems where data accuracy and system availability are non-negotiable requirements.

High-Performance Computing Applications

In high-performance computing (HPC) environments, memory performance directly impacts computational efficiency and time-to-solution for complex problems. The Dell AC258162 delivers the bandwidth necessary for memory-intensive scientific computing, engineering simulations, and analytical processing. HPC applications often involve working with large datasets that must be processed rapidly, making memory bandwidth a critical performance factor. The module's compatibility with server platforms designed for HPC workloads ensures that it can be deployed in clusters and computational arrays where consistent performance across multiple nodes is essential for parallel processing efficiency.

Dell PowerEdge Server Compatibility

The Dell AC258162 memory module is designed and tested for compatibility with Dell PowerEdge servers that support DDR5 registered memory. Specific compatibility includes recent generations of PowerEdge servers equipped with processors that incorporate DDR5 memory controllers. The module undergoes rigorous testing and validation to ensure reliable operation within Dell's server ecosystem. This comprehensive validation process includes compatibility testing with various server configurations, thermal testing under different environmental conditions, and reliability testing to ensure consistent performance over extended operational periods. The module is specifically engineered to work with Dell's system management tools for seamless integration into existing server infrastructure.