Does the Intel i7-5820K support 128GB ram?

On the Internet there are some confirmations that a  i7-5820K should work with 128GB of DDR4 RAM. But needs a beta bios.
I wanted to put this to the test with my MSI X99A system board.

Intel states, that the CPU i7-5820K only supports 64GB ram.

Memory Specifications
Max Memory Size (dependent on memory type) 64 GB
Memory Types DDR4 1333/1600/2133
Max # of Memory Channels 4
Max Memory Bandwidth 68 GB/s
ECC Memory Supported No

But combined with a MSI X99A Raider system board i was getting confused. MSI states that the board can be filled up to 128GB with a i7 CPU. So who’s right?

MSI X99A Raider
Socket 2011-3
CPU i7 / Xeon
DDR4 Memory 2133/2200*/ 2400*
DIMM Slots 8
Max Memory (GB) 128GB

To put this myth out of this world i ringed up Alternate and they supplied me with some extra ram to test. The same ram that i used before to build my homelab.
To be specific, Corsair 32 GB DDR4-2666 Kit. CMK32GX4M2A2666C16

LPX-DDR4-BLK

So the moment of truth. Who is right?  is Intel ARK correct or MSI?
Popped open the case and plugged in the DIMMS and flipped the power button.  Guess what?!

IMG_0315

I can say that the i7-5820K WORKS with 128GB RAM in a MSI X99A Raider!

IMG_0316

I think this also should work with a i7-5930K or i7-5960X CPU.

Update: 18-04-2016
Stressed my system for a few weeks now with 100GB ram usage and still rock solid.
So the CPU is capable of handling more 64GB+ of ram otherwise then ARC says.

17 thoughts on “Does the Intel i7-5820K support 128GB ram?

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  2. Mel

    Intel says it can not actually use over 64GB of that 128GB?
    Can you plz test workload close to 128GB, will it crash or not?
    I’m building the machine and need to know if i must go with Xeon CPU or not.
    Xeons i can offer, are way older and slower.

    sincerely
    Mel

    Reply
    1. LaurensvanDuijn Post author

      I runned tests with max ram usage and it’s Stable as a rock. No psod’s or other issues at all.

      Reply
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  4. Jacques

    Hi,

    i have a very important question and need your urgent attention.
    The RAM module youre using, is it 32GBx4 or 16GBx8?

    If the memory module is 16GBx8, will it be working fine?

    Reply
    1. LaurensvanDuijn Post author

      8x16gb modules. 4 Kits of 32gb (2×16) so yes it works:-) 32gb modules do not work.

      Reply
      1. Jacques

        1 more question. you mentioned about the stress testing on ESXi, is it fully utilizing more than 80% of the 128GB pool of RAM for more than 1 month and performing well?

        Reply
  5. Carsten

    Hi there! Thanks for your test. I was wondering if there’s any reason why this should not also work with the 32GB Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4-2133 RAM? And in relation to that: Is there a huge speed difference between 2133 and 2666? I really need the amount of RAM, speed is not too important.
    Lastly: Can you link the least BIOS update needed?

    Thanks and Cheers =)

    Reply
    1. LaurensvanDuijn Post author

      Should work fine if the system board supports it. Don’t think you will be able to notice the difference between those speeds.
      For the x99 raider no special bios is needed, works out of the box. With other system boards you might need a newer bios.

      Reply
    2. Jacques Yeoh

      I have an interesting question. Does ur board display temperature information at esxi? My x99e ws doesn’t show any temperature sensors or info

      Reply
      1. LaurensvanDuijn Post author

        Does not work, i get most info in the vSphere Web Client but not the temps. CIM data cannot be read from these bioses.

        Reply
  6. Ciri

    Hi, the integrade interface network I218 of this motheboard, Does it work with esxi6?
    I think that only versión I218v works with esxi6
    Thanks and regards!

    Reply
  7. steve

    I have an asus strix x99 that will not utilize all ram installed. The mb has 8 ram slots populated with g.skill f4-2400c-15q-32grr. Bios only see 8g. Any help will be appreciated.
    Thanks
    Steve

    Reply

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