Mixing DDR3 with DDR3L is causing my new laptop to fail POST

[Lumia925]

Got this computer about a week back. It came with 4GB of DDR3L 1600MHz RAM.
A quick search in Tom's indicated DDR3 is compatible with DDR3L (mixing is allowed).
Had a 4GB DDR3 1333MHz stick lying around- I opened up the computer, installed it and powered it up. The computer flashed the "DELL" logo, then started beeping loudly (3 beeps, brief pause, 3 beeps, brief pause...), and showed a message "Memory error, press F2 to enter setup".

On pressing F2 it took me to the BIOS screen saying: DIMM-A :4GB DDR3L 1600MHz, DIMM-B: NOT INSTALLED, TOTAL MEMORY: 0.00MB.

I quickly turned it off, opened the service door, removed the DDR3 module (and I see a label: "DDR3L ONLY" written in the memory slot, didn't see it while installing).

Powered the computer back on, entered setup again, and this time it's showing 4GB in stol 1, slot 2 not installed, total: 4GB. In BIOS event log, i see a message "NO MEMORY WAS DETECTED IN LAST BOOT".

M scared now, is it possible that I've caused damage to DIMM-B slot by installing a wrong memory module? Why didn't it work? Is it because of mixing DDR3 with DDR3L? Or is it because of mixing 1600MHz with 1333MHz?

 

[genthug]

MHz difference doesn't matter, but I would think it's due to the fact that DDR3L runs at almost .2V under DDR3. Might not seem like much of a difference, but that can equate to a very large power difference. In a standard PC, you'll be able to enter BIOS and change your RAM voltage. I'm not sure about laptops, but you're laptop telling you to piss off when you did that makes me think that you can't, unfortunately. I don't think that you'd have damaged the second DIMM slot, and if you're that worried about it, take out DIMM 1 and put it in DIMM 2.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

http://wccftech.com/skylake-does-not-support-ddr3-damage-ddr3l-only/
Intel Skylake processors can be damaged by using DDR3 memory for a prolonged period

 

[SteelCity1981]

highly unlikely you damaged anything. installing ddr3 in a ddr3l rated slot could pose a risk in damaging your cpus memory controller in the long term if the cpus memory controller is only rated for 1.35v though but we are talking months if not years of doing that. but i highly doubt you caused any damage because if you did your pc wouldnt post when you restarted your pc due to the cpus memory controller burning out. if you want peace of mind just swap out the ddr3l in slot a and put it in slot b, if your ram post in that slot then all is good which it more then likely will.

 

[Lumia925]

I was going by THIS thread, but it appears there's something about this computer that's preventing me from mixing the modules even if it is theoretically possible (it worked in the laptop of that thread's creator)..

M glad it didn't work, I'd have damaged the CPU on the long run

Just tried the slot-swap (installed the memory module in slot 2 leaving slot 1 free). The computer boots up fine with this configuration. No beeps. If I manually enter the BIOS, it now says DIMM-A: Not installed DIMM-B: 4GB Total 4GB, and Windows detects the whole 4GB (89.3MB system reserved, 3.9GB available).

Also ran a pre-boot diagnostics (ePSA) test from the BIOS, everything passed.

So I guess I didn't blow anything up.

Thanks guys, I was scared I damaged a new computer within the first month of purchase 😛

 

[Martell1977]

I was going by THIS thread, but it appears there's something about this computer that's preventing me from mixing the modules even if it is theoretically possible (it worked in the laptop of that thread's creator)..

If you read carefully, it says that you can run DDR3L in a DDR3 machine, but there are problems putting DDR3 in a DDR3L machine due to voltages. They are mixable, but not the way you tried. You were putting old tech in a machine with new specs. It's backwards compatible, but not forwards.

 

[Lumia925]

I was going by THIS thread, but it appears there's something about this computer that's preventing me from mixing the modules even if it is theoretically possible (it worked in the laptop of that thread's creator)..

If you read carefully, it says that you can run DDR3L in a DDR3 machine, but there are problems putting DDR3 in a DDR3L machine due to voltages. They are mixable, but not the way you tried. You were putting old tech in a machine with new specs. It's backwards compatible, but not forwards.

Wasn't the OP in that thread doing the same? He too was installing a DDR3 module on a DDR3L laptop, and it worked in his case.. Anyway, m not gonna risk a CPU damage by saving a few bucks re-using an old module. I'll live with the 4GB till another 4GB DDR3L 1600MHz module is delivered to my address (already ordered online)

 

[Martell1977]

Wasn't the OP in that thread doing the same? He too was installing a DDR3 module on a DDR3L laptop, and it worked in his case.. Anyway, m not gonna risk a CPU damage by saving a few bucks re-using an old module. I'll live with the 4GB till another 4GB DDR3L 1600MHz module is delivered to my address (already ordered online)

Yes, but it turns out his was compatible with both. But the replies explain why it wont always work. Glad to hear your not going to risk it, it's really not worth it as you noted.

 

[SteelCity1981]

there are some vendors like AsRock that will allow you to use 1.5v ddr3 on thier skylake based motherboards that support ddr3 even though intel has said ddr3l voltage is the max voltage allowed for long term safe operation with skylake cpus. while other vendors won't. it all depends on the vendor, but most namebrand pc's won't as a safety precaution so that there is no risk of the consumer damaging their pc's in the future.

 

[TJ Hooker]

What CPU does the laptop have?

 

[Lumia925]

What CPU does the laptop have?

It's an i5-6200U