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m16 R1, retail memory upgrade problems
Alienware m16 R1
I just purchased the Alienware m16 R1 from Best Buy and am attempting to upgrade the ram to 64gb. I purchased 64gb of Crucial 5200mhz DDR5 from Amazon and attempted to install it. The laptop would not even post. I got two red flashes from the power button followed by four blue flashes. I think that indicates a ram issue. I also tried 64gb of known good Gskill Ripjaws 4800mhz ram and had the same problem, no post. What gives? According to the Setup and Specifications manual in Dell's support page for this laptop, this ram should be compatible. I even shared a link to it with Dell sales and they said it was compatible. I simply can't believe I'm locked in to only 16gb of ram on such a high end laptop. Any help would be appreciated. Dell tech support was useless.
jaba108
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April 10th, 2024 02:29
Here is a link to the memory I purchased from Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BNXX1NT8?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1
Chino de Oro
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April 10th, 2024 09:02
CT32G52C42S5 in your kit should work and was listed as compatible on Crucial site.
You are not locked in with only 16gb of ram. Take the tin foil hat off. Verify your installation and test your RAM one stick at a time. Other brands were also reported as compatible as well. You may find more info here https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/comments/15ihvv8/alienware_m16_r1_amd_laptop_ram_upgrade/?rdt=52425
jaba108
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April 10th, 2024 11:38
@Chino de Oro Thanks for the reply and I'm no conspiracy theorist. I previously tried the RAM one stick at a time in the DIMM 1 slot. No go. I tried 64gb of known good 4800MHZ ram in the laptop. No go. I have the latest BIOS and have even done a BIOS reset. I did check out the link and didn't really find anything particularly useful, other than possibly other brands to try. I neglected to post the specs for this system:
Core i9 13900HX
RTX 4080
16GB 5600MHZ
Thanks again for any help anyone can provide.
(edited)
jaba108
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April 10th, 2024 12:36
The Crucial RAM is not defective. I tried it in my Dell G16 7630 and it booted just fine. All 64gb were recognized by the system. Gonna look at returning this laptop to Best Buy since Dell isn't interested in supporting it.
Chino de Oro
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April 11th, 2024 00:11
My comment was for encouragement and pointing out that there is possibility for memory upgrade with your m16 R1. Referencing to success stories from other users.
There were/are some negative posts in this community about some users failed to upgrade memory in their systems. They were considered their failed attempts as the absolute results and a proven theory that Dell had locked the capability to add/replace memory for those systems. There are obvious exclusions for those systems with fixed (locked) capacity, their memory are soldered to the motherboards.
Dell systems are picky with memory configurations, yet, it is not locked and would accepting compatible RAM for expansion upgrade. Just take note of the limitation with (XMP) memory types and speeds as they are mostly the reason for incompatibility.
Dell does not make Dell memory. Instead, their OEM are sourced from those of popular makers, Micron, Samsung, SK Hynix. The same or similar modules can be purchased from the markets at lower cost. Just need some research and you will find yours.
Thanks to Chris M for providing part numbers for those OEM sticks being shipped with the system.