Aurora R10, memory upgrade

You can see in the lower cpu-z screenshot in my post above the DRAM frequency at 1596, which equates to ~3200.  Also, in bios (which I dont know how to screenshot) the memory speed is 3200.  In the upper screenshot, you can see the XMP profile of 3200.  Based upon the RAM i had (2933 with 20 CL) which equates to an overall latency of 13.6, the new RAM is running with a latency of 10.0, or 27% faster.  My XTU Benchmark went from 3023 to 3396.

Awesome! I guess the screenshots didn’t load the first time I looked at the post. 

Your comment that the R10 only runs memory at 1.20v is surprising, but it might explain some strange results I'm getting with my 32GB 2 sticks TridentZ neo that are supposed to run at 3200-16-18-18-38 1.35v

but are being reported by CPU-Z as 3200-22-22-22-53. 

Every time I've tried to set the XMP settings manually in the BIOS, they just seem to get ignored and I get the same result.  It's frustrating because Dell support said they don't help with any 3rd party hardware.

Is there any way to know definitively that the RAM is running at 1.20v?  Alienware Command Center shows the speed as 3200 and the same timings, but doesn't show the voltage.

According to CPU-Z's SPD tab, the XMP-3200 setting should be 1600

I've tried manually configuring the XMP in BIOS as MemFreq=1600MHz, voltage=1.35v, Tcl=10h (16), Trcdrd=12h (18), Trcdrd=12h (18), Trcdwr=12h (18), Trp=12h (18), Tras=26h (38) and it gives the same values as OC2 when I look in CPU-Z.   I'm stumped.

The only thing I can think of is that maybe it's running at 3200 speed but only 1.2v, but even then the math doesn't match up.  The system still "feels" fast but I really don't want to run at CL 22 if the RAM supports CL 16 (a 38% additional delay!).  Thoughts?

I’ve had no luck with the commercial 3200 Hyper X Fury RAM at any setting other than the default profile (2400). I’ve tried almost every setting possible in BIOS. I can run at 3200 but when I shut down and turn the computer on I get a 2-1 error. After three reboots I can go into BIOS and reset it to 3200 but I’m doomed to the same fate once I shut down. I’m going back to the stock RAM. This isn’t worth it for the extra frames. Shame on Dell for stating in the R10 manual that this RAM is compatible, and shame on them going so cheap with the board that it can’t run third party RAM at speeds that are pretty mild by gaming standards. I’m probably done with buying Alienware.

I’ve just got the r10 machine and I’m trying to upgrade the RAM to 64Gb 3200MHz and I’m not able to get anywhere near 3200 once I boot into the system. It’s currently reading 1064.5 MHz for both DRAM and NB frequency.

I cannot see any mention of XMP in the bios. What are the correct bios settings to get the correct speeds.

I will try and get a screenshot of CPU-Z shortly

Hi Chris,

Thanks for being involved in the forums!  While I appreciate that Dell has tested with Dell OEM memory, it would really be nice as a new Alienware customer to know at least a dozen or so 3rd party memory upgrades have been verified by Dell to work with the motherboard.  If Dell’s BIOS really did use the values in the custom XMP settings, this wouldn’t be a problem, but the BIOS usually ignores these settings for no apparent reason (maybe to protect people from themselves).

PCs are upgradable.  That’s the main reason Dell made that incredible swing out design in the R10 so we could easily get to the motherboard.  Dell seems to still be stuck in the “old Dell” days where the system internals were clamped down in plastic enclosures.

I literally had 2 people warm me not to buy an Alienware because of this kind of thing.  I ignored their device because I fell in love with the form of this computer, but my difficulty in getting a straight answer as to what 3rd party RAM to buy is making me wonder if this will be my last Alienware purchase.  If there was just a list of non-OEM RAM compatibility part numbers I wouldn’t feel like this. 

Good to know, I was considering HyperX or Vengeance PRO. But I guess is better to go with Fury right? Cant believe no one is able to get 3200mhz... I wonder if Dell had theirs specially made for them. Many manufactures do this.

I see its the CMW32GX4M2Z3200C16 RGB PRO which has higher SPD speed than my G.Skill or the Kingston memory. I wonder if that's the reason.

Got my corsair sticks in and it works as well! In the BIOS, had to select OC1 option for memory overclock and worked. The AUTO and OC2 didn't work or do anything.

I'm guessing it's because the SPD speeds are higher than other sticks on these RGB Pro modules, it works with the default XMP profiles in the R10 BIOS. Pricey but it is what it is - just happy I can finally see 3200Mhz. Now time to see if I can boost my FCLK...

@R10bro Which Corsair ram did you buy? SPD speeds are higher? Higher than 3200MHz?

@R10bro So CMW32GX4M2Z3200C16 RGB PRO is what you bought and is working at 3200? Im about to pull the trigger on Amazon, I just want to be sure. Thanks!!

PS, RGB fits? someone said there wasnt a lot of room in R10.

man they keep deleting my post for some reason...

Anyway yes this is the title on Amzn - Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4 3200 (PC4-25600) C16 AMD Optimized Memory – Black

No clearance issues- there is a good inch or more of space above these larger modules and the power supply. 

Also- by SPD speed I mean the nonXMP speeds. These RGB Pro's have 2666MHz on them while the Kingston and GSKILL which I had are just 2133MHz.

I'm thinking that's why those didn't work and these RGB Pro's do.

Thank you!! Just placed the order.