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March 25th, 2020 19:00

Inspiron 15 different hardware support, docs, specs and worse support/service !

Hello,

After 10 years of using and servicing brand I am totally dissapointed with one think - there are extremely different information between manufacturer documentation for service tag, official country service, hardware specification and website support/customer service.

I have following case:

I have Inspiron 15 (3521) laptop out of warranty and I need to upgrade my RAM memory. It is with current configuration:

Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3537U CPU @ 2.00GHz  / 3.1GHz TurboBoost 

Chipset: Intel IvyBridge HM76

Intel HD Graphics HD4000 - integrated in CPU - i7 3rd gen 3537U

AMD Radeon (TM) HD 8500M/8700M  2GB DDR3 vram

Current RAM: 4GB DDR3L (low memory 1.35v)

Originally come with 2x4GB DDR3L. 

 

1. In manufacturer documentation it shows that it support only DDR3 1.5v for  3521 and DDR3L for 3537.

2. In official dell service for my country they say that it support only 1.5v and max 8gb, while now i am running 4gb on 1.35v checked in CPU-Z, BIOS and AIDA/SPECCY ETC.....

3. According to chipset (HM76) it must support up to 2x8GB 

4. According to CPU it handle max 64GB of ram, okay. Low memory profile for RAM (DDR3L) starts in 3-rd gen series - mine is i7 3rd gen (3537)https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/72054/intel-core-i7-3537u-processor-4m-cache-up-to-3-10-ghz.html

 

I tried to contact with livechat support - both customer service and sellers where I was many time re-transferring to different departments and I was unable to open ticket due to automatic redirections of system. I even made contact with Crusial support....

 

So my "mission" is to buy 2x8GB kit HyperX on 1600MHz and preferably with low memory. However there are two different information - first is that according to dell service and documentation I do not support 1.35v and 16gb, and second is that laptop came originally with 2x4 on low memory, even now I am running it and according to chipset HM76 and AIDA my "Maximum Memory Module Size is 8192 MB". I am not able to understand if there is limitation which DELL set on BIOS (updated to A16-latest for product). I was buying only geniuse parts using part numbers, like keyboard, 6cell battery and now I am just confused with them thinking not to upgrade with alienware due to this problem.

Even in  kingston site for my product specification it says that I can install 2x8 if I am with 3-rd gen core i-series hm76. 

So Please, suggest, advice or inform me if someone had similar case. I need 16 with reason - I am working remotely making much RDPs and SSHs (WSL2) with many multitasking under few VPNs. It is running Windows 10 with UEFI + GPT on SSD and working without issues, when microsoft even was not thinking of win10 .... I can give whatever information or screenshots if someone need....

 

4 Operator

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11.1K Posts

March 25th, 2020 20:00

I am not sure why you are making this so difficult.

I buy what Crucial.com recommends. Last I check they will take returns if they are wrong.

 

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December 13th, 2020 08:00

Hi,

Unfortunately I am on EU market and there is a big issue with delivery/ordering status. Everything is addressed now.

On date of built there was not yet exist low memory "technology" for ddr3 ram memory  but actually 3rd gen processors are first that support it so I just tested with one piece of 8gb on one slot, and now I am running 2x8GB DDR3L (it support both 1.35 and 1.5v).

I bought brand new OEM AC adapter, keyboard and 6 cell battery, and now it is like brand new: 

  1. 131036744_379421653153014_5902618069692498558_n.jpg131008884_241456843986958_7014474863257612570_n.jpg

Old Dell laptops even low class as Inspiron are awesome and I think that Dell just do not have benefit, this is why they changed some lines like G series that are with integrated components like battery. 

It is dual booting like a charm (SSD, using UEFI boot on GPT, with secure boot enabled + AHCI Mode) on Windows 10 and Kubuntu 20 + Plasma 5 (lts)

I am excited that even there aren't any issues nor with drivers on both OS, neither with watching 4K films on TV or playing normal games - started playing starcraft 2 with ultra high. If someone uses almost all of its potential for both work, playing games or personal he will not loose if he upgrade "to max".  And this is not paid review, I am also dissapointed of support if it has expired. If someone need such:

https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/26399139

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