Optiplex 7010 RAM running at 1333, not 1600

Question

I just upgraded my optiplex 7010 from the stock 2x2GB: Looking at the dell support website it lists this RAM as:

317-8985 : 4GB, NON-ECC, 1600MHZ DDR3,2DI MM,OptiPlex

Part #: GDN7X (dual in-line memory module, 2G, 1600, 256x64, 8, 240, 1RX8)

I purchased gSkill (2x8GB) 1600MHZ ram certified for CL10-10-10-30: (NewEgg part #: N82E16820231558).

When I took out the 4GB and installed the new 16GB (Because system max is 16GB according to the manual) it loaded fine but windows says its running at 1333MHZ. I tested it in memtest86+ and it said it was running at 1333MHZ with 9-9-9-24 timings? At the bottom it said *XMP*

My question is pretty straight forward...can I adjust the RAM timings and speed in the bios? I entered the bios but couldn't seem to find anywhere where I could access/change these values.

HOW CAN I DO THIS????

Lastly, according to my quick math, it's certified for a time of:

10/1600 = 0.00625 seconds. And is now running at a time of:

9/1333 = 0.00675 seconds. I would really like to run it at 1600MHZ and even if that means switching to a CL11-11-11-36 that'd be okay with me but I can't figure out how to do it?

(11/1600 = 0.006875 seconds so technically slower than is currently running at...and running fine).

DELL-Chris M · Answer

Dell does not offer any way to change the memory settings on this model. Boot into the Bios- General- System Information screen. What does it list for Memory Speed?

We only shipped one 8GB stick on this model =
66GKY 8GB, 1600MHz, 512X64, 8K, 240, 2RX8

Two 8GB sticks would be installed in the two white memory slots.

bmcelvan · Answer

Sorry forgot to mention, it's definitely running at 1333MHZ 9-9-9-24

bmcelvan · Answer

Thanks for the response. They are installed in the white ones, 1 and 3 I believe.

That is very dissappointing,

Can you confirm that the same memory work work if it was 4x4GB instead of 2x8GB?

So instead of using what I have: NewEgg (N82E16820231558)

Get this instead: NewEgg (N82E16820231497)

Thanks

Ben

Dan-H · Answer

What might be happening is the BIOS and the memory are not agreeing on an initial speed, so they default to the JDEC spec of 1333 9-9-9-24.

Since the BIOS doesn't expose a way to change timing you can't use the BIOS.

You might try using Intel XTU (extreme tuning utility) and I have had some success with it. I say some as it hasn't worked on all the systems I've tried.

On one system I was able to keep 1600Mhz, but improve the timings from 11-11-11-28 1T to 7-9-8-18 1T

downloadcenter DOT intel.com/download/24075/Intel-Extreme-Tuning-Utility-Intel-XTU-

(replace DOT with a . and paste into your browser address bar).

Dan-H · Answer

Oh, one more thing. G.Skill has a great memory forum so you can ask and the tech's there can probably provide the complete set of factory timings to match the CL 10 (10-10-10-30). The secondary and tertiary timings are needed to keep it stable.

www DOT gskill.us/forum/

bmcelvan · Answer

okay apparently the image didn't come thru. Go here (you'll have to included the dots in the beginning): www uvm edu/~bmcelvan/docs/XTU_Advanced_Tuning.png

bmcelvan · Answer

Dell-Chris M - Can you confirm that if I switch to 16GB (4x4GB) dimms that should fix the issue?

Page 13 from this document:

www uvm edu/~bmcelvan/docs/Dell-OptiPlex-7010-Technical-Guidebook.pdf

Funny this document wasn't available to me thru dell support when I searched there...

bmcelvan · Answer

Thanks for this reply Dan-H. I installed XTU and then switched to "advanced tuning" but didn't see anything for RAM timings, etc. I check the help section and it said they should be there in advanced tuning or may not be available by all manufacturers. Is this where they should be. There are some core things I could change but some of these were greyed out too.

Here's an image of what it looked like...am I right in thinking this is a dead end?

DELL-Chris M · Answer

Unfortunately, we cannot confirm any 3rd party memory because we did not test it. We can only confirm our OEM memory sticks =
66GKY DDR3, 8GB, 1600MHz
VT8FP DDR3, 4GB, 1600MHz
PT2C5 DDR3, 4GB, 1600MHz
FYHV1 DDR3, 4GB, 1600MHz
531R8 DDR3, 4GB, 1600MHz
1V30P DDR3, 2GB, 1600MHz
GDN7X DDR3, 2GB, 1600MHz

Just do an internet search for the Dell 5 digit part number to find sellers. Example =
dell part VT8FP

powerpodge · Answer

Hi,

Just to be clear did the original memory actually run at 1600MHz - did you check?

What is the Processor? - i3 second generation were limited to 1333 RAM which some 7010 did ship with.

If the above are ok then have you updated the BIOS? I've had a number of modules rejected in Dell 760 etc. until the BIOS was updated.

And as per 'Dell-Chris' - you cannot adjust RAM timings of Dell systems with any software - these are BIOS locked.

Velocity822 · Answer

Take it to a shop, they can do this.

bmcelvan · Answer

Thanks for the reply PowerPodge. Yes both the user manual, technical specs document and the components listing under Dell Support for my specific service tag showed shipped with 2X2GB 1600MHZ dimms. i7-3790 processor so no problems there.

Went ahead and got the 16GB (4X4GB) 1600MHZ 9-9-9-24 gSkill RAM kit and it was recognized at 1600 ok, although at 11-11-11-28. So technically slightly slower speed than the 1333@9-9-9-24 (0.0675 vs. 0.06875 seconds). However I don't game, I do a lot of heavy multitasking while also compressing/data management/image conversion so the faster MHZ actually should make a difference.

Last time I ever use a Dell, seriously!!

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Optiplex 7010 RAM running at 1333, not 1600

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