A6994464 Dell 32GB 1333MHz PC3-10600 4rx4 ECC DDR3 SDRAM DIMM Memory

Dell A6994464 32GB 1333MHz Memory Overview

Dell A6994464 32GB 1333MHz PC3-10600 4Rx4 ECC Registered DDR3 SDRAM DIMM Memory Module for PowerEdge Servers represents a high-capacity, server-grade DRAM solution engineered for datacenter-class stability, error-correcting reliability, and sustained throughput under heavy multi-threaded workloads. This module, explicitly specified as 32GB and operating at 1333MT/s (commonly referred to as 1333MHz), adheres to the PC3-10600 JEDEC profile and carries ECC (Error Correcting Code) functionality combined with Registered (also called buffered) features, labeled as 4Rx4 to indicate its rank and data width configuration.

Technical

The designation 4Rx4 denotes a quad-rank memory module where each rank is organized in x4 chips; this affects how the server memory controller addresses the DIMM and has implications for module density and population rules on server motherboards. ECC Registered indicates two server-critical attributes: ECC provides single-bit error correction and multi-bit error detection in most implementations, reducing the risk of silent data corruption, while Registered memory includes a register between the DRAM chips and the memory controller to buffer electrical signals, lowering electrical loading and enabling higher stable capacities across multiple populated DIMM slots. The DDR3 SDRAM technology used in this module is synchronous dynamic random-access memory with a double data rate interface, meaning data is transferred on both the rising and falling edges of the memory clock, delivering practical bandwidth of PC3-10600 at 10.6 GB/s per 64-bit channel in theoretical terms. The 1333MHz rating provides a balance between proven maturity and broad compatibility across PowerEdge generations that were designed around DDR3 architectures.

Memory

At 32GB per DIMM, the A6994464 enables high-density memory configurations that are especially valuable in servers supporting many virtual machines, in-memory caches, and data-intensive analytics. Quad-rank modules like 4Rx4 often limit the number of DIMMs per channel or per memory controller depending on the specific PowerEdge motherboard topology; administrators should consult server memory population rules to maximize capacity without compromising performance. The rank structure influences how many modules can be installed per channel before timing and electrical constraints reduce achievable memory frequency or lead to automatic downclocking by the server firmware.

Compatibility

Dell certifies specific memory modules for compatibility with named PowerEdge families and BIOS/UEFI firmware revisions. The A6994464 32GB 1333MHz module is intended for PowerEdge systems that were architected during the DDR3 era. Typical compatible models include earlier E-Series, R-Series, and T-Series designs that explicitly list PC3-10600 Registered ECC modules in their technical specification sheets. Server firmware often contains SPD (Serial Presence Detect) profiles tailored to the JEDEC standard timings for 1333MT/s operation; these profiles allow the server to read module parameters at boot and configure timings and voltage accordingly. In enterprise procurement and maintenance, ensuring firmware is updated to the latest supported revision is prudent because newer microcode updates frequently improve memory training stability and compatibility with higher density DIMMs. When planning upgrades, administrators should cross-reference Dell’s memory compatibility matrices and service manuals to avoid unsupported module/BIOS combinations that may result in reduced speed or unsupported configurations.

ECC Registered

ECC Registered memory modules like the Dell A6994464 are essential in environments where data integrity and uptime are primary concerns. ECC corrects single-bit errors on the fly, preventing transient faults caused by electrical noise, cosmic rays, or aging components from corrupting application data. Registered buffering ensures signal integrity when many memory modules are placed on a single channel; this is particularly important in high-capacity servers where electrical loading could otherwise cause intermittent errors or force static frequency reduction. For enterprise workloads such as financial transaction processing, scientific simulations, and VM host clusters, the additional stability conferred by ECC Registered memory reduces the frequency of unexplained application crashes, kernel panics, and silent errors, which in turn decreases mean time to repair and improves overall system reliability metrics.

Performance

The Dell A6994464 operates at 1333MT/s and typically uses JEDEC timings appropriate for PC3-10600, which produces solid bandwidth for multi-core processors found in PowerEdge systems designed for DDR3. Quad-rank modules can introduce slightly higher CAS latency compared to single-rank modules due to additional address/command routing, but their higher density enables much larger aggregate memory pools which can have a substantially positive effect on application-level performance when memory capacity is the limiting factor. For database workloads that benefit from large in-memory caches, the throughput advantages of large capacity modules frequently outweigh the modest latency tradeoffs. For virtualization hosts, increased physical memory per server reduces the need for host-level swapping and memory ballooning, thereby improving responsiveness across many guest instances.

Scalability

Virtualized environments are particularly sensitive to available RAM. Provisioning servers with multiple 32GB ECC Registered modules dramatically raises the practical number of VMs and memory-intensive services per host without sacrificing stability. This density supports consolidation efforts, lowers per-VM overhead, and can reduce overall datacenter operating costs through fewer physical servers needed to host identical workloads. In addition, memory overcommit ratios can be managed more conservatively, improving quality of service. Large modules also simplify inventory and reduce complexity of upgrades because fewer physical DIMMs are required to reach a target total capacity, which further decreases the probability of module failure events and eases DIMM slot constraints.

Thermal

High-density ECC Registered DIMMs generate heat proportional to operating voltage, frequency, and activity level. In dense configurations, server chassis cooling must maintain optimal airflow to avoid thermal throttling and to preserve reliability. Dedicated server fans, front-to-back airflow design, and unobstructed airflow paths through DIMM banks are essential. The Registered buffer also marginally increases power draw per module relative to unbuffered consumer DIMMs; administrators should factor this into power provisioning and thermal design, particularly in blade and high-density rack environments. Power budgets per chassis and per rack must account for peak memory currents during heavy memory I/O operations. Monitoring systems should track module-level and system-level temperatures and log thermal events to anticipate and remediate cooling issues.

Comparing

Choosing Dell A6994464 modules over consumer-grade unbuffered DIMMs or over newer DDR4/DDR5 technologies depends on platform compatibility and cost-performance tradeoffs. For legacy PowerEdge servers designed for DDR3, this module ensures full compatibility and leverages ECC Registered advantages. When compared to unbuffered ECC, Registered modules support higher population counts and denser configurations, making them preferable in memory-laden server roles. While newer DDR4 and DDR5 modules provide higher frequencies and improved per-bit power efficiency, migrating to those technologies requires platform replacement.