Precision 7560 - broken XMP profile

Question

Hi everyone, I hope this is the right place for this question. I have a Precision 7560 and I purchased some extra memory upgrade (4 x 8GB Crucial/Ballistix BL2K8G32C16S4B). When I install only 2 modules and go to the BIOS I can see an XMP profile is available to select. I select the new XMP Profile and then it successfuly boots into Windows and I can see the memory is running at 3200Mz.However, as soon as I add the other 2 modules, the laptop won't even boot, no POST. Only the front LED blinking 2 amber/4 white (Unrecoverable SPI Failure???). At this point, the only way to resolve the situation is removing the extra 2 modules I added and let it reboot (with still only 2 modules). Also, the only way to use the 4 memory modules is NOT selecting the new XMP profile from the BIOS and leave it to the default setting, which will make the memory run at 2666MHz instead of 32000MHz. To discard a faulty module, I already tried all module permutations, I ran several memory tests for several days, and I could not find any problem at all. The memory seems to be properly recognized by the BIOS, even providing an XMP profile for it. Why it only works for 2 modules and not for all 4? Is there any known bug in the BIOS that is related to this issue? Please, any information will be appreciated. Thanks,

lecep · Answer

anyone?

Chino de Oro · Answer

Why not exchanging them for a 32GB kit (2 x 16GB).  Crucial accepts return if they don't work.

heikkuri · Answer

This forum is not the best place to discuss about third party hardware solutions for Dell Precision. I recommend this one https://efgxt.net/forum/94-mobile-precision/

DELL-Cares · Answer

Hi, We’re still awaiting an update from our internal team. Rest assured, we are constantly tracking this and will write to you as soon as we hear from them. -Karishma

lecep · Answer

Thanks for the link. I'll take a look.

However, considering the issue is related to the XMP profile, I still think it has to do with Dell and how that XMP profile is designed. Why it works with only 2 and not with all 4 modules?.

lecep · Answer

I am not sure if that would work in my case.  I purchased the memory from Amazon several months ago and the return window already passed.  Probably contacting Crucial directly? Will they accept a return even if I didn't buy directly from their website?

nonsocial · Answer

I have a new 7560 and I just installed 4x16GB Crucial RAM (2X2x16GB kits). The bios tells me all are running at 3200Mhz. I specifically avoided Ballistix memory as I thought I had seen some people complaining of problems and going for the conservative option on timings would make it more reliable.

I made a point of using 2 sets of matched pairs although I did not find anything definite that would make this necessary, althought I think if there was a serious mismatch it could affect the max speed.

I have not used XMP, in fact I can't find the option in the BIOS even though I have set the advanced option.

It may be significant that my Bios is version 1.8, although the newest on the website is 1.5.

Is your laptop an older model that does not support 3200MHz as standard?

lecep · Answer

Thanks for your feedback. Mine is a 7560 as well, running BIOS 1.7.0. I'm not sure what happed to the BIOS updates on Dell's website but they removed 1.6.1 and 1.7.0; I din't know they had 1.8.0 already.

Unfortunatelly, I went with the Ballistix option. I purchased 2 sets (2 x 2x8GB) and the 4 modules are exactly the same model.

To enable/disable XMP, I go to the Performance submenu (second last on the left) and scroll all the way down on the right, until I find:

"OverClocking feature

Extreme Memory Profile

Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) allows the user ... ...

(o) Default DIMM Profile ( ) XMP1 Profile1"

Precision Mobile Workstations

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