Optiplex 380 RAM Upgrade

If you have OptiPlex 380 Mini Tower, Crucial says you may use up to 8 GB (two x 4 GB) of DDR3L or DDR3 RAM. It may run at 1067 MHz, as that is Dell's stated maximum for that model, though it might run faster.

What you used may have had timings (such as latency) that were not compatible with your system.

Crucial is often the most compatible RAM for many Dell systems. Crucial has guaranteed compatible RAM.

Whenever touching components or working inside a computer, wear a grounded wrist strap, also called anti-static wrist strap, ESD wrist strap, or ground bracelet. It's a cheap and sensible precaution. Rest the laptop on an anti-static mat or at least a reasonable alternative such as corrugated cardboard. (Repeatedly touching a metal case part is not sufficient mitigation with modern components.)

Both kits I tried were 1600mhz which I understood to be backward compatible. I have compared every spec to the recommended crucial ram kit and cannot find any conflict. 

Should I just find a lot with the 1067mhz max or pay attention to things like CL or 1RX8 vs 2RX8?

Your post also appears contradictory as the recommend guaranteed compatible kit from crucial lists 1600mhz and all ram I tried was also 1600mhz but you suggest the max speed is less at 1067mhz. If the speed is causing incompatibility then why would crucial work at 1600 and another brand not work rated at the same?

All ram I tried was CL11. I could not find a CL spec on the working old ram. You mentioned timings being a possible conflict and thought this is what you meant.

A-Tech RAM has a lifetime warranty and is a good way to save money on older and somewhat older machines.  I've used it for years now in 2 different Optiplex's and now in my current Precision 3620.

Optiplex 380 A-Tech RAM Amazon 

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@vonmoldy wrote:

I have compared every spec to the recommended crucial ram kit and cannot find any conflict. 

Should I ... pay attention to things like CL ...?

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Those two statements appear contradictory. If you matched every spec, then CL wouldn't be an issue. If you wonder if you should now check CL, that suggests that you did not do so and that all specs may not have matched.

Yours is not a high-performance system. Many RAM modules are available that may match type and speed, but which might have lower latency (CL value) or other differing timings. Such RAM is unlikely to work in your system. Crucial's guaranteed-compatible modules have CL=11.

If you want to be certain, buy the RAM that Crucial guarantees compatible. At least Crucial will accept return/refund if it doesn't work. Alternatively, you could try another brand of 1067 MHz, or possibly 1333 MHz, that has CL=11.

There is no guarantee by Dell that 1600 MHz RAM will work in the 380.  And Crucial doesn't always get it right.  A few years ago, I corrected them 2x about RAM that wasn't working for users and backed it with the Tech Guide for that particular Optiplex.  Nothing changed.  Their RAM hasn't been working in some of the latest Optiplex's.

Though max spec is 4GB RAM, userbenchmark does show 8GB in one of their lists.

From the 380 Tech Guide:

There is no contradiction in what I wrote. Crucial guarantees that those modules will work in your system, or they will accept a return and refund. They do not guarantee that they will run at 1600 MHz. It's common that sometimes faster RAM is offered that is compatible, but it will downclock (run more slowly) to the maximum speed supported by your system.

Dell ships many systems with RAM that can run at a faster speed than that which is supported by the system. 

CL (latency) is just one of the timing specs. And, even when all specs appear to match, some brands of RAM simply don't work in all systems. It has often been found that Crucial is the most compatible non-OEM RAM with many Dell systems. I can't totally explain it, when all specs appear to match, but it is often the case.

For some Dells about the same age as yours, I bought a relatively unknown RAM brand, Kuesuny, through Amazon for much less than the price of a big brand name. I'm happy with it. I ran memory tests for a couple of days to thoroughly test the RAM when I first installed it. It performs well and saved me money. Kuesuny says that they have a lifetime warranty. They will also tell you if they think their RAM is compatible with your system. I contacted them a couple of times and they responded within a day or so (I think they are in Asia).