Dell PowerEdge R6515 Upgrade Guide: RAM and Storage

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RAM: DDR4 RDIMM and LRDIMM, up to 2 TB

The R6515 has 16 DIMM slots, two per channel across eight channels. It uses full-size 288-pin DDR4 modules and no memory is soldered to the board. Only registered ECC modules work: RDIMM or LRDIMM (including 3DS). Unbuffered DIMMs and SO-DIMMs are not supported.

The largest module is 128 GB, and that needs an LRDIMM. RDIMMs top out at 64 GB, which gives 1 TB across all 16 slots. Filling all 16 slots with 128 GB LRDIMMs gives the 2 TB maximum. Smaller RDIMM sizes give 128 GB (8 GB modules), 256 GB (16 GB) or 512 GB (32 GB).

Speed depends on how many slots you fill. With one DIMM per channel, RDIMMs and the newer 128 GB LRDIMMs run at up to 3200 MT/s. With two per channel they drop to 2933 MT/s. The older 128 GB LRDIMM type runs at 2666 MT/s either way. Dell recommends eight equal modules, one per channel, for best performance. In each channel the first socket is white and the second is black. Dell's Technical Guide says to fill back to front. Dell warns that a layout that breaks its population rules may fail to boot, hang, or run with reduced memory.

Dell's documents disagree slightly on 128 GB LRDIMMs. The older Technical Guide lists only a 2666 MT/s type, while the later manual and tech specs list both 2666 and 3200 MT/s types. Both EPYC 7002 and 7003 are supported, and Dell's documents don't say whether memory speed differs between them.

Consejos de compra

• Buy RDIMM or LRDIMM only. Check the label says registered or load-reduced.
• Choose 128 GB modules only if you need the 2 TB ceiling, and confirm whether they are the 2666 or 3200 MT/s type.
• Don't mix the 2666 and 3200 MT/s 128 GB LRDIMMs.
• Don't mix older 32 GB x4 (8Gb) RDIMMs with newer 32 GB x8 (16Gb) RDIMMs.
• For the best speed, buy eight larger modules rather than sixteen small ones.

Storage: front hot-plug bays and optional M.2 boot module

The front bays are set by the chassis configuration chosen at purchase, and Dell's documents don't say they can be changed later. The options are up to 4 x 3.5" SAS/SATA bays, up to 8 x 2.5" SAS/SATA bays, or up to 10 x 2.5" bays. The 10-bay layout is either 8 SAS/SATA/NVMe plus 2 NVMe, or 10 NVMe only. Check how many bays are NVMe-capable before buying NVMe drives, especially on a used unit. All drives need hot-plug caddies.

Dell's Technical Guide lists NVMe SSDs as PCIe Gen3. For capacities it lists 3.5" 7.2K drives up to 16 TB, 2.5" NVMe up to 15.36 TB, 2.5" SAS 10K up to 2.4 TB and 2.5" SAS 15K up to 900 GB. That table may predate newer drives, and no official maximum drive size is documented. It also doesn't show SATA SSD sizes. Dell's documents don't state a drive thickness limit for the 2.5" bays.

Some units have an optional BOSS-S1 card with two M.2 SSDs for boot drives, and it may not be fitted. Dell's documents we checked don't state the M.2 length or whether the drives are SATA or NVMe. M.2 2280 SATA is the likely design, but that isn't confirmed here, so check the BOSS-S1 documentation before buying M.2 drives. There is also one internal USB 3.0 port. No SD or memory-card slot is listed.

Drives connect through a storage controller. Dell lists PERC 9/10 options (HBA330, H330, H730P, H740P, H840) and S150 software RAID in its spec sheet, while its newer manual also lists PERC 11 (H350, HBA350i). Your unit's controller determines which drive types it can use.

Consejos de compra

• Confirm your chassis layout (3.5", 8 x 2.5" or 10 x 2.5") and its NVMe-capable bays before buying drives.
• Buy drives with the right caddy, since the bays are hot-plug and need caddies.
• NVMe drives are listed as PCIe Gen3, so a faster Gen4 drive gains no speed advantage that Dell documents.
• Don't buy M.2 drives for the BOSS-S1 until you've confirmed the size and interface in its documentation.

Cómo ampliar

Antes de empezar

• Check the owner's manual so you know your exact chassis and drive layout.
• Back up your data and note any RAID or controller settings.
• Check your RAM type: you need DDR4 RDIMM or LRDIMM, and the same module type across each processor.
• Have the part, a grounding strap and a clean work surface ready.
• Plan for downtime if you're adding memory or internal parts. Hot-plug drives can be swapped without opening the case, but follow your RAID setup's rules.

Pasos

1. Back up and prepare
   Back up important data and record your current BIOS and RAID settings. Download the owner's manual for the R6515.
2. Power off and unplug
   Shut the server down properly, then disconnect the power cables and any other cables. Dell's manual has a before-working-inside procedure; follow it.
3. Ground yourself
   Wear an anti-static strap or touch bare metal on the chassis before handling parts. Hold memory modules by the edges.
4. Open the case
   Open the system cover as described in the owner's manual. It shows the exact release steps and airflow cover removal.
5. Install the part
   For memory, fit RDIMM or LRDIMM modules into the correct sockets: the white socket first in each channel, then black, ideally one module per channel. For drives, fit the drive into a hot-plug caddy and slide it into a bay. For the BOSS-S1 M.2 module, follow Dell's instructions.
6. Close up and reconnect
   Refit any covers, close the case, and reconnect the cables and power.
7. Check the system sees it
   Power on and check the BIOS or system setup shows the new memory total or drive. If memory is missing or the server won't boot, power off and recheck the module type and socket order against Dell's guidelines.

Es bueno saberlo

• Dell's Technical Guide lists only a 2666 MT/s 128 GB LRDIMM, while the later manual and specs also list a 3200 MT/s type. The Technical Guide appears older.
• Dell's documents differ on 32 GB RDIMMs: the Technical Guide lists x4 only, while the manual describes both x4 (8Gb) and x8 (16Gb) parts.
• Dell's documents differ on controllers: the spec sheet and Technical Guide list PERC 9/10, while the newer manual adds PERC 11.
• No official maximum drive size, drive thickness limit, or M.2 length and interface for the BOSS-S1 is given in the documents we checked.
• This guide doesn't cover CPU upgrades in detail. Confirm compatible EPYC models and BIOS requirements with Dell before buying a processor.
• Drive bay layout and the optional BOSS-S1 module vary by unit, so check any used server's configuration.

Preguntas frecuentes

How much RAM can the Dell PowerEdge R6515 take?

Up to 2 TB, using sixteen 128 GB LRDIMMs. With RDIMMs the maximum is 1 TB, using 64 GB modules.

What type of memory does the R6515 use?

DDR4 registered ECC memory, either RDIMM or LRDIMM. UDIMMs and SO-DIMMs are not supported.

Does the R6515 support NVMe drives?

Yes, but only in some chassis. Options are 8 SAS/SATA/NVMe bays plus 2 NVMe bays, or 10 NVMe-only bays. Dell lists the NVMe SSDs as PCIe Gen3. Confirm your unit's configuration.

Can I mix different DIMMs in the R6515?

Don't mix the 2666 and 3200 MT/s 128 GB LRDIMMs, and don't mix older 32 GB x4 (8Gb) RDIMMs with newer 32 GB x8 (16Gb) ones. Dell advises matching modules and filling one per channel first.

Why is my R6515 memory running below 3200 MT/s?

3200 MT/s applies with one DIMM per channel. With two per channel RDIMMs run at 2933 MT/s, and older 128 GB LRDIMMs run at 2666 MT/s.

Can I upgrade the R6515 processor?

It takes a single AMD EPYC 7002 or 7003 series processor. The Dell documents we checked don't list which CPU models are compatible or give a power limit, so check Dell's manual and your BIOS before buying one.

Documentos y referencias oficiales

• Dell PowerEdge R6515 Technical Specifications: Memory
  Supported DIMM types, sizes and totals
• General memory module installation guidelines
  Population rules and memory speeds
• PDF Dell PowerEdge R6515 Installation and Service Manual (PDF)
  Slot layout, drive options and speed tables
• PDF Dell PowerEdge R6515 Technical Guide (PDF)
  Drive capacities, NVMe and supported DIMMs
• PDF Dell PowerEdge R6515 Spec Sheet (PDF)
  Overview of memory, storage and controllers
• Before working inside your system
  Dell's safety steps before opening the server
• PowerEdge R6515 system overview
  Processor and system summary