Rob_991,  The issue you are running into is due to the R710 needing the 3 memory channels to match.  Each nine-socket set is organized into three channels with three memory sockets per channel. As shown below each processor has 3 memory channels, which when required to match, only allows a single channel to be populated.  So with only having a couple of 16GB dimms, you are only able to populate a channel on each side. What I would suggest is adding a couple more 16GB dimms and populate A1, A2, B1, B2 with them, and then place 4GB in A4,A5,A7, and A8, as well as B4, B5, B7, and finally B8. That gives you two channels on each side, as well as 96GB of memory.   [IMAGE]   Let me know if this helps answer your question.
Hi All, I'm sure I'm missing something but I've read the two technical documents regarding memory configuration in the Dell R710. I've got a server that currently has 48GB in laid out as follows A1 - 4GB A4 - 4GB A2 - 4GB A5 - 4GB A3 - 4GB A6 - 4GB (This is then the same on the B side) According to the BIOS it's set to 'Optimized' Now I have 2x16GB Sticks which I wanted to install, the only way I could get it working without the BIOS moaning was to install as follows: A2 - 16GB A5 - 4GB A8 - 4GB (Duplicated on B side) Giving 72GB. As I read the manual I should be able to mix memory sizes for 'optimized' as long as I go from A1 to A9 and so I have a further 6x4GB sticks left I want to install. My logic is I can fill from A1 to A9, mixing the 16GB in, however when I try I get the error about A1/A2/A3 needing to be the same? Am I missing something simple? I'm unable to make changes in the BIOS, the memory is all the same type (Purchased from Dell)
Dell R710 - Memory Configuration