Aurora R6 Memory Question: Why a single DIMM?

I ordered the same, got the same, and have the same question.
 
16GB HyperX FURY DDR4 XMP at 2667MHz ( up to 32GB)
 
Paid extra for 16gb of fast memory, but with only one DIMM installed, ... it's running in Single-Channel Mode.  [:(]
 
Aurora-R6 Service Manual only shows valid memory configurations in DIMM pairs. Motherboard is based on Intel z270 chipset.

Edit 1: My issue has been resolved by Dell (see below).
 

Hey Tesla1856. Thanks for the reply. We seem to have gotten nearly identical rigs... though yours came with a better SSD than mine did. I ended up with a Lite-on (NVMe CX-8B512-Q11 NV).

Do you think they're shipping them out this way deliberately, or that someone's not paying attention? I'm trying to decide whether or not I should be contacting tech support for a replacement... and am wondering how receptive they'll be if I do. I haven't bought a prebuilt system in quite a while.

I also ordered same xmp memory. Can you explain what the problem with running single channel? Adding another 16 i guess would make it dual channel? Why only 32gb max of 2667MHz memory in this system. Lastly, how do i know i'm running at 2667MHz since system shows 2400MHz?

chaos400ra3 - On systems with a chipset that is designed for dual channel (like Kaby Lake), identically-speced DIMMSbeing added in pairs and used in this setup theoretically results in a doubling of maximum transfer rates. If you do a lot of memory-intensive work (video and image editing, for example), you should see some level of improved performance in some related tasks.

This doesn't mean these tasks will go twice as fast, mind you, since memory intensive doesn't mean memory-only... so a doubling of maximum transfer rates for RAM doesn't equal double performance. And in tasks that are not memory-intensive (gaming for example), you probably won't observe any difference between a dual channel and single channel setup.

So if the benefits are not huge, and they restricted to specific tasks and activities, why do I care? Partly, it's because I do occasionally do memory-intensive work. But just as much, it's because any system builder should be following best practices.

As for knowing how fast the memory is (or can be) clocked, use a utility that can read SPD information. Some good ones are HWiNFO64 and CPU-Z. But bear in mind that for memory designed for dual-channel setups, the utility will show a clock speed that is half what you are expecting. So you'll be looking for it to say 1333MHz.

Vyper1212 - Thanks for explaining dual channel. I used userbenchmark.com. It gave UFO for processor and graphics but memory was average. It said memory is Kingston XRGM6C-MIB 1x16GB 2400 at 2667, but PC system performance (task manager) always shows 2400. I can't find this memory part number XRGM6C-MIBS165120666 on Kingston website or google. Where do i find identical ram if want to upgrade another stick of 16?  Lastly, I guess I would put it in slot 2 which would then give me dual channel right?

BTW the Part # for additional 16GB HyperX™ FURY DDR4 XMP at 2667MHz; DDR4 2400 MHz, up to 2667 MHz with XMP (optional); 4 slots supporting up to 64 GB is RGM6C and price is $142.99 from Dell.

Need to buy ram from Dell to match. They only sell 16gb 2667MHz. No 8gb sticks. That's why everyone got 16gb stick and running single channel. You need to buy another 16gb stick directly from Dell to match and run dual channel(put in slot 2) because only available from Dell made by Kingston for Dell. Kingston will not sell it. You can do 64gb 2667 after all but need to change setting in bios.

1. Enter BIOS setup during boot using the F2 function key.

2. Select Advanced

3. Select Performance Options

4. Within Performance Options, select XMP memory over-clocking and change the setting to XMP2.

5. Press the F10 key to save settings and reboot system.

That doesn't seem right... They offer an option that they don't have the parts available to fulfill properly. And the only way to get it addressed is to drop another $143 to end up with more memory than some of us might not want or need? Their own documentation specifies that memory should be added in pairs. So obviously, they agree that that's how it should have been done...

Yes, that our pc's did not come configured for max performance (ie: 1 ram stick single channel and not 2 8 gig sticks dual channel) pisses me off. I complained that configure page says max 32gb so I assumed I would get 2 sticks for 16 and 4 for 32. But now the story is you can configure for 64 of 2667 if you change bios setting to XMP2. So apparently they don't bother having Kingston make 8gb sticks of 2667 for them only 16gb min. Makes no sense for this high performance PC other than more money in Dell's pocket. I never really wanted or needed 32gb ram but now that I know I'm not running dual channel I'm probably going to buy another stick when I get my gift cards.

Yeah, it 's disappointing. But on the plus side, I have benched it, using PCMark 8, Cinebench, and a few current-generation games. And it holds up very well against similarly-configured systems.

Any ideas on how long it takes the Advantage Rewards to show up? It doesn't show at all for me. But to be fair, it's only been a little over a week since I ordered.

They say 3-4 weeks after delivery. I'm on 2 weeks since delivery and no reward yet.

That doesn't seem right... They offer an option that they don't have the parts available to fulfill properly. And the only way to get it addressed is to drop another $143 to end up with more memory than some of us might not want or need? Their own documentation specifies that memory should be added in pairs. So obviously, they agree that that's how it should have been done...

What's the trick to contacting technical support?

I went to the support area, and it told me the warranty for my system (which just arrived on 3/3) was expired. So I tried the chat tool to talk to someone at Dell customer service. She assured me the system was under warranty but that for Alienware systems, I had to call 1-844-395-2200. When I did, the guy who answered asked me what kind of system I was calling about (rattling off brands, including Hp, Dell, etc.). When I said Alienware, he gave me another number (800-624-9897) that, when I googled it, came up as being a suspected scam number.

Why is it so hard to get in contact with someone about a system that isn't even a week old?? I am starting to get a little frustrated here.

I got in touch with them after all. I appreciate everyone's assistance in gathering information about this.

Hi,

The performance difference in dual channel and single channel has closed the gap significantly especially with DDR4 memory iterations and we found customers who valued the fact of being able to upgrade 4x16 to 64GB over 4x8 to 32GB.