CPU-Z Output - Is memory ECC or not?

[goombawaho]

Here's a portion of the output file from running CPU-Z on a server (Dell PowerEdge 800).

Does the line below labeled "correction ----- none" indicate that the memory is NON-ECC? I don't want to make a mistake ordering more RAM for this thing because you can't mix and match ECC with non-ECC RAM.


Memory SPD
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

DIMM # 1
SMBus address 0x50
Memory type DDR2
Module format Regular UDIMM
Manufacturer (ID) STT (7F7F7F7F7F7F3400)
Size 1024 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC2-6400 (400 MHz)
Part number SUPERTALENT01
Manufacturing date Week 32/Year 07
Number of banks 2
Data width 64 bits
Correction None
Nominal Voltage 1.80 Volts
EPP no
XMP no
JEDEC timings table CL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS-tRC @ frequency
JEDEC #1 3.0-3-3-9-12 @ 200 MHz
JEDEC #2 4.0-4-4-12-16 @ 266 MHz
JEDEC #3 5.0-5-5-18-23 @ 400 MHz
SPD registers
00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 0A 0B 0C 0D 0E 0F
00 80 08 08 0E 0A 61 40 00 05 25 40 00 82 08 00 00
10 0C 04 38 01 02 00 07 3D 50 50 60 32 1E 32 2D 80
20 17 25 05 12 3C 1E 1E 00 30 39 69 80 14 1E 00 00
30 00 03 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 12 5F
40 7F 7F 7F 7F 7F 7F 34 00 01 53 55 50 45 52 54 41
50 4C 45 4E 54 30 31 00 00 00 00 00 02 00 07 2C 00
60 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
70 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
80 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF
90 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF
A0 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF
B0 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF
C0 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF
D0 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF
E0 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF
F0 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF

DIMM # 2
SMBus address 0x52
Memory type DDR2
Module format Regular UDIMM
Manufacturer (ID) STT (7F7F7F7F7F7F3400)
Size 1024 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC2-6400 (400 MHz)
Part number SUPERTALENT01
Manufacturing date Week 32/Year 07
Number of banks 2
Data width 64 bits
Correction None
Nominal Voltage 1.80 Volts
EPP no
XMP no
JEDEC timings table CL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS-tRC @ frequency
JEDEC #1 3.0-3-3-9-12 @ 200 MHz
JEDEC #2 4.0-4-4-12-16 @ 266 MHz
JEDEC #3 5.0-5-5-18-23 @ 400 MHz
SPD registers
00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 0A 0B 0C 0D 0E 0F
00 80 08 08 0E 0A 61 40 00 05 25 40 00 82 08 00 00
10 0C 04 38 01 02 00 07 3D 50 50 60 32 1E 32 2D 80
20 17 25 05 12 3C 1E 1E 00 30 39 69 80 14 1E 00 00
30 00 03 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 12 5F
40 7F 7F 7F 7F 7F 7F 34 00 01 53 55 50 45 52 54 41
50 4C 45 4E 54 30 31 00 00 00 00 00 02 00 07 2C 00
60 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
70 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
80 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF
90 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF
A0 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF
B0 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF
C0 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF AB FF FF FF FF FF FF FF
D0 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF
E0 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF
F0 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF

 

[danomac]

I wouldn't rely on the information from CPU-Z to determine that. Best way is to check in the server's BIOS.

I know that CPU-Z does calculations to determine other values of the RAM, so who knows where it gets that ECC information from.

 

[goombawaho]

That's NOT what I wanted to hear since I can't touch the server's BIOS remotely. Any other opinions that are 100% for sure.

 

[Sympology]

If your allowed, what about running crucials memory advisor on it?

Robert Wilensky:
We've all heard that a million monkeys banging on a million typewriters will eventually reproduce the entire works of Shakespeare. Now, thanks to the Internet, we know this is not true.

 

[danomac]

I know on linux you can use dmidecode to read the BIOS information without having access to the BIOS. That may be an option, but I don't know if you can get dmidecode for Windows.

 

[cdogg]

Yes, the line that says "Correction - None" does indicate that it is non-ECC or non-parity memory.

Can you visually inspect the module? If the number of chips on the DIMM is divisible by 3, then it is ECC. Typically the number is either 9 or 12. Of course, almost all ECC DIMMs I've seen are also labeled ECC, but I realize reading the label while it's installed is a little hard to do!

The problem with running a software program like CPU-Z to determine this is that the setting to turn ECC on might be disabled in the BIOS. This may or may not prevent CPU-Z from detecting the correct type. I'm willing to bet it's right, but at the risk of ordering the wrong memory for a customer, visual inspection to verify that would be best.

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Einstein
[tab][navy]For posting policies, click [/navy]here.

 

[danomac]

Open mouth, insert foot. Apparently you can, it's on sourceforge.

If you run dmidecode like this:

dmidecode -t memory

You should get output similar to this (this is from a PC in my house):

SMBIOS 2.5 present.

Handle 0x0008, DMI type 5, 20 bytes
Memory Controller Information
        Error Detecting Method: None
        Error Correcting Capabilities:
                None
        Supported Interleave: One-way Interleave
        Current Interleave: One-way Interleave
        Maximum Memory Module Size: 4096 MB
        Maximum Total Memory Size: 8192 MB
        Supported Speeds:
                70 ns
                60 ns
        Supported Memory Types:
                DIMM
                SDRAM
        Memory Module Voltage: 3.3 V
        Associated Memory Slots: 2
                0x0009
                0x000A
        Enabled Error Correcting Capabilities:
                None

Handle 0x0009, DMI type 6, 12 bytes
Memory Module Information
        Socket Designation: DIMM A1
        Bank Connections: 0 1
        Current Speed: 30 ns
        Type: DIMM SDRAM
        Installed Size: 2048 MB (Double-bank Connection)
        Enabled Size: 2048 MB (Double-bank Connection)
        Error Status: OK

The first part tells me the memory controller hasn't enabled any error correcting capability (I don't have ECC RAM at home) and the second gives you information about the sockets. I clipped the one empty socket.

 

[danomac]

cdogg: He doesn't have physical access to the machine.

 

[goombawaho]

Yeah, I was trying to get the customer to order the correct memory so it's there when I arrive vs. having to go out there again (and bill him) just to see what type of memory he's got, not to mention shutting the server down.

Does anyone think the Crucial Memory Advisor will be able to tell for sure that the memory is ECC even if it were disabled in the BIOS? I can get remote access to the server, but if the results of the Crucial Advisor won't be 100%, I'm not going to tell him to order anything until I can touch the machine.

 

[tf1]

The poweredge 800 uses EEC Unbuffered DDR2 memory. 4 slots up to 1GB per slot(max 4GB) and must be installed in matched pairs.

I suggest 4 x 1GB modules. That would be 2 x CT908821 kits from Crucial.


Regards: Terry

 

[goombawaho]

You don't HAVE to use ECC from what I read. I know how much it can handle in total and per slot. I'm just stuck on what's in it right now.

Per CRUCIAL:
Q: Does my computer support ECC memory?

A: Yes.

Your system supports ECC. You can put non-ECC modules into an ECC system, but be sure not to mix ECC and non-ECC modules within a system. Install the same type of modules that are already in your system.

 

[tf1]

My understanding is that all PE800s were fitted with ECC memory. This one seems to have the slower 400MHz memory. If its going to be upgraded, do it properly and fit 4 x 1GB of ECC 533MHz for best results. Memory is cheap and this makes the most sense.



Regards: Terry

 

[goombawaho]

Originally it shipped with 512MB - 256 x 2, so it had been upgraded previously by someone else to 1GB x 2. We are not replacing the existing memory per the owner unless you want to send the money to fund your recommendation. He's as tight as an oil drum.

I'll consider this one closed and just go over there to make sure.