Dell Precision 3440 RAM upgrade

[brycehazen]

I've been wanting a home server and found a Dell Precision 3440 for only $150, what a steal. So, I bought some RAM but I can't get the Dell to post. It gives 2 amber followed by 4 white blinks, indicating the issue is with the RAM. I thought I was pretty careful in following the specs for the RAM. I know Crucial's website has some listings for what is compatible, but I wanted more memory than what was listed on their website, especially for ECC RAM since it's a server. I can Google my way through 98% of issues, but I'm at a loss as to what I'm missing. Maybe I bought the wrong RAM, fine, but what did I miss when looking at the specs? Any help or guidance would be wonderful, thank you.

 

What I have tried:

• Combination of RAM sticks, alone, in pairs and all sorts of combination. 
• Clearing CMOS inbetween RAM insertions
• Updated the bios to the most updated version.
• Looked at BIOS settings, but Dells seem to be lack luster.
• Put two sticks into my daily driver, posted fine.
• Downloading more RAM.

Here is my current dell workstation.

• Precision 3440 SSF
• Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-10500 CPU @ 3.10GHz (12 CPUs), ~3.1GHz
• BIOS: Precision 3440 SFF v1.24.1

 

Other Info:

• RAM Pre-installed: Hynix 8 GB PC4-3200 DDR4-25600Hmz UDIMM HMA81GU6DJR8N-XN Non-ECC Desktop Memory 1.2V 288pin- Works fine.
• My first time working with a Dell

RAM I purchased:

• 64Gb (4x16Gb) HYNIX 2666MHz PC4-2666V ECC Reg DDR4 RAM Kit HMA82GR7AFR8N-VK

 

Dell RAM specs for the 3440 SFF:

Description		Values
Slots		4 DIMM slots
Type		DDR4
Speed		2666 MHz for Intel Core i3/i5/Xeon W-1250 processors, 2933 MHz for Intel Core i7/i9/Xeon W-1270/W-1290 processors
Maximum memory		128 GB
Minimum memory		4 GB
Memory size per slot		4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB
Configurations supported		4 GB, 1 x 4 GB, DDR4, 2666 MHz for Intel Core i3/i5/Xeon W-1250 processors, 2933 MHz for Intel Core i7/i9/Xeon W-1270/W-1290 processors 8 GB, 2 x 4 GB, DDR4, 2666 MHz for Intel Core i3/i5/Xeon W-1250 processors, 2933 MHz for Intel Core i7/i9/Xeon W-1270/W-1290 processors 8 GB, 1 x 8 GB, DDR4, 2666 MHz for Intel Core i3/i5/Xeon W-1250 processors, 2933 MHz for Intel Core i7/i9/Xeon W-1270/W-1290 processors 16 GB, 2 x 8 GB, DDR4, 2666 MHz for Intel Core i3/i5/Xeon W-1250 processors, 2933 MHz for Intel Core i7/i9/Xeon W-1270/W-1290 processors 32 GB, 4 x 8 GB, DDR4, 2666 MHz for Intel Core i3/i5/Xeon W-1250 processors, 2933 MHz for Intel Core i7/i9/Xeon W-1270/W-1290 processors 32 GB, 2 x 16 GB, DDR4, 2666 MHz for Intel Core i3/i5/Xeon W-1250 processors, 2933 MHz for Intel Core i7/i9/Xeon W-1270/W-1290 processors What I thought I bought in spec for:  64 GB, 4 x 16 GB, DDR4, 2666 MHz for Intel Core i3/i5/Xeon W-1250 processors, 2933 MHz for Intel Core i7/i9/Xeon W-1270/W-1290 processors 128 GB, 4 x 32 GB, DDR4, 2666 MHz for Intel Core i3/i5/Xeon W-1250 processors, 2933 MHz for Intel Core i7/i9/Xeon W-1270/W-1290 processors

 

[kirashi]

1 hour ago, brycehazen said:

I've been wanting a home server and found a Dell Precision 3440 for only $150, what a steal. So, I bought some RAM but I can't get the Dell to post. It gives 2 amber followed by 4 white blinks, indicating the issue is with the RAM. I thought I was pretty careful in following the specs for the RAM. I know Crucial's website has some listings for what is compatible, but I wanted more memory than what was listed on their website, especially for ECC RAM since it's a server. I can Google my way through 98% of issues, but I'm at a loss as to what I'm missing. Maybe I bought the wrong RAM, fine, but what did I miss when looking at the specs? Any help or guidance would be wonderful, thank you.

 

What I have tried:

• Combination of RAM sticks, alone, in pairs and all sorts of combination. 
• Clearing CMOS inbetween RAM insertions
• Updated the bios to the most updated version.
• Looked at BIOS settings, but Dells seem to be lack luster.
• Put two sticks into my daily driver, posted fine.
• Downloading more RAM.

Here is my current dell workstation.

• Precision 3440 SSF
• Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-10500 CPU @ 3.10GHz (12 CPUs), ~3.1GHz
• BIOS: Precision 3440 SFF v1.24.1

 

Other Info:

• RAM Pre-installed: Hynix 8 GB PC4-3200 DDR4-25600Hmz UDIMM HMA81GU6DJR8N-XN Non-ECC Desktop Memory 1.2V 288pin- Works fine.
• My first time working with a Dell

RAM I purchased:

• 64Gb (4x16Gb) HYNIX 2666MHz PC4-2666V ECC Reg DDR4 RAM Kit HMA82GR7AFR8N-VK

 

Dell RAM specs for the 3440 SFF:

Description		Values
Slots		4 DIMM slots
Type		DDR4
Speed		2666 MHz for Intel Core i3/i5/Xeon W-1250 processors, 2933 MHz for Intel Core i7/i9/Xeon W-1270/W-1290 processors
Maximum memory		128 GB
Minimum memory		4 GB
Memory size per slot		4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB
Configurations supported		4 GB, 1 x 4 GB, DDR4, 2666 MHz for Intel Core i3/i5/Xeon W-1250 processors, 2933 MHz for Intel Core i7/i9/Xeon W-1270/W-1290 processors 8 GB, 2 x 4 GB, DDR4, 2666 MHz for Intel Core i3/i5/Xeon W-1250 processors, 2933 MHz for Intel Core i7/i9/Xeon W-1270/W-1290 processors 8 GB, 1 x 8 GB, DDR4, 2666 MHz for Intel Core i3/i5/Xeon W-1250 processors, 2933 MHz for Intel Core i7/i9/Xeon W-1270/W-1290 processors 16 GB, 2 x 8 GB, DDR4, 2666 MHz for Intel Core i3/i5/Xeon W-1250 processors, 2933 MHz for Intel Core i7/i9/Xeon W-1270/W-1290 processors 32 GB, 4 x 8 GB, DDR4, 2666 MHz for Intel Core i3/i5/Xeon W-1250 processors, 2933 MHz for Intel Core i7/i9/Xeon W-1270/W-1290 processors 32 GB, 2 x 16 GB, DDR4, 2666 MHz for Intel Core i3/i5/Xeon W-1250 processors, 2933 MHz for Intel Core i7/i9/Xeon W-1270/W-1290 processors What I thought I bought in spec for:  64 GB, 4 x 16 GB, DDR4, 2666 MHz for Intel Core i3/i5/Xeon W-1250 processors, 2933 MHz for Intel Core i7/i9/Xeon W-1270/W-1290 processors 128 GB, 4 x 32 GB, DDR4, 2666 MHz for Intel Core i3/i5/Xeon W-1250 processors, 2933 MHz for Intel Core i7/i9/Xeon W-1270/W-1290 processors

 

According to Kingston's memory finder... https://www.kingston.com/en/memory/search/model/101655/dell-alienware-precision-3440-sff

Quote

Xeon W-1200 and Core i3 processors support ECC and non-ECC unbuffered memory. Intel Core i9, i7 and i5 processors require non-ECC UDIMM.

Intel's own website also indicates the i5-10500 processor does not support ECC memory modules.

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/199277/intel-core-i510500-processor-12m-cache-up-to-4-50-ghz/specifications.html

[okkee]

1 hour ago, brycehazen said:

I've been wanting a home server and found a Dell Precision 3440 for only $150, what a steal. So, I bought some RAM but I can't get the Dell to post. It gives 2 amber followed by 4 white blinks, indicating the issue is with the RAM. I thought I was pretty careful in following the specs for the RAM. I know Crucial's website has some listings for what is compatible, but I wanted more memory than what was listed on their website, especially for ECC RAM since it's a server. I can Google my way through 98% of issues, but I'm at a loss as to what I'm missing. Maybe I bought the wrong RAM, fine, but what did I miss when looking at the specs? Any help or guidance would be wonderful, thank you.

 

What I have tried:

• Combination of RAM sticks, alone, in pairs and all sorts of combination. 
• Clearing CMOS inbetween RAM insertions
• Updated the bios to the most updated version.
• Looked at BIOS settings, but Dells seem to be lack luster.
• Put two sticks into my daily driver, posted fine.
• Downloading more RAM.

Here is my current dell workstation.

• Precision 3440 SSF
• Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-10500 CPU @ 3.10GHz (12 CPUs), ~3.1GHz
• BIOS: Precision 3440 SFF v1.24.1

 

Other Info:

• RAM Pre-installed: Hynix 8 GB PC4-3200 DDR4-25600Hmz UDIMM HMA81GU6DJR8N-XN Non-ECC Desktop Memory 1.2V 288pin- Works fine.
• My first time working with a Dell

RAM I purchased:

• 64Gb (4x16Gb) HYNIX 2666MHz PC4-2666V ECC Reg DDR4 RAM Kit HMA82GR7AFR8N-VK

 

Dell RAM specs for the 3440 SFF:

Description		Values
Slots		4 DIMM slots
Type		DDR4
Speed		2666 MHz for Intel Core i3/i5/Xeon W-1250 processors, 2933 MHz for Intel Core i7/i9/Xeon W-1270/W-1290 processors
Maximum memory		128 GB
Minimum memory		4 GB
Memory size per slot		4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB
Configurations supported		4 GB, 1 x 4 GB, DDR4, 2666 MHz for Intel Core i3/i5/Xeon W-1250 processors, 2933 MHz for Intel Core i7/i9/Xeon W-1270/W-1290 processors 8 GB, 2 x 4 GB, DDR4, 2666 MHz for Intel Core i3/i5/Xeon W-1250 processors, 2933 MHz for Intel Core i7/i9/Xeon W-1270/W-1290 processors 8 GB, 1 x 8 GB, DDR4, 2666 MHz for Intel Core i3/i5/Xeon W-1250 processors, 2933 MHz for Intel Core i7/i9/Xeon W-1270/W-1290 processors 16 GB, 2 x 8 GB, DDR4, 2666 MHz for Intel Core i3/i5/Xeon W-1250 processors, 2933 MHz for Intel Core i7/i9/Xeon W-1270/W-1290 processors 32 GB, 4 x 8 GB, DDR4, 2666 MHz for Intel Core i3/i5/Xeon W-1250 processors, 2933 MHz for Intel Core i7/i9/Xeon W-1270/W-1290 processors 32 GB, 2 x 16 GB, DDR4, 2666 MHz for Intel Core i3/i5/Xeon W-1250 processors, 2933 MHz for Intel Core i7/i9/Xeon W-1270/W-1290 processors What I thought I bought in spec for:  64 GB, 4 x 16 GB, DDR4, 2666 MHz for Intel Core i3/i5/Xeon W-1250 processors, 2933 MHz for Intel Core i7/i9/Xeon W-1270/W-1290 processors 128 GB, 4 x 32 GB, DDR4, 2666 MHz for Intel Core i3/i5/Xeon W-1250 processors, 2933 MHz for Intel Core i7/i9/Xeon W-1270/W-1290 processors

 

like @kirashi said, there's probably a reason the pre-installed memory was non-ecc. that would be my guess.

[brycehazen]

2 hours ago, okkee said:

like @kirashi said, there's probably a reason the pre-installed memory was non-ecc. that would be my guess.

@kirashi

 

I thought something similar but crucial has ECC RAM listed as compatible upgrade. Is it the higher clock speed + ECC that is needed you think?

[okkee]

3 minutes ago, brycehazen said:

@kirashi

 

I thought something similar but crucial has ECC RAM listed as compatible upgrade. Is it the higher clock speed + ECC that is needed you think?

the problem is that the i5-10500 does not support ECC memory but the Xeons support ECC memory. So the crucial upgrade is based on the supported processors list which has both ecc and non-ecc. So either get a supported Xeon (not so sure how that will go) or just get non-ecc memory. 

[Needfuldoer]

7 hours ago, brycehazen said:

64Gb (4x16Gb) HYNIX 2666MHz PC4-2666V ECC Reg DDR4 RAM Kit HMA82GR7AFR8N-VK

Registered/Buffered ECC won't work with your platform even with a Xeon, and your i5 doesn't support ECC at all.

 

Generally if you want to use buffered ECC RAM you need a full-fat server platform (Xeon E5 or E7, Xeon Scalable, Epyc), not the ones that share a socket with regular desktop processors. Some i3s and many AM4 Ryzen CPUs support unbuffered ECC, but that tends to be more expensive than registered ECC on the secondhand market because registered memory out of decommissioned rack servers floods the market.

[brycehazen]

Thank you all, I really appreciate it..

 

I picked the 10th Gen for encoding while running a plex sever. Is there a processor  I can put in it that will support ecc and can handle encoding?

 

I'm not too worried about price. Can you recommend a processor that isnt too over kill? Is it worth putting it into the Dell?

[kirashi]

10 hours ago, brycehazen said:

Thank you all, I really appreciate it.. I picked the 10th Gen for encoding while running a plex sever. Is there a processor  I can put in it that will support ecc and can handle encoding?

Yup - see the quote about Xeon and i3 processors supporting ECC memory in my previous post, and see page 14 of Dell's official Setup & Specifications Guide PDF for details on all processors supported in the Precision 3440 system

https://dl.dell.com/content/manual25974437-precision-3440-small-form-factor-setup-and-specifications-guide.pdf?language=en-us