Optiplex 7010 only showing half the memory

Question

Hey, I have an Optiplex 7010 which I am solely using with Proxmox for VMs. It came with 4GB memory and I have bought two 8GB sticks from Corsair (this is the specific model).

I've installed and it told me it needed to check the memory as it had been changed. I said yes, and it run. OK, however, it only recognises each stick as having 4GB (i.e. half the size). Now I know this model supports up to 16GB, but even looking at the BIOS or my Proxmox install, it only shows as having 8Gb installed.

I thought it could be an old BIOS so I upgraded it to the latest version but it didn't change the amount of memory it shows. I've read through a lot of other posts here where people report the same issues but nothing seems to work for me, so wondering if any of you can help?

Thanks in advance

mplacona · Accepted Answer

I feel silly because all the advice here was awesome and I tried them all.

Why is it I feel silly you ask? Long story short I bought this memory on eBay where it was advertised at 16GB (2x 8GB).

I didn't even think of checking it until yesterday when I looked at the sticks and they clearly said"

> 8GB (2X 4GB)

I've sent it back for a full refund as I think the seller also made a mistake. So basically there was no problem, the memory reported exactly what it was.

I went ahead and found someone (who lives nearby) selling 4x 4GB and now have a full 16GB.

Thanks for all the help!

JOcean · Answer

Are you sure it sees half of each RAM module and not just one of the RAM modules? I would try a single module in each DIMM slot to make sure that both slots are working properly and that both RAM modules are working.

bradthetechnut · Answer

Optiplex 7010 Tech Guide  EDIT:  I see max DIMM according to spec is 8GB. You might try to populate DIMMS 1 & 3, or 2 & 4, rather than 1 & 2, etc.

redxps630 · Answer

JOCean is correct. instead of thinking 8gb ram is detected as 4gb, is it possible that one of your DIMM slot is not working, or one of the 8gb ram is defective. the latter possibility is small as BIOS would usually beep or stall when a bad ram is detected. A bent cpu socket pin for example can render half the dual channel DIMM not working.

In your bios I suspect only one 8 gb is detected, not two "4 gb".

mplacona · Answer

Hey, so I tried each individual stick and they both alone report only half the memory (i.e. 4096mb). Here's a picture of the BIOS (sorry it's a literal picture):

I then tried to also insert the other two sticks I had before (2GB each) and they show correctly leaving. me with 12GB

2x 8GB that show incorrectly as 4 each
2x 2GB that show correctly as 2 each

Any other things you reckon I can try?

Thanks

bradthetechnut · Answer

Sorry, your photo wasn't approved. By any chance did it have the service tag # in the photo? That'll do it.

Did you try my idea with populating certain DIMM slots with your 8GB RAM?

Also, are you mixing the RAM? That could also cause an issue.

bradthetechnut · Answer

'I then tried to also insert the other two sticks I had before (2GB each) and they show correctly leaving. me with 12GB'  Oops, math is a little off in that sentence, as 7010 only has 4 DIMMs. What size/form factor of the 7010 are we working with here?

redxps630 · Answer

Re: 2x 8GB that show incorrectly as 4 each

can you upload high resolution pic of the actual 8 gb ram you received? is it possible what you actually got is 4 gb stick instead of 8gb. would like to see the exact model number of ram stick on its sticker.

Optiplex Desktops

Optiplex 7010 only showing half the memory

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