Dell XPS 720 compatibility issue with TWIN2X4096-8500C5DF

i had run into same problem. If enable EPP/SLI in BIOS (DELL XPS 720), the Dominator 4GB PC2-8500 (C5DF) failed Memtest86+ v2.01, mainly couldn't pass test seven [random number sequence]. Tested each stick under EPP/SLI ON, one passed, and the other failed. It also failed in windows memory diagnostics tool "hardware problem was detected..."

So filed RMA to local PC store, just received new replacement kit today...

installed and tested with windows memory diagnostics tool, "No memory error". Unfortunately i got "memory_management" BSOD again... ran with memtest86+, RED FLAGs in test seven [random number sequence] one more time. However, it still passed windows memory diagnostics.

i'm confused...:sigh!:

will run tests under both EPP ON and EPP OFF, and posted picture back...

vvspy, Make sure that you are testing the modules one at a time in the slot closest to the CPU. Let us know your results! Also, are you using this memory in place of the memory that came with the Dell, or are you running them together?

The dominator kit was purchased in local store not come from DELL.

I removed RAM, and tested each in slot 0 (closest to CPU), both passed the memtest86+ v2.01 test {EPP/SLI ON in BIOS}, and thank god this time, the 4G KIT also passed the memtest86+ v2.01 under EPP/SLI ON after swapping and re-sitting the ram sticks.

Attached results. btw, what's Dominator SPD settings from DELL? Same as retail Dominators?

Thank you for all your help, wish u a lovely day!

Now it's acting weird. Yesterday evening the kit passed memtest86+ v2.01, i was surfing and gaming for 3-4 hours, no problem. Turned off PC before bedding.

this morning, powered on, memtest86+ v2.01 was running when booting, so patiently waiting till it was finished.

wow, RED FLAG again in test 7 [random number sequence]... any thoughts???

i had another go today (4G KIT, EPP ON). Passed the first run, then i kept running for a while. it failed the second run in test 7.

anyway, sometimes it could pass for one time, then fail the continuous second run, otherwise it couldn't pass the first run.

Before RMA the corsair dominator 4GB PC2-8500 set, i managed to get my friend's PC for comparision test.

My PC setup:

XPS 720 --> H2C, QX6850, H2C Cooling, 4GB Dominator, 500G, XFX GTX 260, X-FI, DVD-RW, 750W PSU

My friend's PC setup:

Q6600 OC 3.2GHz, 4GB DDR2-800 CL4 EPP (F2-6400CL4D-4GBPK), XFX 780I SLI Mobo, XFX 8800GT XT SLI, X-FI Fatality, 150GB RAPTOR, 500GB WD Green Power, SST ST1000W

view "test PCs.jpg"

1.) put dominator 4G kit into 780I Mobo, set MEM in bios, see "780i bios 1.jpg", and "780i bios 2.jpg"

2.) do memtest86+, pass 3 times with no error. "corsair EPP 1066 780I.jpg"

3.) put Gskill 4GB kit into XPS 720 (EPP/SLI ram ON), check ram voltage and SPD via nvidia control panel and CPU-z v1.47, EPP ON, 2.1V, SPD 4-4-4-12-36-2T 800MHz.

4.) then do memtest86+ for 6 hours, pass 8 times with no error. See "gskill 4G EPP XPS 720.jpg"

5.) put dominator back to XPS 720, do memtest86+, ... ERROR... RED FLAG.

6.) send it back to local store for RMA

Compatibility issue??? hope my third set could finally close my case here.

i'll see how the third set dominator goes, meanwhile, will try get another set 4G diff. brand of PC2-8500 RAM. will post result later about one week time.

So far, the system can handle EPP at 800MHz 4-4-4-12-36-2T (2.1V). I feel the dominator stick is thinner than the G skill stick i tested before. It's a little bit loose, not so tighten as G skill stick in dell system.

received the third set, had tested with memtest86+, straightly pass 4 times, error in 5th times, prime95 fatal error in run.

but the system is much stable now, no BSOD so far in two days. Will talk to dell tech. for possibility to replace the mobo.

i burned the bootable memtest86+ CD, so everything should be in default setting. Due to limitation of dell XPS 720's BIOS (no manual adjustment for MEM), only enable EPP/SLI memory support in BIOS.

Tried abusing the windows vista to get a BSOD, but never happened so far. :p:

anyway, the ram kit is working smoothly. :D:

finally the system is down, same memory_management BSOD... hmm, the mobo must be something wrong with handling PC2-8500 EPP RAMs.

I thank you all the helps here. Wish u a great day!

Prime95 result:

FATAL ERROR: Rounding was 0.49609375, expected less than 0.4

Hardware failure detected, consult stress.txt file.

i heard DELL OEM dominator had different SPD file. My current BIOS is latest A06... No any other updates available now.

I would check with Dell and see if they have a BIOS update available and do the update even if it is the same version and try it again.

cheers, Ram guy!

DELL Tech. approved for mobo replacement next week. The on-site technician will call me later.

After replacing the XPS 720 mobo twice in past two weeks, i still encountered compatibility issue (random reboot, some BSOD) between XPS 720 680i mobo and my 4G (2x2G) dominator (PC2-1066) RAMs (RAMs are in perfect working condition). ***EPP/SLI RAM support enable in BIOS.

After talking with DELL tech support with some error code received, they did some research and emailed me the xps 720 mobo only can support 2G dominator in match pair. However, google with "4G Dominator XPS 720", it looks all XPS 720 equipped with 4G dominator come with 4G (4x1G) quad configuration.

i wonder if corsair has any confirmed information on "Dominator RAM's compatibility in XPS 720 system".

ps, before upgrading to 4G (2x2G) dominator, i use 4G (2x2G) corsair DDR2-800 CL5 DHX, the system was abolutely flawless.

Much appreciated!

If you go to Corsair's site, the compatibility search is on the front page :)

http://www.corsair.com/configurator/corsair_custom.aspx?id=402933

First one listed is TWIN2X4096-8500C5DF.

Any updates on this issue? I found this posting after I purchased 2 TWIN2X4096-8500C5DF kits for a total of 8GB and was blue screening on my XPS 720 with vista 64. Bios is at A06

When running at 1066MHz (EPP/SLI Option on in bios) I can pretty much cause my machine to blue screen on demand (with video & imaging work). When running at 800MHz, It will lock up and I have to power off (hold pw button) and restart. I've ran memtest twice, the first time it failed on pass #5, the second time passed.

The only change was replacing the dell 4x1GB memory modules with the cosair dominators.

You are running with 4 8500C5 modules? When you populate all four DRAM slots it is advised to drop the bandwidth. You have transitioned from 4 X 1024 to 4 X 2048, correct?

Please research this thread:

http://www.houseofhelp.com/v3/showthread.php?t=64360&highlight=Unpredictable+results+QUAD2X4096+Gigabyte+X38-DS5

The issue is the On Motherboard (Nvidia) memory controller and a population of all four banks at the full speed of a two bank run. This issue is across the board with both Nvidia and Intel chipset based boards, DDR, DDR2 and DDR3.

Keep in mind that often issues arise in the longer term. The issues seldom damage the DRAM. They damage the on motherboard memory controller which has a harder time keeping up with the demands of a four DRAM slot population being run as fast as a two DRAM slot population. Those who want to be secure in their system either purchase a single kit of the DRAM capacity that the four singles have or they move to a higher bandwidth DRAM and drop the bandwidth. I also advise it as I have personally seen the issues that can and often do arise with a four DRAM slot population running at the full speed of a single kit speed.

I personally advise for a two stick solution as it is far gentler to the motherboard memory controller.

Yeah, I'm running with 4 8500C5 modules. The original memory I was running was what came stock in my xps 710, 4 X 1GB 2Rx8 PC2 5300 (samsung 667MHz). I upgraded the motherboard in the xps upgrade program. I downgraded to bios A05 and it seemed more stable, until I played a game.

I can't change any settings in bois directly, but if I turn on the performance option in bios it looks like the nvida control panel has a dynamic bios access page which looks like I can adjust settings from there.

I was trying to get a refund on the memory and try the TWIN2X4096-6400C5DHX, but just found out I can only return the memory for the same type from where I purchased them. Also everything I've found says the max is 2GB per slot, so 2 x 4GB won’t work. I'd be ok with 4 X 2GB 5300 to have a stable system with 8GB of ram.