Aurora R12, 64GB 4x16 not working

Question

Just received my R12, pulled out the Dell provided 8GB stick and tried to put in 4x16 sticks of Corsair Ballistix, made of 2 sets of BL2K16G32C16U4W which are listed guaranteed compatible from Crucial's R12 page.

With all 4x16 sticks in, power comes on but it won't boot, not even into BIOS. However it will boot with no problem with any combination of 2x16 sticks. So I'm currently stuck at 32GB, any ideas? I've checked for any firmware updated but it says I'm all caught up.

tempestornado23 · Accepted Answer

I have the following memory and it's identical to yours as far as I can tell other than mine is black and yours is white. I bought 2 kits of the 2x16gb as I wanted to go up to 64gb as well using 4 sticks in total. I plugged them into my R11 and booted up with zero problems, but I do recall first checking in the Dell Bios (before removing the old sticks, I started up and hit the Function key to launch the Bios program) that under the Performance section of the Bios that the XMP profiles were enabled. I also did one other thing before turning off the PC when it was using the old Dell ram....I disabled the "fast start" option in Windows 10 as I read somewhere that might help when installing new RAM after a shut down, but I don't fully understand why that would matter. Also, when I installed the new sticks I do recall having to seat them firmly until the tab clicked them into place. I too used CPU-Z utility to check them out after launch and they defaulted to 3200mhz under the Bios XMP profile selected....so didn't have to use AWCC program to modify that. As far as I know the R12 is very similar to the R11 and you aren't trying to use 3400 mhz or higher sticks. Good luck. Search on Reddit too as R12s are out long enough now that others might have also tried to get to 64gb using aftermarket RAM. The Cruicial Ballistic is very popular with R10/R11 and I think I have seen R12 users in Reddit post there and here about using those sticks in 3200 speed.

Crucial Ballistix 3200 MHz DDR4 DRAM Desktop Gaming Memory Kit 32GB (16GBx2) CL16 BL2K16G32C16U4B (Black)

Vanadiel · Answer

Any flashing Alienware head lights during the boot process when it does not boot?

Can you boot with just 2 sticks, enter the bios and ensure the correct XMP profile is loaded? Can you also check under windows with 2 sticks to ensure the correct XMP profile is active? You can use CPU-Z, small free utility for that.

Can you ensure you are not using any overclocking profiles under Alienware Control Center? This might affect memory timings.

This kit does have tight memory timings of CL16. This might cause issues when using them in quad channel mode. These boards are picky when it comes to memory compatibility.

Since this is a dual channel kit and not a quad channel kit, it is possible you are running into a compatibility issue with the kits. Crucial ensures 100% compatibility with 2 sticks for the Aurora R12, not 4. (As you experienced so far)

You also have to take Crucial's compatibility checker with a grain of salt.

They list this as compatible memory for the R12, yet the R12 only supports up to DDR 3400 Mhz maximum.

There's even a 1.5 Volt memory kit in that listing, and as far as I am aware 1.5 volt is not supported under the R12.

compatibility checker results

Another thing you can try is set the memory timings to manual mode and change the CL16 to CL18 value. However, this might prove problematic since you cannot enter the bios with 4 sticks, and the settings might be reset if you enter these values with 2 sticks and reboot with 4 sticks. It is worth a try.

brka23 · Answer

Managed to resolve this issue by pulling the clock battery and discharging flea power. Posted to BIOS, turned on XMP. Ram is running at 3200, everything seems happy for the moment.

Vanadiel · Answer

Glad you got this resolved, enjoy the extra memory!

Jwwetzel · Answer

Can you run userbenchmark with your R12 to see if the memory is really running at 3200?

When I run XMP2, my memory performs far below spec!

Note you have to stop the "Nahimic" service in order to run the userbenchmark app.

stormina33 · Answer

The R12 needs a bios update.. check this page out https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.reddit.com/r/Alienware/comments/n4rqgl/warning_to_those_who_want_to_buy_aurora_r12_major/

your system will perform below expectations until this is fixed. I’d report it. The more reports the sooner they’ll update it

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Aurora R12, 64GB 4x16 not working

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