AC529145 Dell 64GB DDR5-4800MT/s PC5 38400 ECC Memory Module

Dell AC529145 VxRail 64GB DDR5 Memory Kit

The Dell AC529145 is a specific, factory-original memory module engineered exclusively for compatible Dell VxRail hyper-converged infrastructure systems and certain Dell PowerEdge servers. This part number ensures genuine Dell quality, firmware compatibility, and system validation, which is critical for maintaining support contracts and system stability in enterprise environments. Using this certified module prevents potential compatibility issues that can arise from using third-party or uncertified memory in sensitive server deployments.

Form Factor

This module is a single 64GB (1x64GB) memory stick. It utilizes the 288-pin Dual In-Line Memory Module (DIMM) physical form factor, which is the standard for DDR5 server memory. The physical design is crucial for proper installation into the server's memory slots, ensuring a secure electrical and physical connection. The specific PCB layout and component placement are designed to meet Dell's stringent signal integrity requirements for high-speed data transfer.

Detailed Memory Technology

DDR5 Generation Advancements

This module belongs to the DDR5 (Double Data Rate 5) generation of memory technology, representing a significant leap over previous DDR4 modules. Key architectural improvements include a burst length of 16, compared to 8 in DDR4, and a more robust command/address bus. The onboard Power Management IC (PMIC) is a hallmark of DDR5, shifting power management from the motherboard to the DIMM itself. This allows for more granular power control and better power delivery efficiency, which is vital for dense server configurations where power and heat are primary concerns.

On-Die ECC (Error Correction Code)

A fundamental feature of DDR5 memory is the inclusion of On-Die ECC. This means that each memory chip on the module has its own internal error-correcting code logic. It corrects bit errors within the chip itself before the data is sent to the system's main ECC logic. This two-tiered ECC approach (On-Die + Registered ECC) dramatically improves data integrity and reliability, reducing soft error rates and is essential for ensuring data accuracy in mission-critical applications and large-scale data processing.

Speed and Data Transfer Rates

The module operates at a data rate of 4800 Megatransfers per second (MT/s). In terms of timing, it is classified as PC5-38400. The "PC5" denotes a DDR5 module, and the "38400" refers to the peak bandwidth in megabytes per second (MB/s) for the module. Specifically, a single 64GB module like the AC529145 can achieve a theoretical peak bandwidth of approximately 38.4 GB/s. This high bandwidth is critical for feeding data-hungry CPUs in servers, reducing bottlenecks in virtualization, database query processing, and high-performance computing tasks.

Latency and Timings

The module's CAS Latency (CL) is rated at CL40. CAS Latency is the number of clock cycles between a read command and the moment the data is available. While a lower CL is generally faster, DDR5's higher base clock speeds mean that its absolute latency (in nanoseconds) can be comparable or better than older generations with lower CL values. The CL40 timing at 4800MT/s is a standard and well-balanced timing for server-grade DDR5 memory, providing an optimal blend of high bandwidth and responsive latency for enterprise workloads.

Advanced Memory Architecture

Dual Rank

This is a Dual Rank (DR) module. A "rank" is an independent set of memory chips that the memory controller can access at one time. A dual-rank module has two such sets of chips on a single physical DIMM. This architecture allows the memory controller to access one rank while the other is preparing data, effectively improving overall memory efficiency and throughput by interleaving commands. For servers, dual-rank modules often provide a better balance of performance, capacity, and electrical load on the memory controller compared to single-rank modules.

x4 Data Width and Chip Organization

The memory chips on this module are organized with a x4 data width. This means each chip provides 4 bits of data per access. This x4 organization is particularly important for Server ECC (Error Correcting Code) implementation, as it enables the use of SDDC (Single Device Data Correction), also known as Chipkill. SDDC can correct a multi-bit error from a single DRAM chip failure, a level of reliability that is paramount in enterprise servers where uncorrected memory errors can lead to system crashes or data corruption.

ECC and Registered Features

The module features both ECC and Registered (RDIMM) technologies. ECC detects and corrects single-bit memory errors and detects double-bit errors, safeguarding data integrity. The "Registered" component refers to the presence of a Register (or RCD - Registering Clock Driver) on the DIMM. This register buffers the command and address signals between the memory controller and the DRAM chips, reducing the electrical load on the controller. This allows a single memory channel to support more DIMMs, enabling higher total memory capacities in a server—a critical requirement for memory-intensive applications.

Comparison with Other DIMM Types

It is important to distinguish this RDIMM from other types like UDIMM (Unbuffered) or LRDIMM (Load Reduced). UDIMMs lack a register, are lower cost and lower latency but support far less capacity per channel and are typically used in entry-level servers and workstations. LRDIMMs use a memory buffer (MB) that buffers both data and command/address signals, allowing for even higher capacities than RDIMMs but at a slightly higher cost and latency. The Dell AC529145, as an RDIMM, sits in the sweet spot for mainstream server deployments, offering high capacity and robust performance with strong reliability.

Dell PowerEdge Servers

Supported Platforms

Beyond VxRail, this module is also compatible with a range of Dell PowerEdge servers that support DDR5 memory technology. This includes 16th generation and newer PowerEdge platforms. Specific models must be verified using the Dell compatibility matrix, but this typically includes high-performance servers like the R760, R760xa, R760xd2, and similar tower and multi-node platforms. These servers are the workhorses of modern data centers, powering everything from enterprise databases and ERP systems to AI/ML inference and data analytics platforms.

Ideal Workload Scenarios

Memory-Intensive Applications

The high capacity and bandwidth of the Dell AC529145 make it exceptionally well-suited for memory-intensive workloads. In virtualized environments, this translates to higher virtual machine density, allowing more VMs to run on a single physical host without performance degradation. For in-memory databases like SAP HANA, Redis, or Oracle TimesTen, large memory capacities are a fundamental requirement, as the entire dataset resides in RAM for ultra-low latency access. This module provides the necessary foundation for such demanding applications.

High-Performance Computing (HPC)

In High-Performance Computing clusters and AI/ML training environments, large memory capacity is crucial for processing massive datasets and complex models. While GPUs handle the core computation, the CPU and system memory are responsible for feeding data to the GPUs at a sufficient rate to keep them utilized. A bottleneck in memory bandwidth or capacity can significantly slow down overall job completion times. The 64GB capacity and 4800MT/s speed of this DIMM help prevent such bottlenecks, ensuring that computational resources are used efficiently.

Enterprise Reliability

The combination of ECC, Registered design, and x4 chip organization with SDDC makes this module a cornerstone for any application where data integrity and system uptime are paramount. This includes financial transaction processing, healthcare information systems, and corporate email and collaboration platforms. The advanced error correction capabilities protect against silent data corruption, which can be catastrophic in these contexts, ensuring that the data being processed and stored is accurate and reliable.

Data Integrity

When planning a server memory configuration, it's important to balance total capacity with speed and channel utilization. Populating all memory channels with identical modules (like the AC529145) will yield the highest memory bandwidth. A server with two CPUs, each with 8 memory channels, would ideally have 16 identical 64GB modules for a total of 1TB of RAM, maximizing both capacity and performance. Mixing this module with other capacities (e.g., 32GB or 128GB) may be possible but can result in the system running all memory at the speed of the slowest module and may impose specific population rules that limit performance.