Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD7 (Rev 2.0) and Xeon Processor to support ECC Memory?

[Mad Professor]

Hi All.

I am trying to find out if it is at all possible to for my Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD7 (Rev 2.0) motherboard to support ECC memory.

I know that most consumer grade motherboard do not support ECC memory, and this is normally only reserved for high end PC's, workstations and servers.

My understanding is that the LGA1366 memory controller is integrated into the processor, and no longer uses a motherboard chipset.
I also know that the standard consumer grade processors, i3, i5, and i7, do not support ECC memory.
In my case I am running a Xeon X5570 Processor, this does fully support ECC memory.

However when I try to use ECC memory the system will not POST.

I have a total of 6 matched sticks of ECC memory "24GB (6x4GB) PC3-10600 DDR3-1333 ECC M393B5170GB0-CH9Q8".
I have tried installing all six sticks, as as above the system did not POST.
I then tried 3 sticks in triple channel configuration, the system did not POST.
I then tried 2 sticks in dual channel configuration, the system did not POST.
I then tried a single stick, in each slot in turn, the system did not POST each time.

I know the system is working, as if I use 2x4GB non-ecc memory the system will post just fine.

As said above the motherboard is a Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD7 (Rev 2.0) and running Bios Version: FD (2012/11/09).

Thanks for your time.

Best Regards.

[Mad Professor]

Re: Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD7 (Rev 2.0) and Xeon Processor to support ECC Memory?

Does anyone have any views on my question, and or my reasoning.

[profJim]

Re: Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD7 (Rev 2.0) and Xeon Processor to support ECC Memory?

If you want to use ECC ram in an LGA1366 Xeon system it looks like the motherboard needs to be a server or workstation board that uses an Intel 5000 series chipset (IOH or I/O Hub).

From: http://forums.tweaktown.com/asrock/4...3-ram-not.html

post #2 (from Asus Tech Support):

The X58 chipset does not support registered memory so no BIOS update will help in this case. I'm assuming that your Intel server board is not of X58 chipset but most likely it's chipset is 55XX, which is why it does support registered RAM. Intel states that for the 1366 socket, only chipset series 55xx supports registered memory.

post #3:

You can use ECC Unbuffered memory but not registered memory in an X58 board. To use Registered memory, the system must be a dual processor package or better which would require the use of the intel 5000 series chipset.

Web searches for more information:

• intel 5000 series chipset
• x58 express chipset vs 5500 series chipset
• x58 xeon ecc

Also check out: [Official] - X58 Xeon Club - with 8736 posts