Re: Memory costs

[Larry Bolhuis <lbolhuis@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Well here's the real deal.

1) There ARE rules which must be followed.
   1a) DIMMs must be added in PAIRs or QUADs (varies by system and 
processor type) These rules simply cannot be broken on i5s because you 
order one feature code and get either two or four DIMMs depending on the 
feature.
   1b) Memory is required on every processor card in the system. So for 
an i570 with 8 processors installed (Not activated but installed) you 
must have at least four memory features - one for each processor card 
(Two processors per card). For a 520 that means one memory feature 
minimum. If you break this rule the system is not orderable and will not 
be built.

2) You order feature codes through your BP. Rochester will NOT 
substitute memory features to save themselves money.  If the features 
you need are not available your machine won't be built. (This is rare 
but it happens) If you said "Gimme 8GB Please" and the BP didn't ask you 
how you wanted that 8GB configured then they screwed up. A competent BP 
would ask questions like: "Do you expect growth". "Are you terribly 
scrunched for money" and such. Based on the answers they would suggest 
lower cost but full slots or higher cost with open slots. On larger 
machines they may suggest CUOD memory. Either way you still get to make 
the call.

3) IBM Determines memory placement based on the features you ordered. We 
had a great discussion with several BP folks and some 'really smart 
people' in Rochester where we drew all over some, um, 'napkins' :-)  
After we got done telling them we wanted control over memory placement, 
and why, they explained not THAT we were wrong but HOW wrong we were!  
Turns out they do a huge amount of work under the covers to maximize 
machine throughput which our memory placement would *really mess up. It 
all has to do with NUMA and which processors are activated when and 
doing what. To quote my favorite Vulcan: 'Fascinating.'

So the short of it is the BP screwed up because Rochester built what was 
ordered. Rochester ALWAYS Builds what was ordered. We at 
Frankenseries.com, however, build whatever the heck we please. And 
sometimes we pay for that.

- Larry

Brian wrote:
> Rob,
>
> The machine was checked when it arrived and that is when the conversations
> with the BP, AvNet and Rochester occured. I don't specify part numbers;
> that's the BP's job. I tell the BP what I want and it's their job to run it
> through the IBM configurator and if necessary, hand tune the
> configuration to get the results I specified. We have our specifications in
> writing and could have pressed the issue but my boss said to just let it go
> since it would cost more in wasted time to fight it than it would cost to
> just replace the memory. However, IBM and the BP definately lost some
> goodwill here.
>
> Kind regards,
>
> BJ
>
>
> On 3/5/07, rob@xxxxxxxxx <rob@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>   
> > Double checked with my boss.  You have to be quite clear on the exact part
> > numbers you are ordering.  You will pay significantly more for the higher
> > density chips, but if you are planning for growth and are planning on
> > using the extra slots then it might behoove you to do so.  That is why IBM
> > does it this way, to keep your initial cost way down.  But if your
> > paperwork specifically said you are ordering a higher density chip and IBM
> > gives you the same amount of memory, but it lower density chips then you
> > have one of two legs to stand on.
> > If IBM only charged you for the lower price chips then they should offer
> > you an upgrade path.  However, it would look better if you checked the
> > order with what you received at installation time, not when you go to
> > upgrade.
> > If IBM charged you for the higher density chip then they plain ripped you
> > off.
> >
> > Rob Berendt
> > --
> > Group Dekko Services, LLC
> > Dept 01.073
> > PO Box 2000
> > Dock 108
> > 6928N 400E
> > Kendallville, IN 46755
> > http://www.dekko.com
> >
> >