alt Hacker NewsIsn't this new server CPU a drop in replacement though? So the DC could pull off the old CPU, drop in the new one and not touch the existing RAM setup, yet be able to deliver better performance within the limits of the existing RAM. Then once RAM prices drop (okay that might be a while) separately upgrade the RAM at a different time.
That's semi-dependent on supplier arrangements; i.e. lots of shops won't want to upgrade CPUs on a server out of fear that they can't get support later; sometimes that's justified by contract, sometimes it's not.