Mixing brands of memory is never a good idea, even if its the same electronically. Also you need to install memory in pairs to maintain dual channel operation.
Best option if you want to use non-Dell memory is to only install whatever brand you want in pairs (although not all brands may work).
Here is the Crucial memory listing for the 8700. Cruical is one non-Dell memory brand that is guaranteed to work in a Dell.
This is not limited to Dell's. I have a home built desktop using an ASUS ROG (gamer) motherboard. I have 16 GB (two 8GB sticks) of Corsair memory and 16 GB (two 8GB sticks) of GSkill. Both are the same speed and other electronic specs. My desktop will boot with either the Corsair or GSkill memory but if I install both it will not boot and give me a memory error. Max memory for this motherboard is 64GB so the max memory is not an issue.
Its hit or miss with non-Dell specific memory. Probably most will work as long as its all the same brand/type. As previously noted, mixing brands/types usually causes problems. But, avoid the Kingston Value Ram (KVR) as it has been iffy in most Dell's and other brands.
The Crucial memory brand has been what we have suggested for years, for non-Dell memory as it is guaranteed to work in a Dell. Not so much newer Dell's, but over the years Dell's tended to be finicky with memory brands. Keep in mind Dell uses proprietary motherboards.
Best suggestion I can give you is buy whatever memory you want from a site that has easy returns so you can return it if it doesn't work.
Update: I tried to install the Corsair modules but it wouldn't boot in any configuration.
It gets worse: Now it won't even boot after I removed all the new modules and put the original modules back into the white slots. I made sure to ground the PSU by holding down the power button every time I unplugged the power as well as remove the video card per the manual. I think I did everything right. I even tried popping out the old modules and putting them back in again after the video card was put in. No dice.
Does using the "wrong" brand of RAM fry the motherboard?
Update: I tried to install the Corsair modules but it wouldn't boot in any configuration.
It gets worse: Now it won't even boot after I removed all the new modules and put the original modules back into the white slots. as well as remove the video card per the manual. I think I did everything right. I even tried popping out the old modules and putting them back in again after the video card was put in. No dice.
1. Does using the "wrong" brand of RAM fry the motherboard?
2. I made sure to ground the PSU by holding down the power button every time I unplugged the power
1. No, not usually. But jacking-around with the ram sockets too much on an old motherboard might. You must be very gentle.
2. Yes, you must release the "flea-power". Shut-Down, turn-off, un-plug from wall, press power-button a few times, and then wait 30 seconds (use this time to say a prayer) ... before removing anything from motherboard.
What should I do now? I tried Corsair because I already bought the first ones before posting and was waiting for the others to arrive. But if there's a mobo issue I don't want to waste more time and money trying Crucial RAM. It won't boot with the original modules, so how do I know if the mobo is okay?
Put the original Dell memory back in the PC. Reset the CMOS memory and see if this helps. If not, the motherboard could be damaged. To reset the CMOS memory, with the PC powered off, remove the CR2032 coin cell battery on the motherboard for at least 10 minutes. Reinstall, observing polarity, and power on.
If it still will not boot, chance are the motherboard was damaged. Depending on what you did, installing the extra memory, if you did not ground yourself first or use a "grounding wrist strap" (best option) you may have damaged something on the motherboard (or memory) with static electricity.
I tried that, but no luck. Does Dell still make this motherboard for a replacement? It might just be more cost effective to buy a new pc. This one is 4 years old. I was hoping it would last longer, but replacing the motherboard on a 4 year old pc probably isn't worth it.
fireberd
9 Legend
•
33.4K Posts
0
July 13th, 2018 03:00
Mixing brands of memory is never a good idea, even if its the same electronically. Also you need to install memory in pairs to maintain dual channel operation.
Best option if you want to use non-Dell memory is to only install whatever brand you want in pairs (although not all brands may work).
Here is the Crucial memory listing for the 8700. Cruical is one non-Dell memory brand that is guaranteed to work in a Dell.
http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/compatible-upgrade-for/Dell/xps-8700
This is not limited to Dell's. I have a home built desktop using an ASUS ROG (gamer) motherboard. I have 16 GB (two 8GB sticks) of Corsair memory and 16 GB (two 8GB sticks) of GSkill. Both are the same speed and other electronic specs. My desktop will boot with either the Corsair or GSkill memory but if I install both it will not boot and give me a memory error. Max memory for this motherboard is 64GB so the max memory is not an issue.
fraidcables
12 Posts
0
July 13th, 2018 21:00
Does anyone know which brands will work and which ones won't?
Also, can I do 2x4GB in the black slots and 2x2GB in the white? I assume I don't need the same size in all four.
fireberd
9 Legend
•
33.4K Posts
0
July 14th, 2018 03:00
Its hit or miss with non-Dell specific memory. Probably most will work as long as its all the same brand/type. As previously noted, mixing brands/types usually causes problems. But, avoid the Kingston Value Ram (KVR) as it has been iffy in most Dell's and other brands.
The Crucial memory brand has been what we have suggested for years, for non-Dell memory as it is guaranteed to work in a Dell. Not so much newer Dell's, but over the years Dell's tended to be finicky with memory brands. Keep in mind Dell uses proprietary motherboards.
Best suggestion I can give you is buy whatever memory you want from a site that has easy returns so you can return it if it doesn't work.
fraidcables
12 Posts
0
July 20th, 2018 21:00
Update: I tried to install the Corsair modules but it wouldn't boot in any configuration.
It gets worse: Now it won't even boot after I removed all the new modules and put the original modules back into the white slots. I made sure to ground the PSU by holding down the power button every time I unplugged the power as well as remove the video card per the manual. I think I did everything right. I even tried popping out the old modules and putting them back in again after the video card was put in. No dice.
Does using the "wrong" brand of RAM fry the motherboard?
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
•
17.4K Posts
0
July 20th, 2018 21:00
1. No, not usually. But jacking-around with the ram sockets too much on an old motherboard might. You must be very gentle.
2. Yes, you must release the "flea-power". Shut-Down, turn-off, un-plug from wall, press power-button a few times, and then wait 30 seconds (use this time to say a prayer) ... before removing anything from motherboard.
He said Crucial (Micron) not Corsair.
http://crucial.com/usa/en/compatible-upgrade-for/Dell/xps-8700
You always install (properly spec-ed) memory in matched pairs. Two (matched) DIMMs per Memory-Bank will give you Dual-Channel-Mode Speed.
fraidcables
12 Posts
0
July 20th, 2018 22:00
What should I do now? I tried Corsair because I already bought the first ones before posting and was waiting for the others to arrive. But if there's a mobo issue I don't want to waste more time and money trying Crucial RAM. It won't boot with the original modules, so how do I know if the mobo is okay?
fireberd
9 Legend
•
33.4K Posts
0
July 21st, 2018 03:00
Put the original Dell memory back in the PC. Reset the CMOS memory and see if this helps. If not, the motherboard could be damaged. To reset the CMOS memory, with the PC powered off, remove the CR2032 coin cell battery on the motherboard for at least 10 minutes. Reinstall, observing polarity, and power on.
If it still will not boot, chance are the motherboard was damaged. Depending on what you did, installing the extra memory, if you did not ground yourself first or use a "grounding wrist strap" (best option) you may have damaged something on the motherboard (or memory) with static electricity.
fraidcables
12 Posts
0
July 21st, 2018 22:00
I tried that, but no luck. Does Dell still make this motherboard for a replacement? It might just be more cost effective to buy a new pc. This one is 4 years old. I was hoping it would last longer, but replacing the motherboard on a 4 year old pc probably isn't worth it.
fireberd
9 Legend
•
33.4K Posts
0
July 22nd, 2018 03:00
Your call on whether to upgrade to new PC or fix it. It has an older (4th gen Intel CPU). I found refurbished boards for $169 at newegg.com but that seems high. https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=1HD-0021-00016
The system I built a year and a half ago has an ASUS ROG (gamer) motherboard and it didn't cost that much new.
I replace my desktop about every 4 years, but I use mine for my audio recording studio.