Why Can't Server RAM Work in Optiplex 990?

YeemaiI on 01/09/2020 - 14:23
Last edited 01/09/2020 - 15:42 by 1 other user

I have tried installing some server RAM I bought second hand into my Optiplex 990 MT MOBO. The PC didn't boot to Windows properly. Installed non server RAM and worked perfectly.

Anyone know why my server RAM doesn't work? I read somewhere that if the server RAM is ECC, then it won't work in a regular desktop. Is this true?

• 

  wiipantz on 01/09/2020 - 14:26

  +10

  Yes

  /thread

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  [Deactivated] on 01/09/2020 - 14:40

  +2

  I read somewhere that if the server RAM is ECC, then it won't work in a regular desktop. Is this true?

  Most of the time this is true. Some desktops will work with ECC, but they are very much in the minority. The OptiPlex 990 MT does not.

  • 

    JimmyF on 01/09/2020 - 14:59

    Some desktops will work with ECC, but they are very much in the minority

    Correct, generally the workstation range and these normally have 'server' based CPUs like Xeon for example to match.

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  JimmyF on 01/09/2020 - 14:47

  I read somewhere that if the server RAM is ECC, then it won't work in a regular desktop. Is this true?

  This is true.Unless the MB works/accepts ECC RAM then it won't work.

  /thread.

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  davemac on 04/09/2020 - 19:51

  Also keep in mind that ECC ram comes in two flavours: unbuffered (desktop ECC ram) and registered ECC (server).

  My hp microserver only supports unbuffered ECC, not Registered (the cheap second hand RDRAM that you will find tons of on eBay).

  • 

    [Deactivated] on 05/09/2020 - 22:19

    Load reduced as well (for servers that take lots of ram).