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August 19th, 2025 01:31
Aurora R12, cannot have dual ram with 4x8GB sticks?
Hi, I got a R12 with original Kingston 8g sticks on DIMM 2 and 4 (16G memory by default). Recently I bought 2pks of PNY XLR8 DDR4 3200Mhz 8g sticks and wish to expand the RAM to 32G.
But, it seems like the system just cannot recognize it when I put all 4 in there. No matter if I use the original ones or PNY ones in DIMM 1 and 3, or 2 and 4, they all work. Or I put three of them in DIMM 2 and 3 and 4, it works as well.But, if I put them in DIMM 1, 2 and 3, the system won't boot and will just be black screen all the time (cannot even load the alienware logo). I went to the task manager and it said 2 of 4 slots used, Form factor DIMM. I also went to the BIOS settings and there is just no settings for enabling dual channel ram, only XMP1 and 2, and neither of them works (black screen, cannot boot).
The supportive file does not really help, it did not say 4x8gb setup will work, but in this case why 3x8gb in slot 2,3,4 works in my experiment?
Can anybody help me with that or does anybody have any ideas on how to fix this?
bradthetechnut
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August 19th, 2025 03:29
Some Dell's, and PC's in general, are finicky about 2 different brands of RAM being installed. I know that doesn't explain why 3x8GB works.
I'd try all the same brand RAM and see what it does. Try to avoid KVR (Kingston Value RAM). It's been hit or miss in Dell's.
If not already, download CPU-Z. If you Google it, download it from Tech PowerUp. Other sites go in circles trying to get a person to download other stuff instead.
You'll likely find 3 sticks of RAM still works in dual-channel mode. Not that it's your preference; just letting you know.
First test the 3v size 2032 CMOS battery. Replace if low. Then try your RAM configuration again.
tintwhui
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August 19th, 2025 03:41
@bradthetechnut I appreciate your help! Yes I did download the CPU-Z and it shows the system is in dual-channel mode when I got 2 inserted at slots 2 and 4 (both black in color). I will give it a try tomoriow with 3 inserted at 2, 3, 4 and see how it recognizes it. Do you think it just won't work if I use 4x8g sticks with 2 brands? If that is the case I may have to return the new ones I bought and either upgrade the original ones to 2x16g, or just leave it there for now.
(edited)
bradthetechnut
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August 19th, 2025 03:46
"I may have to return the new ones I bought and either upgrade the original ones to 2x16g"
Not a bad idea.
Sarah 0
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August 19th, 2025 14:09
Hello,
That’s interesting. As long as the modules are the same speed and use the same chipset, they should usually work together without any problems. Have you tested each RAM module individually to rule out any faults?
I had a similar issue recently caused by a faulty module. I ended up using OFFTEK’s online configurator to find a compatible upgrade, and it’s been running smoothly ever since.
Kind regards
tintwhui
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August 19th, 2025 17:30
@Sarah 0 Hi, yes and actually when I only inserted the two I just bought, the system can boot successfuly.
Tesla1856
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August 25th, 2025 00:40
4x 8gb DIMMs has always been a problem on various Release-year Auroras (like Aurora-R5 and newer ... and ones that look like it).
Not sure why. Not sure why Dell never asked Pegatron ODM to fix it.
Just go back to an exactly matched DIMM pair in the proper 2 slots (that should equal a fully populated DDR Memory-Bank in Dual-Channel).
bradthetechnut
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August 25th, 2025 03:23
@tintwhui "First test the 3v size 2032 CMOS battery. Replace if low. Then try your RAM configuration again." Bad batteries affect BIOS and PC operation. The Aurora R12 was released in 2021, and 2032 batteries last around 5 years. That's why I mentioned test or replace. May be it's going bad, may be it's not.
If you can still only use 2 DIMMs, then you know for sure it's the model.