Alienware M11x + F3-10666CL9D-8GBSQ

[cjjreed]

Alienware M11x R2 with Core i7 640UM 1.2GHz (overclockable to 2.266GHz), Factory w/ 4GB RAM

The problem is that when I upgraded to the G.Skill 8GB kit (F3-10666CL9D-8GBSQ), I can no longer overclock from the 1.2 to 2.266 via the BIOS. I tested each module individually. They are stable at 1.2 but as soon as I start to increase the bus speed the system starts to SLOW DOWN and eventually blue screens. This occurs with each module individually as well as both in together.

I wanted to cover my bases before I sent them in for RMA. Stock RAM works fine at all bus speeds, from 1.2GHz to 2.266GHz CPU clock. I've heard great things about G.Skill so I want to use their memory.

Please help!

Chris

[cjjreed]

Update

Okay, I updated my BIOS from A03 to A04 but unfortunately I'm running into the same issues.

Computer will boot with G.Skill RAM installed, but will either blue screen or the fan will go full speed and the computer will beep 4 times.

I will be looking up the beep code here in a bit, but I'm pretty sure it's RAM related.

Awaiting response from G.Skill in this thread for some insight into the problem.

[GSKILL TECH]

You have to raise voltages, it takes more to overclock 4GB modules.

Thank you
GSKILL TECH

[cjjreed]

Overclocking RAM

From what I understand, the m11x is not overclocking the RAM, it is just raising the speed of the processor? Here is my current CPUID information using the stock RAM with is DDR3 1333MHz.

Memory SPD
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

DIMM # 1
SMBus address 0x50
Memory type DDR3
Module format SO-DIMM
Manufacturer (ID) Samsung (CE00000000000000)
Size 2048 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC3-10700 (667 MHz)
Nominal Voltage 1.50 Volts
JEDEC timings table CL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS-tRC @ frequency
JEDEC #1 5.0-5-5-14-19 @ 380 MHz
JEDEC #2 6.0-6-6-17-23 @ 457 MHz
JEDEC #3 7.0-7-7-20-27 @ 533 MHz
JEDEC #4 8.0-8-8-22-30 @ 609 MHz
JEDEC #5 9.0-9-9-25-34 @ 685 MHz

DIMM # 2
SMBus address 0x52
Memory type DDR3
Module format SO-DIMM
Manufacturer (ID) Samsung (CE00000000000000)
Size 2048 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC3-10700 (667 MHz)
Nominal Voltage 1.50 Volts
JEDEC timings table CL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS-tRC @ frequency
JEDEC #1 5.0-5-5-14-19 @ 380 MHz
JEDEC #2 6.0-6-6-17-23 @ 457 MHz
JEDEC #3 7.0-7-7-20-27 @ 533 MHz
JEDEC #4 8.0-8-8-22-30 @ 609 MHz
JEDEC #5 9.0-9-9-25-34 @ 685 MHz

It sounds like you're telling me that the stock RAM runs better than the G.Skill RAM I bought? Please help me understand this. I should not have any problems running the RAM out of the box, since the system is set up to adjust accordingly.

[Tradesman]

The DRAM itself as well as the MC may need extra voltage to run 8GB at full potential as opposed to the 4 GB you had in there

[cjjreed]

Still confused

I guess I'm not understanding why my computer keeps blue screening when I'm not actually trying to run anything past its original specifications.

I'll RMA the RAM and go from there.

Thank you everyone for your *cough* help.

[Tradesman]

You need to apply more voltage to the DRAM and/or the MC, you are going from 4 to 8GB of DRAM, it will slow if the sticks don't have enough voltage to keep them running. Could you post your BIOS settings, if these are defaulting to 800 or 1066 there will be all kinds of problems, such as you are experiencing