Aurora R3, RAM upgrade issue

Question

Hey there. I have an old Aurora R3 that's still cranking along. I've replaced the original 560ti with a 1060, but everything else had been original up until now. My PC had come with 8GB of RAM originally (4x 2GB DDR3 1333MHZ 10600). It's been giving me some issues with some of the newer games recently, so I decided to upgrade. I checked online and saw the max this motherboard can accept was 16GB, so I bought a single stick of DDR3 1333MHz 10600 RAM. Essentially the same as what was already inside, only 16GB on a single stick. When I put it in, I got the double beep indicating a RAM issue and it failed to go into POST. I checked the BIOS and it was set for 1333MHz. All the other settings were AUTO. Not sure if I need to change anything, or what to even change. This is my first time running into an issue like this. It's my first pre-built machine. I've built all my previous ones, and upgrading RAM had never been an issue. Anyone have any experience with this, and what they did to fix it? Thanks!

Tesla1856 · Accepted Answer

@JRG599wrote:

Or are you saying I should return the 16GB stick and get 2x 8GB sticks?

Manual says only 1gb, 2gb, and 4gb DIMMs are supported. 8gb and 16gb DIMMs are NOT Supported.

Do you have the final BIOS?

There is a "MB bricking" risk (especially if motherboard is unstable). If you need to catch-it-up, I suggest doing them all ( in order) from FreeDOS, like this:

https://www.dell.com/community/Vostro/Vostro-460-XPS-8300-Upgrade-Adventures/td-p/6054983/page/2

Tesla1856 · Answer

The Aurora-R3 has always been finicky about RAM. Best to run an exactly matched pair of DIMMs in Primary Memory Bank. Not only is that what machine likes (pairs) ... it will run in Dual-Channel.

Tesla1856 · Answer

Are you sure you have an Aurora-R3 there?

JRG599 · Answer

Or are you saying I should return the 16GB stick and get 2x 8GB sticks?

JRG599 · Answer

Absolutely it's an R3.  My processor is an i7-2600 however. So you're suggesting I put 2x 2GB sticks in DIMM1 and DIMM2 and the 16GB stick in DIMM3?

JRG599 · Answer

So I just tried a whole bunch of different DIMM configurations with the sticks. Nothing works. Modified the voltages, etc.. Nothing.

This is honestly the first time I've ever seen an issue like this after working on PC's for the better part of the past 23 years.

Any other ideas, or am I SOL with this 16GB stick?

I'm worried about returning it for 2x 8GB sticks and have this MoBo not recognize those either... Anything is possible at this point I guess...

Tesla1856 · Answer

@JRG599wrote:

Absolutely it's an R3. My processor is an i7-2600 however.

Ok, good.

Yes, you are right. Cougar-Point chipset with i7-2xxx uses DDR3-1333mhz (and should be the most compatible speed, especially if filling the MB to max capacity).

Manual says 4gb x 4 should work, however ... that is max.

JRG599 · Answer

I don't really want to risk bricking the machine.  So that settles it then.  I gotta return this 16GB stick for 4x 4GB sticks. Thanks for the help!

Tesla1856 · Answer

To be clear ... the firmware update doesn't have anything to do with the allowable DIMM sizes. The 4gb DIMM-size limit is by-design. Thanks for reminding me, I added a disclaimer to that post.

JRG599 · Answer

Well, I just Amazon Primed 4x 4GB 1333MHz 10600 sticks.  Should arrive some time tomorrow.  Crossing my fingers.

JRG599 · Answer

RAM arrived.  We're in business. Thanks again for the help!

Tesla1856 · Answer

@JRG599wrote:

RAM arrived. We're in business. Thanks again for the help!

You are welcome. Glad to hear those worked.

Would you mind describing (just in short text here) the working 4gb DIMMs you purchased for your Aurora-R3 ... for the next person who searches this forum?

JRG599 · Answer

I purchased two of these https://www.amazon.ca/Komputerbay-1333Mhz-10600-10666-9-9-9-25/dp/B003OSTDPI/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1525033912&sr=8-6&keywords=4gb+ddr3+1333mhz+10600

Tesla1856 · Answer

@JRG599wrote:

I purchased two of these

https://www.amazon.ca/Komputerbay-1333Mhz-10600-10666-9-9-9-25/dp/B003OSTDPI/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1525033912&sr=8-6&keywords=4gb+ddr3+1333mhz+10600

Thanks. To those searching later, here are the specs:

Komputerbay 8GB (2 X 4GB) DDR3 DIMM (240 pin) 1333Mhz PC3 10600 / PC3 10666 9-9-9-25 1.5v 8 GB KIT

100% COMPATIBLE MEMORY CAPACITY: 8GB
Well Tested. Non-ECC Non parity
Voltage 1.5V. SUPPORTS DUAL CHANNEL
Lifetime Warranty
FOR GAMING / PERFORMANCE MEMORY 9-9-9-25

While at first glance, it may be in your best interest to shop around. Know that when you purchase RAM from Komputerbay, you're getting Grade-A brand name computer memory. Cheap computer memory, while possibly being compatible, can cause system crashes, error codes in your computer, and even damage to your motherboard! Other sellers may offer you similar looking products for a few cents or a dollar less, but here's the scoop on why: they sell cheap-grade memory and they don't test the modules before shipping! This ends up costing you time and money. Trust when you buy from Komputerbay, you are getting top of the line product from a top of the line company.
We test every module before it leaves the building, and back all of our purchases up with a LIFETIME WARRANTY!

PC3 10600 / PC3 10666 (1333Mhz)
DDR3
240 pin
Desktop memory Upgrade
Non ECC
Non parity
Unbuffered
1.5V
Lifetime Warranty

cjeans89 · Answer

Thank you for posting this issue with the solution! I have the exact same situation with my R3 and I was about to buy 2 sticks of 8gb RAM. Thanks to your post, I'll be going with the 4 sticks of 4 GB.

Alienware Desktops

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