Have been modding my "new" Optiplex 9020. When I opened up the case I noticed that the two ram modules were in slots 4 and 2 which seemed odd to me. The slots are labeled 3,1,4,2 starting closest to the CPU. The slots There 3,4 are black and 4,2 are white. When I checked with CPUZ it reported 16GB PC1333 memory which is correct but in single channel mode. I've tried 1,2 and 3,4 and it will not post. Single stick in 4 posts ok. I'm thinking bad memory slots?
Question Dell Optiplex 9020 which ram slots for 2 modules?
- Thread starter jamesdsimone
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Brainonska511
Lifer
- Dec 10, 2005
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What does CPU-Z say in this section, because that's where it would generally show you whether you have something in dual-channel or single channel? Older versions sometimes explicitly say "dual channel"; sometimes it'll just say 2 x 64-bit.
From the service manual, it also suggests installing memory starting with the first socket (whichever one that is - it's rather ambiguous). Granted, memory is often installed "every other slot" to get dual channel, but that doesn't mean every board is configured that way. Anyway, start with the bootable configuration "default" configuration and check CPU-Z again.
From the service manual, it also suggests installing memory starting with the first socket (whichever one that is - it's rather ambiguous). Granted, memory is often installed "every other slot" to get dual channel, but that doesn't mean every board is configured that way. Anyway, start with the bootable configuration "default" configuration and check CPU-Z again.
I've done a few searches and it is very unclear. The "first" slot closest to the CPU is labled 3. I've looked at few videos and the modules are usually installed in every other slots. What version of CPUZ is that because mine does not look like that. Mine says single in the channel box. I'll have to look again. Speccy reports single channel as well.
Brainonska511
Lifer
- Dec 10, 2005
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I would try running them in slots 1 and 3 and see what happens.
I forget what version of CPU-Z I have, but it's from within the last year.
I forget what version of CPU-Z I have, but it's from within the last year.
I've tried a few combinations but I'll try again. So far 2,4 is the only combination that posts.
Should be user manual and maintenance and service guide on dell support website, discussing DIMM population rules.
Brainonska511
Lifer
- Dec 10, 2005
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That's what I was basing my own advice on. Of course, the service manual is rather ambiguous regarding slot population rules:
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Already saw the Dell Owner's Manual. You tell me what it means. It's useless. Dell is difficult on purpose because nobody but an idiot writing a manual could possibly look at this and think it gives any useful information. Next budget gaming computer maybe I'll use an HP?
Did some swapping ram slots labeled from left to right 3,1,4,2. 4,2 posts and 2 by itself works. Looks like 3,1 pair is faulty any combination that uses one of those slots doesn't post. Beep code 1-3-2 is problem "DIMMs not being properly identified or used". All 16 GB show up when they are in 4,2 so modules are ok.
I haven't but as far as I can tell the ram is the original oem ram that came with the system. Either way this is something the vendor should have done before shipping the computer.
Well they *should*, but most resellers of older refurbs, off-lease equipment do not touch firmware. It's a real exception when I get one. Some low-volume resellers (i.e. one man operations) might do so but resellers that do some volume usually don't.
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As far as I am concerned they are obligated to deliver the system to factor specs and they didn't. They shouldn't have had to do anything. I assume Dell delivered it new functioning to specs. Already sent a polite message to the vendor calling them idiots.
- Aug 22, 2001
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The decade old ThinkStation and other Xeon workstations are going for under $150 now. Better drop in upgrade Xeons are under $50 now as well. If that Optiplex is nerfed I'd send it back and maybe consider those for the project. You get an Skylake i7 equivalent and DDR4 -
for example: ThinkStation on Ebay
for example: ThinkStation on Ebay
I'm looking at Xeon work stations right now. Found one with an E5-2695v2. It might take some tweaking to get it running as a desktop but that CPU is nice. It's not worth my trouble to return the Optiplex. I'm going to request a new MB. Optiplex 9020 MT MB's are only 20 bucks on ebay but that's not the point, they should at least replace it.
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Seller should go for it; cheaper to send out the board than pay the shipping for the return and maybe lose the sale.
Ivy Bridge at 3.2GHz boost won't do too well if the system will be primarily for modern gaming. I hope it's dirt cheap.
They are sending a replacement MB. Found this Youtube video. Looks like this E5-2670 handles gaming pretty well and the E5-2695 should be faster or at least as fast. 150USD delivered with 32GB memory and an upgraded power supply.
There can't be more than $20 difference between Ivy Bridge and Haswell refurbs right now. And another $20 from Haswell to Skylake refurbs.
I've been scouring ebay and amazon for gaming PC projects. I picked up the Dell from this thread so one Haswell. I payed 200USD which is probably a little too much but it has an i7-4790/16GB PC1333 ram and a 1 TB SSD and a licensed copy of Windows 10. I already had the PS to upgrade it. And now I know how to mod a Dell MT. Once I get the replacement MB I'll get it up and running with a video card. I got an HP Z240 with an i7-6700/32GB ram and a 256GB SSD/1TB hard drive 135USD delivered so got a Skylake too. I'll need to upgrade the PS and add a video card to that. I ended up getting the Ivy Bridge E5-2695v2 server 160USD delivered. 32GB ram and the board looks nice, 6 SATA, 2 PCIE 16.0 and even a PCI slot for a sound card. It comes with a Corsair CX750M which is 90USD new so a pretty good value I think. It will be a fun 12/24 CPU to play with.
- Aug 22, 2001
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That kills my counter argument. Because that's what it's all about right there, having fun.
The lack of AVX2 instructions is probably the biggest drawback on those old Xeons.
I'm sure I won't even notice that. I'm not going to be playing 2024 top end titles. It was originally designed to run Win7. It has Linux installed at the moment. The whole system cost the same as a new i5-12400. I need to add some hard drive space but I have a few laying around.
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- Sep 13, 2008
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I know what sloppy work first shipping a board they knew for a fact was bad and then send the wrong replacement. I thought about asking them to make sure the board was the correct board since the 9020 has 3 form factors but I assumed they knew what they were doing. Guess not. I messaged them.
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