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EP2C602-4L/D16 memory installation

Printed From: ASRock.com
Category: Technical Support
Forum Name: Intel Motherboards
Forum Description: Question about ASRock Intel Motherboards
URL: https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3555
Printed Date: 12 Nov 2025 at 9:02am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.04 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: EP2C602-4L/D16 memory installation
Posted By: picto
Subject: EP2C602-4L/D16 memory installation
Date Posted: 08 Oct 2016 at 5:01pm
Hi,
I'm very new to PC build (Mac user) and I don't know where to install my 4 8Go memory modules on the EP2C602-4L/D16 which provides 16 slots.
_ A1,A2 and E1, E2?
or
_ A1, B1 and E1, F1?
...
I read the doc but I'm still confused.
Thanks.




Replies:
Posted By: parsec
Date Posted: 08 Oct 2016 at 10:42pm
Originally posted by picto picto wrote:

Hi,
I'm very new to PC build (Mac user) and I don't know where to install my 4 8Go memory modules on the EP2C602-4L/D16 which provides 16 slots.
_ A1,A2 and E1, E2?
or
_ A1, B1 and E1, F1?
...
I read the doc but I'm still confused.
Thanks.



I must agree that the manual is not at all specific about which DIMM slots to use. Confused

You seem to have four, 8GB DIMMs, so you'll use two per CPU. You have two CPUs, right?

One thing I can tell you with certainty is, you should install your memory in as many memory channels as possible. Your board and processors each support four memory channels, channels A, B, C, and D for one CPU, channels E, F, G, and H for the other CPU. Each CPU can more efficiently use memory when it is installed in as many different channels as possible, rather than more memory in just one or fewer channels.

So putting two DIMMs in the A1 and A2 slots, or E1 and E2 slots, for example, will result in running your memory in single (one) channel mode for each CPU.

Since you only have four DIMMs so far, you can run dual (two) channel memory for each CPU.

But first, which slots should you use, in general. The usual suggestion by Intel and ASRock, including socket 2011 processors, is to populate the DIMM slots that are physically the farthest away from the CPU first. Technically why that is preferred, I'm not 100% sure, but that is what I have seen suggested many times.

So in your situation, you would use the A1 and C1 slots, and the E1 and G1 slots, for two CPUs.

The order of the channels used does not matter, meaning it makes no difference that you skipped channel B or channel F. Remember we are fulfilling the "use the slots farthest from the CPU first" as the first priority, and then populating as many channels as possible, second.

Intel "Mainstream/Performance" type processors (not socket 2011 Xeon or HEDT processor models, that you are using) usually need the memory installed in the '2' slot of each channel, A2 and B2 for example. That is not the case for socket 2011 processors, and the DIMM slots are numbered with the '1' slots farther from the CPU.

The "Mainstream/Performance" type processor mother boards have the '2' DIMM slots farthest from the CPU. Just FYI in case you see information for those processor models, and are wondering about the difference.

Start the board for the first time using the A1, C1, E1, and G1 slots for your memory. If that does not seem to work, we need to check your memory for compatibility first.

What is the full model number of your memory? Also, what processors are you using?

For a new PC builder, you have chosen a rather complex system. That's Ok, but be extra careful. I won't mention the "Mac user" part... oops... Wink

Hints:

Check each CPU socket for bent pins. Be SUPER careful installing the CPUs, if you drop it in the socket, the damage to the pins will be horrendous and likely not repairable by you. There are 2,011 pins in each CPU socket.

You MUST have a power cable from the PSU for BOTH processors. That is the 4/8 pin 12V ATX cable, you must have two of them, plus the standard 24 pin power cable connected. Do not confuse the 4/8 pin CPU power cables with the 8 pin PCIe (video card) power cables. They are NOT compatible.



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Posted By: picto
Date Posted: 09 Oct 2016 at 1:23am
Thank you so much for your answer!
I feel like I know everything LOL

As you said, this first build was a challenge for me but, fortunately, everything finally works fine.
I still need to install my 3D application to see how fast it really is...
About the parts:
_ 4x DDR3 G.Skill Value DDR3 8 Go 1600 MHz NT CAS 11 (F3-1600C11S-8GNT )
_ 2x E5-2670

Thanks again for your helpful and detailed post.
Enregistrer


Posted By: picto
Date Posted: 09 Oct 2016 at 1:57am
Full part list:
http://pcpartpicker.com/list/6g29KZ" rel="nofollow - http://pcpartpicker.com/list/6g29KZ


Posted By: johnsmith
Date Posted: 26 Dec 2017 at 6:21am
" rel="nofollow - Hi guys
I have two questions
1. Can I use just one CPU? I don't need at this moment 2 CPUs but in future for sure it will happen
2. Memory compatibility, I have two to buy but not sure, I checked docs but I'm confused
* Hynix HMT31GR7BFR4C-H9 8GB DIMM DDR3 1333 MHz PC3-10600R CL9 ECC RDIMM RAM REG
* Hynix HMT31GR7CFR4C-PB PC3-12800R Registered Server Memory

Can you confirm both will work?

Thanks


Posted By: Coool
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2018 at 6:22am
Originally posted by johnsmith johnsmith wrote:

" rel="nofollow -
1. Can I use just one CPU? I don't need at this moment 2 CPUs but in future for sure it will happen

I'm currently using one CPU in CPU_BSP1 socket. Wink


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http://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3211" rel="nofollow - ASRock Rack EP2C602-4L/D16 Support
http://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12080" rel="nofollow - ASRock Fatal1ty Z370 Gaming-ITX/ac Support



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