Precision 3620 RAM speed vs. CPU

Thanks Chino.

My Optiplex 7010 can run 12GB RAM, which is outside of spec.  As per specs., the 7010 and Precision 3620 can run 8GB or 16GB, not 12GB.  Can the 3620 still run 12GB RAM (3x4GB)?

And no, I'm not transferring RAM as they are 2 different types.

Your thread was concerning the RAM speed.  The memory speed specifications for Precision 3620 is limited to 2400 MHz.  The specs is locked in microcode and limited by BIOS firmware.  Users can install higher speed memory but I have not seen any memory configurations could run out of specs, at higher speed than 2400 MHz.

Your comparison to the 7010 which can run 8GB, 16GB or 12GB is totally different thing.  They are memory capacity, not speed.  Dell could not lock a specific DIMM to one capacity, hence the chart for tested and validated capacity would show different capacity module being validated.  While Dell machine will not work with every memory stick out there, outside of Dell validated configurations and capacity have been known to work. 

One would want to upgrade with higher and hoping that the system will work with more.  You are, on the other hand, curiously want to know if you can downgrade to lower, and making the system working with less!!!

I would throwing out all the 8 GB module to make room for 16 GB module to each DIMM in an upgrade.  But I haven't try installing 4 GB module(s), so I don't really know.  If it works with one, it will work with three.  

"Your thread was concerning the RAM speed."  Didn't think I needed to start a new thread for the same 3620.

"One would want to upgrade with higher and hoping that the system will work with more. You are, on the other hand, curiously want to know if you can downgrade to lower, and making the system working with less!!!"  I never specified the amount of RAM it currently has, which is 8GB.

And no, I'm not downgrading.  Not sure what gave that impression.

No, you do not need to start a new thread.  My statement was to clarify that memory speed and memory capacity are not the same thing.  Because my previous post had mentioned Dell specs, and your following post still talked about specs but subject was changed to capacity.  I just wanted to clarify that my post was for memory speed only.  Not so sure it was implied to limit your topic of discussion but I will stop as it's not constructive input.

About the upgrade, downgrade, when you mentioned the Precision 3620 specs can run 8 GB or 16 GB but not 12 GB.  Can the 3620 still run 12GB RAM (3x4GB)?  I think you have a different understanding about capacity specs than I do.  So I tried with a little humorous way to push you to test and find out for yourself.  But I guess that I should being frank and pointing out the error instead.

The actual specifications for memory in 3620 tower is:  4 GB, 8 GB, and 16 GB.  Meaning, you can use a memory module of 4 GB, or 8 GB, or 16 GB.  The maximum combination is 64 GB.  So, when you lumped a 12 GB (4 x 3) configuration to the module specs, I think you are confused that each of those were a configuration of total capacity (8GB or 16GB, not 12GB).

There are 4 DIMM slots on the motherboard.  Users who want to upgrade to maximum capacity would want to use 16 GB modules to achieve 16 GB x 4 =  64 GB.  For anyone who wants to use the 4 GB module to achieve total of 4 GB, 8 GB, 12 GB, or 16 GB, it will work with those configurations too.

The way I look at memory, upgrade means you can maximize all 4 DIMM slots to achieve highest possible capacity.  Downgrade means staying with the minimum allowable while using up all available DIMM slots.  Either ways, they are not good or bad if the configuration is working as intended for its user.

I saw that you have a unit on the way and are preparing for it.  Seeing your contribution to this community, there is no doubt that you already have the knowledge and skill set to get the system up and running the way you want it.  This thread is seemingly to confirm certain information you are not certain on and I thought to give it a little help with my input but I think I couldn't provide solution to this thread as simple as I thought.

Remember how I mentioned the 3620 has 8GB total RAM?  Thing is I can get a deal on 12GB worth of RAM, and all the sticks would be the same, capacities not mixed.

With the correct type of memory, 4 GB x 3 configuration should work.

It doesn't hurt to mix the original 8 GB module with x3 new modules to get total of 20 GB.

You already know the drill, a CMOS reset sometimes is needed to help the system to recognize new memory configuration.

It likely has 2133Mhz RAM due to it having i5-6500.  It's 2400Mhz RAM I'd be getting; and we know I won't be mixing it.

Hi @Chino de Oro ,

I marked your post as a solution because 2133Mhz does work with 7th Gen.  So I just added one stick for my preference of 12GB RAM.

The 3620, is configured and whips as follows:

• I5-7500
• 12GB RAM 2133Mhz  (2133 Mhz is what it came with.)  (Hynix and A-Tech)
• 250GB WD VelociRaptor 10,000 RPM boot drive
• 250GB SSD boot drive
• 2x 250GB WD Blue external storage
• 1 external DVD drive

Glad that everything works out for you.  

Thanks @Chino de Oro .

But not everything went smooth.  Win10 22H2 on SSD has a windows disappearing trick.  If a few windows are open, after a while, they start disappearing.  When desktop disappears, background is black.  Then wait for it...wait for it...comes BSOD with "Critical process died" in tiny print.  Everything, and I mean everything, is updated, especially drivers.  I might have to reload SSD.

Years ago, when I migrated Win7 HDD from Optiplex 755 MT to 790 DT, Windows didn't go corrupting itself.

With any luck, all it needed was a few restarts (which it did) with its reporting Microsoft.  Not my longest time running it, but it ran good today.

Check the event log to see if it yields any information about the process which caused BSOD.

For hardware, run full diagnostic and scan for memory integrity.