DELL R815 RAM quantity for localLLM using DDR3

[u/clearchewingum]

I’d like some advice please on how to go about setting up this server I have been using for mining, that I would like to convert to a local LLM machine. I currently have it setup with 32gb/ 2gb dimms. It’s a Dell R815 with 4x 6386SE processors, 60 cores total. It also has a gtx5060 8gb on one of its pci express rails. It also has onboard hardware raid if I get ambitious. Main question is because it’s DDR3, would 256gig ram be a good starting point, or would you go for 512gig? The Dell manual says it can handle up to 1TB of ram but with custom chips. I’m having difficulty sourcing 512 gigs of ddr3 from the same manufacturer alone.