An Aurora R1 (with i7-9xx processor and x58 chipset) supports Tri-Channel memory if done right. It will hold 2 banks of 3 DIMMs = 6 DIMMs total. Yes, they ALL should match VERY closely. On top of that, each bank (set of 3) must be COMPLETELY IDENTICAL. Memory should be purchased and installed in sets of 3. Using CPU-ID CPUz and physically inspect.
See PDF Owners and Service Manual on specific allowable RAM DIMM configs and how the Banks work. When Tri-Channel can't work (because Banks are incomplete) it runs in Single-Channel mode which is pretty slow and possibly un-stable. Whether it's old or new set, install 3 matching DIMMs in Bank-1 (slots 1, 3, 5).
Doc BIOS SATA mode (normal or RAID mode). Reset your BIOS to Defaults and remove all Over-Clocks.
They should report correct in BIOS, Dell Hardware Diags (outside of Windows), MemTest86.com boot (long test), and CPUz. If it passes all that ... also in Control Panel/System and other parts of Windows.
For this machine I usually recommend Crucial 1333mhz matched sets.
Those DIMMs might work. If you can get into BIOS, try forcing to 1333 and turn off XMP. Those DIMMs should down-clock a bit and might even run stable. IIRC, as you get into the higher amounts of memory, there are speed limits. I like stable/reliable over razor-edge speed.
If you prefer speed ... somebody (not me) might be able to help you with OC tweaks.
OK, so I went into the BIOS and the memory is reporting as running at 1867. The chips themselves have a label on them that says 1866Mhz XMP3.
The current 3x2GB RAM is installed in Slots 1, 3, 5. I tried both sets of new (3x4GB) RAM in the same slots.
The manual seems a bit contradictory, unless I'm missing something. Here is what it says regarding memory replacement:
1066 MHz and I333 MHz DDR3 Slots 1, 3, and 5 or slots 1 — 6
-- OR--
1600 MHz XMP Slots 1, 3, and 5
What I don't understand is why my machine shipped with 1866 RAM if the manual says it only supports 1600. The first RAM I tried from Newegg was 1866. The second set from Crucial is 1600, but neither worked.
I'm definitely more interested in stability rather than speed as long as the loss isn't significant and noticeable. I'm OK buying the 1333 Mhz chips if they will work, I guess I'm just wondering is going from 1866 to 1333 (and disabling XMP) going to have a significant performance reduction?
1. What I don't understand is why my machine shipped with 1866 RAM if the manual says it only supports 1600.
2. I'm definitely more interested in stability rather than speed as long as the loss isn't significant and noticeable.
3. I'm OK buying the 1333 Mhz chips if they will work,
4. I guess I'm just wondering is going from 1866 to 1333 (and disabling XMP) going to have a significant performance reduction?
1. BIOS was likely set to 1600 (under-clock). Or, even OC to 1866. Hard to say ... but like I said ... slower is better as total amount increases (aren't you trying 100% more or 12gb now)?
2. Good. No, there isn't.
3. I think yours will work if you do as I suggested and under-clock a bit
4. Look at it this way ... I've been running 6 x 2gb (1333mhz) Dimms = 12gb for like 4 years now. Not once has anything seemed "slow".
I'll be happy to try this again with this 3x4GB Ballistix 1600 RAM I got today.
The question now is how do I "force" it to run at 1333 as you suggested? I went into the BIOS and most of the parameters that looked related to DRAM were set to Auto.
(Just guessing, do I need to set the Memory Ratio to 10? Not sure though, I've never had to set specific settings for a RAM upgrade before. Is that all I have to do?)
Can you point me in the direction of a document that can tell me how to do this?
OK, so I tried several things mentioned in that thread and none of them worked. At this point I think I'll just have to give up and return the second set of RAM too. Disappointing. It shouldn't be this difficult to do a simple RAM upgrade.
Thanks for your help.
Sorry it took so long to reply, the forum wouldn't let me login yesterday.
Your 1866 ram will work at full speed. You need to set the BIOS up correctly however. Chris at Dell published something several years back on how to set up the BIOS. I tried searching for it last night but could not find it. I have a copy of the settings at home but wont be back for a couple of days. Tesla may remember or might have better luck finding Chris's post. Your 1866 ram will work at full speed as has mine for four years now.
Aurora-R1 * Six memory slots (2/1,4/3,6/5) * Matched memory modules are installed in DIMM connectors 1/3/5 or 1-6 * To run in Tri-Channel mode (3 lanes), memory must be installed in multiples of 3 * Maximum memory 24GB (1067MHz and 1333MHz) or 12GB (1600MHz XMP) * For PC3-12800 and PC3-15000 XMP memory, go into the Bios and turn on XMP. Go into the Overvoltage Config and set QPI and Uncore voltage to +200mv. Leave everything else on Auto * Dell Part numbers - R1HVP 2GB, 1866MHz PC3-15000, 256X64, XMP 0TDWJ 4GB, 1600MHz PC3-12800, 512x64, XMP 0PV61 2GB, 1600MHz PC3-12800, 256X64, XMP 5DX3Y 2GB, 1600MHz PC3-12800, 256X64, XMP H345K 1GB, 1600MHz PC3-12800, 128X64 P382H 4GB, 1333MHz PC3-10600, 512X64 P223C 2GB, 1333MHz PC3-10600, 128X64 1N7HK 2GB, 1333MHz PC3-10600, 128X64 TW149 1GB, 1333MHz PC3-10600, 128X64 N852H 4GB, 1066MHz PC3-8500, 512X64 Y996D 2GB, 1066MHz PC3-8500, 256X64 F680F 1GB, 1066MHz PC3-8500, 128X64
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
•
17.3K Posts
1
September 3rd, 2014 19:00
Is this an Aurora R1 ?
What Intel processor model number is installed ? (trying to determine your chipset)
djericj
19 Posts
0
September 3rd, 2014 20:00
Yes, I believe it is an R1. The DELL support site just says Alienware Aurora (Late 2009).
The site says PROCESSOR, I7-930, 2.8, 8MB, BLM, D0 for the CPU.
Let me know if you need any more info.
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
•
17.3K Posts
2
September 3rd, 2014 22:00
From my Notes:
An Aurora R1 (with i7-9xx processor and x58 chipset) supports Tri-Channel memory if done right. It will hold 2 banks of 3 DIMMs = 6 DIMMs total. Yes, they ALL should match VERY closely. On top of that, each bank (set of 3) must be COMPLETELY IDENTICAL. Memory should be purchased and installed in sets of 3. Using CPU-ID CPUz and physically inspect.
See PDF Owners and Service Manual on specific allowable RAM DIMM configs and how the Banks work. When Tri-Channel can't work (because Banks are incomplete) it runs in Single-Channel mode which is pretty slow and possibly un-stable. Whether it's old or new set, install 3 matching DIMMs in Bank-1 (slots 1, 3, 5).
Doc BIOS SATA mode (normal or RAID mode). Reset your BIOS to Defaults and remove all Over-Clocks.
They should report correct in BIOS, Dell Hardware Diags (outside of Windows), MemTest86.com boot (long test), and CPUz. If it passes all that ... also in Control Panel/System and other parts of Windows.
For this machine I usually recommend Crucial 1333mhz matched sets.
Those DIMMs might work. If you can get into BIOS, try forcing to 1333 and turn off XMP. Those DIMMs should down-clock a bit and might even run stable. IIRC, as you get into the higher amounts of memory, there are speed limits. I like stable/reliable over razor-edge speed.
If you prefer speed ... somebody (not me) might be able to help you with OC tweaks.
djericj
19 Posts
0
September 3rd, 2014 23:00
OK, so I went into the BIOS and the memory is reporting as running at 1867. The chips themselves have a label on them that says 1866Mhz XMP3.
The current 3x2GB RAM is installed in Slots 1, 3, 5. I tried both sets of new (3x4GB) RAM in the same slots.
The manual seems a bit contradictory, unless I'm missing something. Here is what it says regarding memory replacement:
1066 MHz and I333 MHz DDR3 Slots 1, 3, and 5 or slots 1 — 6
-- OR--
1600 MHz XMP Slots 1, 3, and 5
What I don't understand is why my machine shipped with 1866 RAM if the manual says it only supports 1600. The first RAM I tried from Newegg was 1866. The second set from Crucial is 1600, but neither worked.
I'm definitely more interested in stability rather than speed as long as the loss isn't significant and noticeable. I'm OK buying the 1333 Mhz chips if they will work, I guess I'm just wondering is going from 1866 to 1333 (and disabling XMP) going to have a significant performance reduction?
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
•
17.3K Posts
0
September 3rd, 2014 23:00
1. BIOS was likely set to 1600 (under-clock). Or, even OC to 1866. Hard to say ... but like I said ... slower is better as total amount increases (aren't you trying 100% more or 12gb now)?
2. Good. No, there isn't.
3. I think yours will work if you do as I suggested and under-clock a bit
4. Look at it this way ... I've been running 6 x 2gb (1333mhz) Dimms = 12gb for like 4 years now. Not once has anything seemed "slow".
djericj
19 Posts
0
September 3rd, 2014 23:00
OK, great.
I'll be happy to try this again with this 3x4GB Ballistix 1600 RAM I got today.
The question now is how do I "force" it to run at 1333 as you suggested? I went into the BIOS and most of the parameters that looked related to DRAM were set to Auto.
(Just guessing, do I need to set the Memory Ratio to 10? Not sure though, I've never had to set specific settings for a RAM upgrade before. Is that all I have to do?)
Can you point me in the direction of a document that can tell me how to do this?
(the manual didn't have much info on this point)
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
•
17.3K Posts
0
September 4th, 2014 00:00
I don't really use Over-Clocking, but maybe someone else can help?
Does this help. Get into BIOS OC (basically over-ride or non-Auto).
http://en.community.dell.com/owners-club/alienware/f/3746/t/19310782.aspx
http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/04/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?c=us&docid=117679&doclang=en&l=en&s=gen&cs=
It's my understanding you can force 1333mhz and disable XMP.
djericj
19 Posts
0
September 5th, 2014 18:00
OK, so I tried several things mentioned in that thread and none of them worked. At this point I think I'll just have to give up and return the second set of RAM too. Disappointing. It shouldn't be this difficult to do a simple RAM upgrade.
Thanks for your help.
Sorry it took so long to reply, the forum wouldn't let me login yesterday.
AAA737flyer
2 Intern
•
757 Posts
0
September 6th, 2014 10:00
AAA737flyer
2 Intern
•
757 Posts
1
September 8th, 2014 17:00