A7945660 Dell 16GB RAM 2133MHz Pc4-17000 ECC DDR4 SDRAM 288-pin

Dell A7945660 16GB Memory Overview

The Dell A7945660 is a 16GB DDR4 registered ECC memory module engineered for enterprise-class workstations and PowerEdge servers. This module is specified as PC4-17000 (DDR4-2133), operating at a data rate of 2133 MT/s and rated to the JEDEC standard for DDR4 systems. Physically it conforms to the 288-pin DIMM form factor and is built as a dual-rank 2Rx4 configuration with x4 chip organization, optimized for server memory channels that demand high density and error correction support. The module’s CAS latency is commonly listed as CL15 and it runs at a low-voltage 1.2V platform typical for DDR4 devices.

Memory

Dual-rank memory like the A7945660 organizes banks of DRAM chips into two logical ranks per module, effectively presenting the motherboard with two sets of memory that the memory controller can access alternately. A 2Rx4 arrangement implies two ranks with x4 chip geometry, a design that balances capacity, compatibility, and throughput for multi-CPU and multi-channel server motherboards.

Registered ECC

The A7945660 is an ECC Registered DIMM (RDIMM), meaning it includes on-module register/buffer logic to reduce electrical load on the memory bus while providing Error Correcting Code capabilities. ECC corrects single-bit errors and detects multi-bit errors automatically, an essential feature in server and workstation environments where silent memory errors can lead to data corruption, application instability, or system crashes. Registered buffering, combined with ECC, allows system designs to support higher memory capacities and denser configurations across many DIMM slots while maintaining signal integrity, making RDIMMs like the A7945660 the standard choice for PowerEdge and enterprise-class Dell servers.

Compatibility

Dell ensures compatibility of A7945660 modules with an extensive range of PowerEdge servers and select Dell workstations. Typical server families listed for this include popular enterprise chassis where certified memory is required for validated system configurations. Third-party or aftermarket equivalents can be functionally compatible but may lack Dell validation, firmware tuning, or support assurances.

Use Cases

The A7945660 is purpose-built for multi-socket servers and high-capacity workstations that run enterprise workloads. Typical use cases include virtualization hosts running dozens of virtual machines, database nodes where consistent low-latency memory is critical for transaction throughput, analytics servers processing large in-memory data sets, and general-purpose compute nodes in clusters. In such environments, the balance between capacity (16GB), error-correcting reliability (ECC), and signal stability (registered buffering) makes this module a go-to choice for administrators who must keep uptime high and data integrity intact.

Multi-Channel Memory

Modern server platforms employ multi-channel memory architectures, typically supporting four or more memory channels per CPU. Proper population of channels with matched RDIMMs such as the A7945660 is essential to unlock aggregate bandwidth. When installed in balanced channel configurations, dual-rank modules can sometimes produce higher effective throughput than single-rank modules because memory controllers can interleave accesses across ranks and channels. Because the A7945660 is a registered, dual-rank DIMM, architects should populate symmetric channel slots across processors to achieve the fullest multi-channel performance potential and ensure predictable latency behavior under heavy concurrency.

Performance

Compared to higher-frequency DDR4 parts, a 2133 MT/s RDIMM offers robust stability at industry-standard voltages while delivering solid per-core memory bandwidth. In workloads that favor predictable latency and data integrity—such as transactional databases or memory-resident caching systems—the deterministic behavior of ECC and the validated firmware tuning present in Dell-branded modules yield measurable reliability benefits.

CAS Latency

CAS latency, listed as CL15 for this part, represents the delay between a read command and the availability of data. When combined with the 2133 MT/s transfer rate, CL15 yields a latency profile that is well-matched to many server workloads. While lower CAS numbers at higher frequencies can appear advantageous on paper, in production systems the whole-platform interaction—BIOS/firmware memory training, DIMM rank interleaving, and registered buffering—often determines latency-sensitive behavior more than raw CAS alone. Administrators upgrading existing systems with A7945660 modules should test the target application stack to validate that latency and throughput improvements are consistent with expectations.

Thermal

Running at 1.2 volts, the A7945660 aligns with DDR4’s reduced-power design relative to previous generations. Lower operating voltage helps decrease module heat output and contributes to power efficiency across large server farms. However, effective thermal management remains critical; densely populated server blades and racks can create hotspots, and administrators must ensure sufficient airflow and thermal headroom to prevent thermal throttling or accelerated component aging. Power efficiency combined with ECC protection makes this type of memory attractive for 24/7 production environments where operational costs and reliability are both top priorities.

Database

Databases and in-memory analytics engines are particularly sensitive to memory corruption and to throughput constraints. The A7945660’s balance of 16GB capacity per DIMM and server-grade reliability makes it suitable for scaling nodes where memory is a primary limiting resource. Because many analytics workloads scale horizontally with memory footprint, administrators will often mix multiple A7945660 DIMMs to reach the target working set while relying on ECC to maintain trust in transient in-memory computations. RDIMM support in server platforms also simplifies upgrades, as modules can be added to existing systems with minimal reconfiguration when adhering to vendor population rules.