Dell XPS 8500 won't use PC3-12800 RAM
I have a Dell XPS 8500 with an i7-3770 whose motherboard was bricked by a Dell BIOS update. I've since purchased another board, but am having problems with RAM.
The original board had PC3-12800 RAM modules. From what I read, these modules (as well as the PC3-10600) should work. When I put them in the replacement board, I get 4 beeps, indicating a RAM problem. I've tried some Crucial brand RAM which was listed as compatible with this model and get the same results. I've tried a single module in each of the slots, one at a time.
The board does work if I use a PC3-10600 module.
I've upgraded to the latest BIOS and reset it to defaults. I don't see any settings in the BIOS that have anything to do with timing.
I can go ahead and purchase the slower RAM, but I'd prefer not to.
Is this board defective or am I missing something?
The original board had PC3-12800 RAM modules. From what I read, these modules (as well as the PC3-10600) should work. When I put them in the replacement board, I get 4 beeps, indicating a RAM problem. I've tried some Crucial brand RAM which was listed as compatible with this model and get the same results. I've tried a single module in each of the slots, one at a time.
The board does work if I use a PC3-10600 module.
I've upgraded to the latest BIOS and reset it to defaults. I don't see any settings in the BIOS that have anything to do with timing.
I can go ahead and purchase the slower RAM, but I'd prefer not to.
Is this board defective or am I missing something?
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@Dr. Klahn
It's tough to look up the specs. I haven't found any documentation from Dell about the motherboard requirements beyond the PC3-12800 spec.
The four modules that worked in the original board are all the same make and model (Nanya NT4GC64B8HG0NF-DI). The specs I found indicate that they are CL11, but I'm not finding the other specs. The new modules that I purchased that also don't work in the newer board (never tested in the older board) are also CL11.
What I think is most relevant is that all four of these modules worked in one XPS 8500 board and none works in a different one (same power supply, same CPU).
This implies to me that there is a difference between the two boards that is the issue.
It's tough to look up the specs. I haven't found any documentation from Dell about the motherboard requirements beyond the PC3-12800 spec.
The four modules that worked in the original board are all the same make and model (Nanya NT4GC64B8HG0NF-DI). The specs I found indicate that they are CL11, but I'm not finding the other specs. The new modules that I purchased that also don't work in the newer board (never tested in the older board) are also CL11.
What I think is most relevant is that all four of these modules worked in one XPS 8500 board and none works in a different one (same power supply, same CPU).
This implies to me that there is a difference between the two boards that is the issue.
Is it certain that the two motherboards are the same exact model as indicated by the screen printing on the motherboard? I've seen two Dell computers, externally identical, which used different motherboards inside.
ASKER
Yes, identical part numbers.
did you test the ram in all the slots?
another option is flash the bios to an older version
another option is flash the bios to an older version
ASKER
Yes. I've tried each of the 6 faster modules in each of the 4 slots, one at a time.
I'm VERY reluctant to flash an older BIOS as an attempt to update the BIOS is what bricked the original motherboard. This board has no recovery method once that happens.
I'm VERY reluctant to flash an older BIOS as an attempt to update the BIOS is what bricked the original motherboard. This board has no recovery method once that happens.
and you cannot contact Dell ? maybe they can help you out on this
ASKER
My repeated experience with Dell support is that they won't provide any information for out of warranty items. If they will, their information is often incorrect.
well - if you don't try it - you'll never know if you missed that 1 friendly person that had your answer
i mean - you don't loose much by trying
i mean - you don't loose much by trying
ASKER
It appears that I was likely mistaken in my suggestion that it was a speed issue. I think it's a capacity issue.
The only module I've gotten to work is a 2G -10600. When the 4G and 6G -12800 modules didn't work, I concluded it was a speed issue. I've since gotten two 8G -10600 modules and the both show the same failure.
My conclusion is that this board has a problem with 4G and larger modules. I'm replacing the board.
Thanks to all for your suggestions!
The only module I've gotten to work is a 2G -10600. When the 4G and 6G -12800 modules didn't work, I concluded it was a speed issue. I've since gotten two 8G -10600 modules and the both show the same failure.
My conclusion is that this board has a problem with 4G and larger modules. I'm replacing the board.
Thanks to all for your suggestions!
ASKER
Thanks for your input.
Have a good close look at the timings on all your PC3-12800 modules and see if they are identical.