Want to upgrade Area 51 RAM

Question

I currently have 3 RAM slots with 2GB of RAM in each. I attempted to replace these with CORSAIR Vengeance 12GB (3 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ12GX3M3A1600C9, but could not get the computer to boot. The Alienware tech informed me that I needed the Kingston HyperX (part number 0TDWJ) 4GB 1600MGZ PC3-12800, 512x64, XMP modules. I reinstalled the RAM modules that came with the computer.

However, I can not locate this part number as either a Kingston or Dell part number. Is there a way to tweak the BIOS to make the corsair modules work, or do I need to purchase Kingston modules or some other brand? I am not particularly gifted technically, but thought a RAM upgrade would be an easy fix. The Saphire 7990 Graphic card upgrade went in without a problem. Thanks in advance...

John

Hello jjbbelgium

To make your Corsair memory work you need to do this:

1) Hit F2 and enter BIOS

2) Go to the Frequency & Voltage Control Tab

3) Set Memory Ratio to 12x

4) Set XMP Support to Off

5) Enter the Overvoltage Configuration Tab

6) Set the QPI & Uncore Voltage to +200mv

Leave all other memory settings on Auto/Default values.

Save and reboot.

This should have you booting your 12gb of 1600mhz RAM.

morblore · Accepted Answer

I currently have 3 RAM slots with 2GB of RAM in each. I attempted to replace these with CORSAIR Vengeance 12GB (3 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ12GX3M3A1600C9, but could not get the computer to boot. The Alienware tech informed me that I needed the Kingston HyperX (part number 0TDWJ) 4GB 1600MGZ PC3-12800, 512x64, XMP modules. I reinstalled the RAM modules that came with the computer.

However, I can not locate this part number as either a Kingston or Dell part number. Is there a way to tweak the BIOS to make the corsair modules work, or do I need to purchase Kingston modules or some other brand? I am not particularly gifted technically, but thought a RAM upgrade would be an easy fix. The Saphire 7990 Graphic card upgrade went in without a problem. Thanks in advance...

John

Hello jjbbelgium

To make your Corsair memory work you need to do this:

1) Hit F2 and enter BIOS

2) Go to the Frequency & Voltage Control Tab

3) Set Memory Ratio to 12x

4) Set XMP Support to Off

5) Enter the Overvoltage Configuration Tab

6) Set the QPI & Uncore Voltage to +200mv

Leave all other memory settings on Auto/Default values.

Save and reboot.

This should have you booting your 12gb of 1600mhz RAM.

rmac3 · Answer

Find the right memory, the easy way...

The Crucial System Scanner automatically analyzes your computer memory information and suggests an upgrade that's guaranteed compatible

http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/

This worked for me.

rmac3

DELL-Pablo R · Answer

If the system doesn't post with the modules you're trying to install, I'd say is time to return them and try different ones. It could be due to incompatibility issues or they maybe faulty.

Apparently, there's anything wrong with the slots on the Mobo if the machine posted using the original modules.

If you're in the US or CA region, shoot us an email to alienwareupgrades@dell.com. We can answer all your questions about that upgrade.

DELL-Chris M · Answer

jjbbelgium,

What specific CPU is installed? The reason I ask is we cannot use (YGWPH 4GB, 1600MHz PC3-12800, 512X64, XMP) with the Gulftown processors -
HXGV2 i7-990X Gulftown 3.46GHz B1
XVN0Y i7-980X Gulftown Overclocked to 3.33GHz 4.00GHz, 12MB
F3VGJ i7-980X Gulftown 3.33GHz 12MB B1
5RG05 i7-980 Gulftown 3.33GHz B1

If you have one of those, return the Corsair memory. Call Dell Spare Parts 1-800-357-3355 and ask for prices and availability. Provide to them the part number listed below.
Three 0TDWJ 4GB, 1600MHz PC3-12800, 512x64, XMP

That part number is valid on our parts tool.

DELL-Chris M · Answer

morblore, Isn't that Corsair XMP? Are you saying even if it is, that he must disable XMP in the Bios slowing the memory down?

morblore · Answer

The XMP profile on the Area 51 has issues with many types of memory. I think the conclusion we came to was that the BIOS could not correctly read the XMP profile on the DIMMs. If I recall right I believe I helped a few people here that had the Kingston that also failed to OC correctly with the XMP enabled but I'm not 100% sure on that. I know I'v helped a bunch of people this way with Corsair memory.

When I bought my Corsair memory I had to call Corsair to get it to work. We first needed to find out what the BIOS base volt values were and then set them manually. That was the hard part. We knew what the QPI/Uncore volts needed to be but we had no way of knowing what the base was when we added more volts. Like I said in my replay you bump the QPI/Uncore by +200mv but I bet you can't tell me what the base volts are that I am adding that +200mv to.

Using XMP is not a big deal really since you can just do it old school and overclock it manually instead of using XMP.

jjbbelgium · Answer

First, thanks to everyone for their kind reply. I would like to keep and use the Corsair RAM upgrade that I have now and will attempt the BIOS tweaks you’ve outlined and will post here as to my level of success. As a possible point of interest, this is my second attempt to upgrade the RAM for this machine. I
had previously purchased 3 matching 8GB modules. They may have been rated at 1600MGZ or higher. However the computer would not boot. I subsequently talked to two different Alienware techs who informed me that my MOB has a threshold of just 4GB per slot @ a maximum of 1600MGZ. Obviously, I would have loved to have added 24GB of RAM, but alas this was not to be. The 8GB modules were returned to the supplier in favor of the aforementioned 4GB modules.
Thanks again.

John

The tech was right. The limits are 6gb(2x3) up to 1866mhz or 12gb(4x3) up to 1600mhz.

morblore · Answer

First, thanks to everyone for their kind reply. I would like to keep and use the Corsair RAM upgrade that I have now and will attempt the BIOS tweaks you’ve outlined and will post here as to my level of success. As a possible point of interest, this is my second attempt to upgrade the RAM for this machine. I
had previously purchased 3 matching 8GB modules. They may have been rated at 1600MGZ or higher. However the computer would not boot. I subsequently talked to two different Alienware techs who informed me that my MOB has a threshold of just 4GB per slot @ a maximum of 1600MGZ. Obviously, I would have loved to have added 24GB of RAM, but alas this was not to be. The 8GB modules were returned to the supplier in favor of the aforementioned 4GB modules.
Thanks again.

John

The tech was right. The limits are 6gb(2x3) up to 1866mhz or 12gb(4x3) up to 1600mhz.

morblore · Answer

Morblore,&#xa0;Your recommendation worked perfectly, and on the first try. &#xa0;I thought I was going to be forced to return the Corsair 4GB modules but the recommended BIOS tweaks worked like a charm! &#xa0;You really are a Rockstar!&#xa0;Awesome news. I'm happy you got it working

jjbbelgium · Answer

Morblore,

Your recommendation worked perfectly, and on the first try. I thought I was going to be forced to return the Corsair 4GB modules but the recommended BIOS tweaks worked like a charm! You really are a Rockstar!

Awesome news. I'm happy you got it working

AW CO3 · Answer

@moreblore or tesla

since i added the new gtx 570 i too am going to upgrade from the stock memory.im going with the corsair as well

will this work in my system without any problems.. www.newegg.com/.../Product.aspx what slots would i put them in

any other suggestions are more than welcome going to stick with 12gbs for now,,just want to upgrade to better components,,,

next will be a dell or asus 24" monitor..

AW CO3 · Answer

thanks so much,,i knew thats what i wanted but didnt know how to look...

just need now to decide on wich one to get

you guys rock!!!!

what are the correct slots to install the ram??

morblore · Answer

@moreblore or tesla

since i added the new gtx 570 i too am going to upgrade from the stock memory.im going with the corsair as well

will this work in my system without any problems.. www.newegg.com/.../Product.aspx what slots would i put them in

any other suggestions are more than welcome going to stick with 12gbs for now,,just want to upgrade to better components,,,

next will be a dell or asus 24" monitor..

That memory will not work because you only have 3 DIMM slots. It may work with just 3 of them installed but why buy a pack of 4? You want a triple channel kit.

You want something like this. Any of these will work in your system:

12GB up to 1600mhz

morblore · Answer

Just put them in the same 3 slots your old ram is in.

OH WAIT A SEC!! I thought you had the Area 51 because of the title of this post but your sig has the Aurora, with that system you want the 4 pack ram like you linked.

Everything I linked is for the Area 51 and not the Aurora. If you go to the Dell downloads and lookup your system then you can download the manual for it. It will tell you where to install the RAM, the Max amout of RAM you can use and the MAX speed it supports. I'm not able to look it up ATM and I do not know what it can use off hand.

AW CO3 · Answer

thanks morblore,,,maybe i should have started another thread for this issue

all the slots are filled now with 2gigs each.

so if i want to stay with 12gbs of ram will the ones you linked work as well?

the one i linked was for 16gigs of ram...

sorry about the confusion

want to get this right the first time and get the correct parts

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Want to upgrade Area 51 RAM

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