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March 20th, 2025 17:07
XPS 15 9550 RAM upgrade issues
I decided to resurrect my old XPS with some upgrades (RAM, M.2 SSD, and battery).
I created a bootable media (Linux) and had no issue installing the OS on to the new SSD. However, when I tried to boot up with the new RAM kit (Crucial DDR4 - 3200 2x16GB SODIMM), the laptop blinks 2 white and 2 amber lights.
The funny thing is, when I boot up with the old memory with one new memory stick, it boots up. Just to make sure that one stick is faulty, I tried this with the other one as well. In addition, I tried it on both slots.
Any ideas what could be causing this issue?
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ejn63
10 Elder
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28.6K Posts
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March 20th, 2025 17:32
Sounds like a timing issue -- that RAM is far faster than the system needs. With the original RAM installed, the speed of the memory is correctly negotiated, but without it it is not. Interestingly, the only RAM Crucial has that's certified for the system is DDR4-2400 -- a hint that it knows faster RAM doesn't work.
https://www.crucial.com/compatible-upgrade-for/dell/xps-15-(9550)#memory
Techgee
2 Intern
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623 Posts
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March 20th, 2025 20:41
I'm running 2x32GB (two Samsung M471A4G43MB1-CTD DDR4 SODIMMs) in my Dell XPS 15 9550.
Crucial doesn't list ANY compatible 16 GB SODIMM memory for the Dell XPS 15 9550. I'd return it.
Memory uses JEDEC SPD tables to list supported timings. My Samsung's are 2666 and run at that speed according to HWiNFO, but SPD table goes down as low as 1333. Buying faster memory usually isn't an issue since it will step down to a slower timing. However, SODIMM internal memory organization (ranking and all that) matters - unfortunately that info is often hard to obtain. I believe the Dell XPS 15 9550 was particular about it, but I don't recall the details.
There are a number of Dell XPS 15 9550 benchmarks on userbenchmark.com running Corsair Vengeance 2x16GB SODIMMs. Corsair's site shows several for the Dell XPS 15 9550 when "Find by Compatibility" is used. It appears at the current time that the single package 16 GB stick (3200 MHz, CMSX16GX4M1A3200C22) is a better value than any of their 2x16 GB packages. Note Corsair states 3200 MHz compatible memory is tested at 2400 MHz (up to CL16). So, it should be fine.