RAM upgrade for Optiplex 3020

Dell, Crucial, Mr. Memory, and many other sites all agree on the 16 GB total as the maximum amount of RAM. If you try 32 GB it is at your own risk that the RAM may not be compatible and may not be returned to the vendor. Crucial states that if you try to use RAM that they do not specify as compatible it is not returnable.

Some Optiplex models from that generation can have their RAM exceeded.  However, with the 3020, I'm not seeing 32GB used on userbenchmark.  I'm sure you know the 3020 is a somewhat older model.  If not already, you're welcome to search Dell Community on any other posts on the subject.

I'm not sure if RAM is limited by the chipset as it can limit other things.

Thanks for the responses to my query. I could not find any relevant post from the discussion forum to my initial query, hence raised it in the forum. I understand from literature, that max memory is determined by CPU by the memory controller embedded in it. However, since the motherboard has only 2 DIMM slots, may be they support only a max of 8GB per slot, with 16GB as max memory. I am not sure, if we can put in 16GB RAM into the slots and with any BIOS setting, update the max RAM to 32GB. I do not want to take any risk, if the motherboard is the determining factor for max memory, as it states 16GB is max memory.

If you do try 16GB×2 RAM, if the MB can't take it, it simply won't boot and will throw an error code.  If I was trying it, I'd try it with one 16GB stick first.  If it works, then put in the other.

Of course, no guarantees though and it's at the user's risk.

The 9010 & 9020 are 2 models that can take 32GB RAM.  9010 takes 3rd gen CPU's and the 9020 4th gen.

Did some further research.  I couldn't find any 3020's for sale on Amazon, newegg, and eBay with 32GB RAM.  What I did find is 7020's on sale with 32GB RAM, though max listed is 16GB.  The 7020 has 4 DIMM slots whereas the 3020 has 2.

Hi Brad,

Thanks for your quick responses and suggestions. As per information shared, I don't want to take the risk of updating the RAM to 32GB, will stick to 16GB max.

Hi Brad,

Thanks. I too Googled and since I was finding some contradicting facts, posted in the community to get clarity and guidance.

I'm glad it worked out.  : )

Can Dell 040DDP A01  support  i7-4790 ?

Userbenchmark Optiplex 3020 i7-4790 - Yes.

Be sure to have the latest BIOS that's for the 3020 first.

You should keep the motherboard and get ddr5 high quality 16 gigabyte 

@Iggybeast72​ 

The 3020 takes DDR3 RAM, not DDR5.  Please stick to info that's accurate when digging up old threads.

@bradthetechnut​ that is a lie. The PC will boot and you will not get a error code. The PC with boot you will have to look under task manager under proformance and look at the ram. And see if it all 32gb if it will not support the 32gb the motherboard will only use the max amount 16gb. But since you can use the cpu out of a 7020 or 9020 either a i7 4770 or i7 4790 CPU you should be able to use 32gb or ram. They even make a ddr3 single 16gb or 32gb stick

@Brabbit52​  While you hurl an accusation that something I said is a lie, I see no proof offered that anybody is running 32GB RAM in their 3020.  Why would anybody pay for 32GB RAM for their 3020 when the max is 16GB?