Ibm System X3950 X5 Product Features; Ibm Max5 Memory Expansion Unit - IBM System x3850 X5 Implementation Manual

3.1.2 IBM System x3950 X5 product features

For certain enterprise workloads, IBM offers preconfigured models under the product name
x3950 X5
machine type or the options used to configure them, but because they are configured with
components that make them optimized for specific workloads, they are differentiated by this
naming convention.
No model of x3850 X5 or x3950 X5 requires a scalability key for 8-socket operation (as was
the case with the x3950 M2). Also, because the x3850 X5 and x3950 X5 use the same
machine type, they can be scaled together into an 8-socket solution, assuming that each
model uses four identical CPUs and that memory is set as a valid Hemisphere configuration.
For more information about Hemisphere Mode, see 2.3.5, "Hemisphere Mode" on page 26.
The IBM x3950 X5 is optimized for database workloads and virtualization workloads.
Virtualization-optimized models of the x3950 X5 include a MAX5 as standard.
Database-optimized models include eXFlash as standard. See 3.3, "Models" on page 64 for
more information.

3.1.3 IBM MAX5 memory expansion unit

The IBM MAX5 for System x (MAX5) memory expansion unit has 32 DDR3 dual inline
memory module (DIMM) sockets, one or two 675-watt power supplies, and five 40 mm
hot-swap speed-controlled fans. It provides added memory and multinode scaling support for
the x3850 X5 server.
The MAX5 expansion module is based on eX5, the next generation of Enterprise
X-Architecture. The MAX5 expansion module is designed for performance, expandability, and
scalability. Its fans and power supplies use hot-swap technology for easy replacement without
requiring the expansion module to be turned off.
Figure 3-4 shows the x3850 X5 with the attached MAX5.
Figure 3-4 x3850 X5 with the attached MAX5 memory expansion unit
. These models do not differ from standard x3850 X5 models in terms of the
Chapter 3. IBM System x3850 X5 and x3950 X5
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