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October 7th, 2025 16:13
ram upgrade
hello,
I have dell inspiron 3891.
It intel i5 10400 , with comet lake b560 motherboard. ram : MTA4ATF1G64AZ-3G2E1 8GB 1XR16 ddr4-3200. I tried to upgrade the system with this ram ct16G4DFRA32A. they dont comply for a reason. I was told it was due to rank. the former is 1xR16 the latter 1xR8.
Can u recommend me one memory card which will comply 100% to my system and motherboard?
Id like to add that at start i tried to buy an 8gb memory for the 2nd empty slot. Guess what?! it was not working since the beginning and i realised it 4 years later from the buy. So i have a spare memory card which i cant use.
Please help me and suggest me a fully compatible ram 16gb size , because im losing my patience with how strict the ram upgrade is in this desktop, combined with my lack of specific IT knowledge. In addition i realised the the whole this is integrated in the Tower, i wanted to change motherboard it this is impossible.. Anyway.. lets focus to the compatible ram which i can use to upgrade from 8gb to 16 in the one and only working slot.
If possible i would like an answer from a Greek representative
Thanks
ejn63
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October 7th, 2025 16:25
Crucial's part number is CT16G4DFRA32A
If that doesn't work, there's some other issue with the system board.
christosTer
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October 7th, 2025 16:30
I know, thats what i tested. The windows couldnt boot, and the power button had orange colour instead of white. And exactly.. the system. if that helps , system reads perfect another ram i tested CT8G4DFRA32A.
redxps630
9 Legend
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October 7th, 2025 17:21
3891 Dell oem ram
DIMM, 12G, 1X4/1X8, 3200, U, NE
DIMM, 8GB, 1X8G, 3200, 16, U, NE
16GB (1x16GB) DDR4 non ECCmemory
(edited)
christosTer
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October 7th, 2025 17:41
@redxps630 this one of Crucial CT16G4DFRA32A , doesnt it have similar characteristics with DK8NX? why its not compliable? like unreadable. maybe the product is defective? Should it normally workUnfortunately i cant use a second 8gb ram. the problem with the 2nd ram slot is that it is non-fuctioning and it is irreperable. i cant even change the motherboard to have 2 proper ram slots. thats sad. i wish i had found it during the warranty period.
forgot to say that i tried hynix. the system could read it, but it used to freeze frequently. games could not be played properly. And pc was restarting due to message "a problem with your memory" or sth
(edited)
ejn63
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October 7th, 2025 17:46
The mainboard can be replaced -- you can find Inspiron 3891 boards on EBay for under $100.
christosTer
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October 7th, 2025 19:06
@ejn63 thanks for the reply my friend. Everything in the tower i have is integrated to it. u can changle only ram and graphics card. I bought the dell desktop from media markt. Greece. I found the problem with the "broken" slot this year. i had 2 more years insurancefrom Allianz. The exact same motherboard is no longer on sale. thats what i was said by the tech support stuff who communicate with the assurance. we decided to order a different model around 50 plus € with my own expenses, compatible with the existing hardware. Our plan failed when the technician realised that u cant unplug/disconnect the motherboard . have a look at this if it makes sense. https://www.dell.com/support/contents/en-us/videos/videoplayer/how-to-replace-the-m2-2230-solid-state-drive-on-inspiron-3891/6314672491112
forgive me for the technical terminology sometimes, but im not an expert.
ejn63
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October 7th, 2025 19:41
Whoever told you that either didn't know the answer, or was not being truthful.
The board is relatively easy to replace:
https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-us/inspiron-3891-desktop/inspiron-3891-service-manual/removing-the-system-board?guid=guid-c6cfb75c-c0b6-4526-915a-f3ca52ea0243&lang=en-us
And though they're not inexpensive, the boards are readily available.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=inspiron+3891+motherboard&_sacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p4624852.m570.l1313
redxps630
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October 7th, 2025 19:51
Re: the problem with the 2nd ram slot is that it is non-functioning and it is irreparable.
was the cpu ever removed from socket on this mobo.
if it was, there is a possibility that socket pin was bent causing loss of 2nd memory channel leading to 2nd slot not working
CT does not work because Dell bios is restrictive to selected oem rams most of the time. the CT memory itself may be okay.
EthanRobinson
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October 13th, 2025 06:31
For your Dell Inspiron 3891 with an Intel i5-10400 and B560 motherboard, it's crucial to choose RAM that is compatible with your system's specifications, particularly the memory rank and capacity.
Since your current RAM is a single 8GB stick (1xR16), the issue you're facing with the 16GB RAM (1xR8) not working is due to the difference in rank. Your motherboard likely requires RAM with a similar rank, which is typically 1xR16.
To upgrade to 16GB, I recommend the Crucial CT16G4DFRA32A (16GB DDR4-3200, 1x16GB, 1R), which should be compatible with your system, as it aligns with the required single-rank configuration. Make sure to check your motherboard's manual or Dell's support site for full specifications, as some systems may have specific requirements regarding RAM configuration.
If you're looking for more options, you can also consider Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (1x16GB) DDR4-3200 or Kingston HyperX Fury 16GB (1x16GB) DDR4-3200, both of which are widely compatible with similar systems.
If you're still facing issues or need assistance in Greece, it might be helpful to contact Dell's local support for further clarification on memory compatibility.