Aurora R6 Memory Question: Why a single DIMM?

Eimy,

Can you confirm that I can run 64gb xmp ram at 2667Mhz in aurora R6? What XMP profile should I run in Bios?

I also bought myself an R6 with 16GB of ram but it's the regular 2400mhz speed.  Does anyone know if it's 2 DIMMS, 4 DIMMS or 1 DIMM like the OP?  I'd like to run 32GB for video editing.

I'm also wondering if the 460W PSU is enough for another RX480.  

Hi chaos400ra3,

Yes, just make sure your BIOS is up to date, the OC needs to be on OC LV 1 and then change the XMP to XMP1/XPM2. 

Supercooled08,

Depends on what was in stock. Click my DELL-username and send me a Private Message with the Dell computer Service Tag number. I can then check the invoice.

So then did those of us who got a single 16GB DIMM get that because that's just what was in stock or because it was decided that it was better because it allowed for the potential of 64GB? Or is the answer different for those of us who went for DDR4-2666 vs DDR4-2400?

Eimy,

My bios is 1.0.3 (up to date) and on OC LV 1. Why do I only see the ram at 2667MHz when I select XMP2? If I select XMP1 memory runs at 2400MHz.

I think that the primary reason is based on available stock from the ram manufacturer. Everything else would be secondary.

And is there any way to get this addressed? While the gap may not be huge, it's nonetheless the case that these systems were meant to have RAM installed in pairs to support dual channel configuration. The manuals for the system even explicitly say so. So if the stock wasn't available, why sell them forced into single channel without even making buyers aware of it?

And regarding secondary reasons, by the way, I've heard multiple explanations. And it's a little disconcerting when you start to get the sense that the people you ask are less concerned with helping than with just getting you to go away.

The decision was made by the Alienware team, Dell marketing, and the Dell Legal team.

The main Aurora-R6 page states =

But that is specifically saying if you order four 16GB sticks, it would be in Dual Channel. It is not saying that other memory configurations would be in Dual Channel.

If you then check the "Customize & Buy" builds on the sales page for memory, notice it never states whether you will receive one 16GB stick or two 8GB sticks, nor does it state Dual Channel or Single Channel =

So from a legal and marketing stance, you ordered 16GB, you got 16GB.

The online Aurora R6 Setup and Specifications PDF never states Dual Channel or Single Channel =

The online Service Manual PDF never mentions Dual Channel or Single Channel. It only shows the available memory configurations when it was composed. It cannot speak to a future memory supply issue that happens after it was composed.

In the end, this is something you will have to take up with Technical Support. Perhaps you can convince them to acquiesce to a "Parts Only Service" memory exchange. An example is =

Return = One 16GB stick
Order = Two 8GB sticks

But it would have to be done on a case by case basis as you contact Technical Support and they get approval from their manager.

I am not suggesting Dell has no legal right to do this. I'm just voicing disappointment that they would choose to do so and that there is a lack of consistency in the information available/provided about it.

But just so you know what I was referring to: In the service manual at http://downloads.dell.com/manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_alienware_dsk/alienware-aurora-r6-desktop_service%20manual_en-us.pdf, you'll find the following in the section on replacing memory:

And when I initially asked about the memory configuration in a chat session with a customer service rep, this person answered:

*I see no need to put the name this person uses in a public chat, which is why I edited it out.

All that said, I am nonetheless generally happy with my system. And I would also like stop, for a moment, and thank you (and the others who have replied) for taking the time to respond to the thread and for sharing the information you have available. 

Does that diagram really match the configuration matrix? Based on the alternating colors of the securing clips (which has been typical forever), wouldn't you want to install your first two matched DIMM in the 1 and 3 (black) slots or 2 and 4 (white) slots to get dual channel performance?

Sorry, I don't mean to go off topic vyper, I just checked out this thread because I had the same issue with a single 16gb DIMM in an R5, and ended up just buying a 32gig kit (16gb x2 at 2133 for the 6700) rather than try to get a matching Hynix stick from Dell. I didn't check the manual, but just installed them in 1 and 3. CPU-Z says its properly set up for dual channel and I haven't had a problem for weeks. IDK if the R6 banks are different and this diagram isn't representative, but just something to double check if you end up going the same route. Maybe Tesla knows.

Check this out. Based on these photos, it looks like a lot of the R5 review units that Alienware sent out had memory installed in the 2 and 4 (white) slots. Again, I'm not sure about the R6, but I still think that configuration matrix in the manual looks wrong.

www.tomsguide.com/.../alienware-aurora-r5,review-3749.html

www.windowscentral.com/how-upgrade-alienware-aurora-r5-and-r6

hothardware.com/.../alienware-aurora-r5-review

Yeah, I saw the alternating colors when I popped the case shortly after it arrived. I'm guessing you're right about the DIMMs going into the matching slots. Thank you for that info.

matt11795 1. wouldn't you want to install your first two matched DIMM in the ... 2 and 4 (white) slots to get dual channel performance?   2. Sorry, I don't mean to go off topic vyper,   3. Maybe Tesla knows.