Core i7 PC won't boot with 8GB OCZ DDR3 PC3-10666

[xscess]

hi guys, this is a first post from a noob. And let me start by saying that I'm not into overclocking or anything, I'm just trying to upgrade the RAM from 6 to 8 GB on a Dell XPS 8100.

After replacing RAM with new 8 GB (4x2GB) OCZ DDR3 PC3-10666 Platinum Low Voltage Dual Channel OCZ3P1333LV4GK (7-7-7 @ 1.65V) PC won't boot eventhough the description say it's for Intel Core i7. (PC boots & runs just fine with original 6GB RAM)

Is there any way to make it work by changing settings in BIOS or something? Many thanks in advance.



system configuration from Speccy:

CPU:
Intel Core i7 860 @ 2.80GHz
Lynnfield 45nm Technology

Motherboard:
Manufacturer: Dell
Model: 0X231R
Chipset Vendor: Intel
Chipset Model: DMI Host Bridge
Chipset Revision: 11
Southbridge Vendor: Intel
Southbridge Model: P55
Southbridge Revision: 05
BIOS:
Brand: Dell
Version: A03

RAM:
Type: DDR3
Size: 6144 MBytes
Channels #: Dual
DRAM Frequency: 532.0 MHz
CAS# Latency (CL): 7 clocks
RAS# to CAS# Delay (tRCD): 7 clocks
RAS# Precharge (tRP): 7 clocks
Cycle Time (tRAS): 20 clocks
Command Rate (CR): 2T
Voltage: 1.500 V

 

[ChippyUK]

At a guess I would say it's possibly the memory voltage causing a problem (1.5 to 1.65).

There possibily is an option to change this in the BIOS...

Also is the RAM settings all set to automatic because if you've set it manually it may fail to detect the new ram...

 

[Mr. Pedantic]

Yeah, try bumping the voltage up to 1.65. If it says it's compatible with Core i7, it should at least run at 1.65.

 

[xscess]

@ ChippyUK & Mr. Pedantic

many thanks for the replies guys but I'm afraid that I don't see any option in BIOS for (a) memory voltage or (b) any kinda RAM settings. is this a common thing or I need some kinda special key combination (instead of F2) to get next level access to make those changes ?

Few BIOS menu pics @ Photobucket (somehow I wasn't able to insert images here):

- BIOS Menu
- CPU Feature
- Adv Chipset Settings
- Power Mgmt

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

How many slots for ram do you have?

I have 4 slots on my intel dx58so board but I can only use 3 of the slots. If any ram goes in the one off colored slot my computer won't boot. It's a x58 board so maybe this is the case with you board as well. Try 6 gb in same slots used for original ram.

A red flag went off as well when I read ocz ram. That is some awful stuff there.

 

[xscess]

How many slots for ram do you have?

I have four slots for RAM and right now there's original 6GB memory in there (2x2GB; 2x1GB).

 

[Mr. Pedantic]

He's got an 860, so it's P55. That means 2 memory channels. Not 3. And besides, the Smackover is a retarded board. That, however, is not to say that the Dell mobo is much better...

many thanks for the replies guys but I'm afraid that I don't see any option in BIOS for (a) memory voltage or (b) any kinda RAM settings. is this a common thing or I need some kinda special key combination (instead of F2) to get next level access to make those changes ?

Can you see anything that allows you to change some (any) numbers? If so, then post them here. Otherwise, it's unlikely the board allows you to overclock.

 

[xscess]

Can you see anything that allows you to change some (any) numbers? If so, then post them here. Otherwise, it's unlikely the board allows you to overclock.

things that I can change are under "CPU feature" and "Adv chipset settings" (have attached pics in earlier post) but there's no option even remotely available with a name memory or RAM. Guess that 8GB will be heading straight to eBay

 

[ChippyUK]

Hmm looks like the options are very limited as the Dell BIOS doesn't allow you to play with memory timings. I think that memory should work, it was designed for the P55 in mind:
http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/memory/ocz_ddr3_pc3_10666_platinum_low_voltage_dual_channel

You could try resetting the CMOS:

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/studio8000/en/SM/sys_setu.htm#wp1005451

Other than that, there is also a possiblity that the memory might be faulty and without trying it in another system it's impossible to be 100% sure.

What actually happens when you turn on the computer? Series of beeps, fans or something else....

 

[xscess]

What actually happens when you turn on the computer? Series of beeps, fans or something else....

After replacing the new OCZ memory PC boots just fine for the first time but freezes pretty soon and then it won't boot at all, it just keeps rebooting or sometime stays black (blank) after bios screen. I think I remember correctly but not sure as I tried this 4/5 times few weeks ago and haven't tried since.

Guess I should've gone into details like voltage etc when I bought the memory, the lesson I've learned now.