Samsung M321R2GA3BB6-CQKMG 16GB RAM RDIMM PC5-38400R. New

Product Overview — Samsung 16GB DDR5 Registered RDIMM

Discover the Samsung M321R2GA3BB6-CQKMG — a server-grade 16GB DDR5 SDRAM module engineered for enterprise systems and data centers. This single-module memory stick combines high throughput, error-correcting reliability, and power-efficient operation for mission-critical workloads.

Module Details

Manufacturer: Samsung
Part Number: M321R2GA3BB6-CQKMG
Product Type: Memory module / RAM stick
Quantity: Single module (1x16GB)

Performance & Timings

Bus Speed: 4800 Mbps — optimized for high-bandwidth server tasks
Latency: CL40 — predictable timing for database and virtualization loads
Rank & Organization: 1Rx8 for efficient channel utilization

Key Features & Highlights

Capacity: 16GB (1 x 16GB) single module
Memory Type: DDR5 SDRAM — next-generation volatile memory
Rated Speed: 4800 Mbps (DDR5-4800 / PC5-38400)
Error Correction: ECC (Error-Correcting Code) for improved data integrity
Registered / Buffered: RDIMM (Registered) for enhanced stability in multi-module server configurations
CAS Latency: CL40 — fine-tuned timing for balanced latency and throughput
Rank Configuration: 1R x8 (single-rank, x8 organization)
Operating Voltage: 1.1V — energy-efficient low-voltage operation
Form Factor: 288-pin RDIMM designed for server and workstation motherboards

Reliability & Compatibility

Server-Grade Reliability

Built with ECC and registered buffering, this DIMM improves fault tolerance and reduces the risk of data corruption — essential for servers, storage arrays, and professional workstations.

Compatibility

Designed for motherboards that support DDR5 RDIMM (288-pin) sockets.
Check system vendor memory compatibility lists (QVL) for best results with multi-channel and multi-module setups.
Ideal for enterprise-class platforms, rackmount servers, and high-availability systems.

Physical Characteristics & Shipping

Dimensions & Packaging

Form Factor: 288-pin RDIMM
Shipping Size (approx.): 1.00" (height) × 6.75" (depth)
Protection: Anti-static packaging for safe transit

Advantages of This Memory Module

High Data Throughput: 4800 Mbps supports heavy I/O and memory-bound applications.
Enterprise Reliability: ECC + registered buffering ensures stable long-term operation.
Energy Efficient: 1.1V operation lowers power consumption and heat output.
Trusted Brand: Samsung manufacturing quality and rigorous testing for server use.

Decoding the Module: Samsung M321R2GA3BB6-CQKMG Specifications

Every character in this module's lengthy part number signifies a key attribute, defining its place in the server ecosystem. Let's deconstruct the Samsung M321R2GA3BB6-CQKMG to understand its role:

Capacity and Configuration: 16GB (1x16GB) 1Rx8

This module offers a single 16-gigabyte capacity in a monolithic package. The "1x16GB" denotes a single module, while "1Rx8" refers to its internal rank and organization. A single rank (1R) means all memory chips on the module are accessed simultaneously for a full data width. The "x8" indicates the DRAM chips have an 8-bit internal architecture. This configuration offers an optimal balance of capacity, performance, and electrical load for many single- and dual-processor server platforms, allowing for flexible population to achieve total system memory goals (e.g., 64GB with four modules, 128GB with eight).

The DDR5 Revolution: 4800 Mbps & PC5-38400

This module belongs to the transformative DDR5 generation. The data rate of 4800 Megatransfers per second (MT/s) is a significant leap over DDR4's common speeds. This translates to a peak theoretical bandwidth of approximately 38.4 GB/s per module (calculated as 4800 MT/s * 8 bytes / 1024 for GB/s). The designation PC5-38400 follows JEDEC standards, where "38400" represents the module's bandwidth in megabytes per second (MB/s), further confirming its high-speed pedigree. This increased speed accelerates data access for CPUs, reducing bottlenecks in data-intensive applications.

Core Server Technologies: ECC and Registered

These two features are the definitive markers of true server memory.

ECC (Error-Correcting Code)

ECC is non-negotiable for data-critical environments. It goes beyond simple error detection. The module includes extra bits (e.g., 8 bits for a 64-bit word) to form an error-correcting code. When data is written, a code is calculated and stored. Upon readback, the code is recalculated and compared. If a single-bit error (a flipped 0 to 1 or vice versa) is detected, the circuitry automatically corrects it on the fly without interrupting system operation. This prevents silent data corruption, system crashes, and computational errors that could be catastrophic in financial, scientific, or database servers.

Registered (RDIMM)

A Registered Dual In-line Memory Module (RDIMM) incorporates a register, or buffer, located between the memory controller and the DRAM chips. This register handles command and address signals, stabilizing them and reducing the electrical load on the controller. This allows servers to support a much higher number of memory modules per channel (increasing total system capacity) while maintaining signal integrity and system stability. The trade-off is a slight latency increase (typically one clock cycle), which is vastly outweighed by the gains in capacity and reliability for server workloads.

Voltage, Timing, and Form Factor: 1.1V, CL40, 288-Pin

DDR5 introduces improved power management. The operating voltage of 1.1V is lower than DDR4's typical 1.2V, contributing to better power efficiency—a crucial factor in dense data center deployments where heat and power consumption are major operational costs. The CL40 CAS Latency timing, while numerically higher than DDR4 latencies, must be understood in the context of the much faster clock cycles of DDR5. The actual nanosecond delay is competitive or improved. The 288-pin form factor is physically and electrically incompatible with DDR4's 284-pin design, ensuring correct installation in dedicated DDR5 server motherboards.

Target Applications and Use Cases

The Samsung M321R2GA3BB6-CQKMG is not for gaming PCs or home offices. It is engineered for environments where uptime and data integrity are paramount.

Enterprise Servers and Data Centers

This module is a building block for mainstream enterprise servers from vendors like Dell (PowerEdge), HPE (Proliant), Lenovo (ThinkSystem), and Cisco (UCS). It is ideal for roles such as file servers, email servers, web servers, and mid-tier databases, where ECC protection ensures service continuity and registered design supports robust capacity scaling.

Virtualization Hosts

Virtualization platforms like VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, and Proxmox are memory-hungry. A host running dozens of virtual machines requires massive, reliable memory pools. Populating a server with multiple 16GB RDIMMs creates a high-capacity, high-integrity memory resource that can be safely allocated to multiple VMs, ensuring that a memory error in one guest does not affect others or the host.

Business-Critical Databases and ERP Systems

Database servers for SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, and SAP HANA, as well as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, constantly read and write vital business data. The combination of DDR5's high bandwidth (accelerating queries and transactions) and ECC's data protection (preserving data accuracy) makes this module class an excellent choice for these I/O-intensive, mission-critical applications.

High-Performance Computing (HPC)

In computational research, financial modeling, and big data analytics (e.g., Hadoop/Spark clusters), workloads involve processing enormous datasets. The fast data transfer rates of DDR5 4800 modules help feed CPUs and accelerators more quickly, reducing compute idle time. ECC is essential here to guarantee the mathematical correctness of long-running simulations and analyses.