RAM upgrade for my ESXi server

[meester]

I have a server running ESXi (free edition).

It has 2*Xeon E5620 CPUs and an Asus Z8NA-D6 motherboard running Windows XP clients + 1 * Windows server.

Currently I have 6 * 2GB RAM Hynix HMT125R7AFP4C-G7TB RAM (DDR3-1066)

I want more RAM, and I don't want to spend more money than necessary.

Any thoughts what I should buy?

(Memory compatibility list is here:

http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/socket1366/Z8NA-D6/QVL/Z8NA-D6_Memory_AVL_111229.pdf)

 

[ch33zw1z]

What's the end amount of RAM you need? you looking to double it? triple it?

 

[deaner]

Yea---how big do u need the environment to be?

Example: I run XenServer and picked up a killer Dell 1U server, Dual L5520, 72Gb ram for $429.

Now, I have a full Citrix XenApp / XenDesktop - VDI environment, wyse clients that I have setup for home use, and I am just about done with the 72GB.

So, ultimetley, what is the goal?

 

[Dahak]

Also don't forget that the free esxi 5.1 is limited to a max of 32GB of ram.
This limitation was removed in esxi 5.5

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Buy the biggest DIMMs you can afford and that make sense for your intended environment. None of us can tell you what to buy because we really don't know what you intend to use.

For example, I've been using 16 GB ECC DIMMs in my main dual Xeon server. They were hovering between $120 and $170 per DIMM while the 32 GB DIMMs were almost $900. Recently the 32 GB DIMMs have come into the $500 - $600 range so I may decide to start filling slots with those. SuperMicro recently upgraded the max RAM on my board to 1 TB, which would use 64 GB DIMMs so I have a good upgrade path. I'm currently sitting at 128 GB and more will be on the way soon.

 

[meester]

Is it ok to just buy any random RAM? Or should I stick with the compatibility list?

Can I mix RAM e.g., buy one 16GB and keep the other five 2GB?

 

[ch33zw1z]

stick with Compatibility list

I would try to keep each side matched up. instead of one 16GB, get 2x8GB and give each cpu 1x8GB and 2x2GB

 

[deaner]

stick with Compatibility list

I would try to keep each side matched up. instead of one 16GB, get 2x8GB and give each cpu 1x8GB and 2x2GB

Pffft... rumor.

 

[imagoon]

Pffft... rumor.

While you don't need to, it affects RAM performance because now the other CPU needs to query the remote CPU's RAM for most transactions. If this wasn't a problem, NUMA wouldn't exist nor would ESXi be NUMA aware.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Pffft... rumor.

my sarcasm meter must be busted. you can't be serious.