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88759
September 27th, 2013 05:00
Installing 16GB PC3L-12800S RAM into my L702x
Before anyone asks, I am running some serious SQL Server queries while at the same time surfing the net, watching videos, doing other programming etc. Hence I am looking to have a tonne of RAM as when I had 6GB my system would crash through lack of memory!
Anyway, I grabbed a couple of 8GB DDR3 PC3L-12800S sticks and figured this would be perfect. However, on replacing my current RAM with them (PC3-10600S) I get a set of 3 error beeps, beeping 4 times each time, then the system doesn't boot. I understand that PC3L is low voltage, but I was under the impression that all DDR3 memory should run no problem.
So this sounds like a BIOS issue or something where I have to step down the RAM voltage manually maybe? Or is it another problem? I cannot imagine that the RAM is incompatible with my system... I have an XPS L702X.
blobbles
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September 27th, 2013 07:00
Uhhh... there are standards for a reason. DDR3 is a standard, so I should be able to use any DDR3 RAM. I think if they demand you use "Dell Compatible" RAM, its just because they are charging more for it and/or have a preferred partner. It should NOT mean that it will somehow work better.
Actually, I have managed to do it after installing first 8GB into the first slot, booting and shutting down, then installing 8GB into the second slot and booting.
For some reason it didn't accept the change to 16 GB of new RAM straight away despite me reseating/swapping them a couple of times. So instead I just tried 8GB in the first slot and it worked. Then installed the seconds 8GB in the second slot and it recognised it too. Problem solved (though I have never had such a problem upgrading like this before!). Its possible that it couldn't figure out to lower the voltage on both slots at the same time, so just threw an error code.
ieee488
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September 27th, 2013 06:00
You cannot imagine. Oh, really?
Dell-compatible RAM can be purchased at http://www.crucial.com or from Dell itself. Anything else is your gamble.
ieee488
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September 27th, 2013 07:00
DDR3 may be a standard but doesn't mean people don't have problems with some brands versus another. Try reading the reviews over at Newegg sometime.