Enterprise servers require ECC (Error-Correcting Code) memory. Non-ECC memory from desktops will not work — and could cause data corruption. Here is why.
ECC vs Non-ECC
| Feature | ECC | Non-ECC |
|---|---|---|
| Error Detection | Yes (single-bit correct, multi-bit detect) | No |
| Data Integrity | Guaranteed | Not guaranteed |
| Server Compatible | Yes | No (most servers reject it) |
| Price | 10-20% more | Baseline |
Types of Server ECC Memory
- RDIMM (Registered) — Standard for dual-socket servers. Buffer chip reduces electrical load.
- LRDIMM (Load-Reduced) — For maximum capacity. Enables 128GB+ per DIMM.
- UDIMM (Unbuffered ECC) — Single-socket entry servers only.