Question What is "Type-C" Memory configuration? (Dell spec)

[gernstsmit]

Hello. Our company bought 3 x Dell Inspiron 15 3520 laptops with Intel i5 1235U CPU's and 8GB of memory. The laptop has 2 x DDR4 memory slots. I purchased a 16GB memory module and installed it into one of these laptops, but the laptop failed to boot. Then I thought, I might have made a mistake, in buying a 16GB model, maybe the laptop did not support 16GB so-dimms. I checked the specsheet of the laptop and came across a term I have never seen mentioned (at least with regard to computer memory). According to the official Dell spec sheet you have two options: a) Install memory with non-type-c configuration then you are limited to 2666 MT/s memory. b) Install memory with type-c configuration, then you can use 3200 MT/s memory. You can check the spec sheet here: https://www.dell.com/support/manual...d2ea83-38a4-431d-803c-96d63c1dbc34&lang=en-us

I don't know what type-c configuration memory is and I tried to Google it with no success. Can anyone explain this terminology? (No USB jokes please, I know what a type-c USB port is 😉)

If you Google "Dell memory type-c configuration" you will find the same term on spec sheets of other Dell laptops. But no other website on the internet (that I can find) talks about type-c configuration.

PS. The spec also says: NOTE:Systems with 11th Generation Intel Core (or Tiger Lake) do not offer Type-C.

Thanks.

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

Hey there,

Nearly all laptops use SO-DIMM memory. I cannot see what 'Type-c' relates to. However, with that said the laptop should be able to take a 16gb DIMM.

Which exact model ram did you buy? Brand and model number.

 

[Lutfij]

Inspiron 15 3520 Setup and Specifications | Dell Deutschland

They are trying to specify that laptops without a Type-C port are non Type-C configuration. So your limiter is the board/config not accepting the ram. You will need to pick out a DDR4-2666Mhz dual channel ram kit or a larger capacity stick of ram of the same frequency, not one that's of higher frequency.

Though out of curiosity, can you pass on images of both sticks of ram? Are you trying to mix and match rams as well?

 

[gernstsmit]

Hey there,

Nearly all laptops use SO-DIMM memory. I cannot see what 'Type-c' relates to. However, with that said the laptop should be able to take a 16gb DIMM.

Which exact model ram did you buy? Brand and model number.

I bought Kingston KF432S20iB/16 memory. https://www.kingston.com/dataSheets/KF432S20IB_16.pdf

Note: I then purchased 2 x 8GB DDR4 2666MHz chips (Kingston KF426S15IBK2/16 ; https://www.kingston.com/datasheets/KF426S15IBK2_16.pdf) This also is incompatible and doesn't boot. However when I installed Samsung memory (Samsung m471a1g44bb0-cwe ; https://semiconductor.samsung.com/dram/module/sodimm/m471a1g44bb0-cwe/) the PC does boot without issue. I had a Dell technition on site, the tech couldn't explain why the Samsung memory works but the Kingston does not. This doesn't bother me alot. I was just curious about the "type-c" spec.

 

[gernstsmit]

Inspiron 15 3520 Setup and Specifications | Dell Deutschland

They are trying to specify that laptops without a Type-C port are non Type-C configuration. So your limiter is the board/config not accepting the ram. You will need to pick out a DDR4-2666Mhz dual channel ram kit or a larger capacity stick of ram of the same frequency, not one that's of higher frequency.

Though out of curiosity, can you pass on images of both sticks of ram? Are you trying to mix and match rams as well?

This actually does make sense, but imo the spec sheet does not explain this clearly.

 

[Bob.B]

Hello. Our company bought 3 x Dell Inspiron 15 3520 laptops with Intel i5 1235U CPU's and 8GB of memory. The laptop has 2 x DDR4 memory slots. I purchased a 16GB memory module and installed it into one of these laptops, but the laptop failed to boot. Then I thought, I might have made a mistake, in buying a 16GB model, maybe the laptop did not support 16GB so-dimms. I checked the specsheet of the laptop and came across a term I have never seen mentioned (at least with regard to computer memory). According to the official Dell spec sheet you have two options: a) Install memory with non-type-c configuration then you are limited to 2666 MT/s memory. b) Install memory with type-c configuration, then you can use 3200 MT/s memory. You can check the spec sheet here: https://www.dell.com/support/manual...d2ea83-38a4-431d-803c-96d63c1dbc34&lang=en-us

I don't know what type-c configuration memory is and I tried to Google it with no success. Can anyone explain this terminology? (No USB jokes please, I know what a type-c USB port is 😉)

If you Google "Dell memory type-c configuration" you will find the same term on spec sheets of other Dell laptops. But no other website on the internet (that I can find) talks about type-c configuration.

PS. The spec also says: NOTE:Systems with 11th Generation Intel Core (or Tiger Lake) do not offer Type-C.

Thanks.

Connect the 3520 to the net then go here and run the scanner see what it shows.

Crucial

 

[gernstsmit]

This actually does make sense, but imo the spec sheet does not explain this clearly.

Hi, no mixing of ram at all. As in my reply to Roland this is what I tried:

1) 1 x 16GB 3200. KF432S20iB/16 memory. https://www.kingston.com/dataSheets/KF432S20IB_16.pdf

2) 2 x 8GB 2666. Kingston KF426S15IBK2/16 ; https://www.kingston.com/datasheets/KF426S15IBK2_16.pdf

3) 2 x 8GB 2666. Samsung m471a1g44bb0-cwe ; https://semiconductor.samsung.com/dram/module/sodimm/m471a1g44bb0-cwe

Options 1 and 2 does not boot, the LED next to the power port on the side of the laptop blink 5 x white then 2 times orange and repeats. The 3rd configuration does boot without issue.

1 x 16GB
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y5l011oLEi0QmglqhTUJ8wiHH4gDvqNr/view?usp=sharing

2 x 8GB
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CpXpl4H9_ocaHQFPwWaN9zgYo6-wbTDi/view?usp=sharing

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

I bought Kingston KF432S20iB/16 memory. https://www.kingston.com/dataSheets/KF432S20IB_16.pdf

Default for these DIMMS is 2933mhz. No 2666mhz, which is why it most likely failed.

Note: I then purchased 2 x 8GB DDR4 2666MHz chips (Kingston KF426S15IBK2/16 ; https://www.kingston.com/datasheets/KF426S15IBK2_16.pdf) This also is incompatible and doesn't boot.

Not sure why that is. Should work.

However when I installed Samsung memory (Samsung m471a1g44bb0-cwe ; https://semiconductor.samsung.com/dram/module/sodimm/m471a1g44bb0-cwe/) the PC does boot without issue. I had a Dell technition on site, the tech couldn't explain why the Samsung memory works but the Kingston does not. This doesn't bother me alot. I was just curious about the "type-c" spec.

Is this a 2 x 8gb kit? Does it work at its's rated speed of 3200?

Edit: Max supported speed is 2666mhz on the laptop looking at the web link.

https://www.dell.com/en-ie/shop/lap...nspiron-15-laptop/spd/inspiron-15-3520-laptop

 

[gernstsmit]

Just to let everyone know, there is nothing wrong with the Kingston memory that I bought, I tried it in an Asus P2530U laptop and it all boots. the 16GB and the 8GB models all work.

 

[gernstsmit]

Default for these DIMMS is 2933mhz. No 2666mhz, which is why it most likely failed.

Not sure why that is. Should work.


Is this a 2 x 8gb kit? Does it work at its's rated speed of 3200?

Edit: Max supported speed is 2666mhz on the laptop looking at the web link.

https://www.dell.com/en-ie/shop/lap...nspiron-15-laptop/spd/inspiron-15-3520-laptop

Windows reports that the Samsung 2 x 8GB kit is currently running at 2667MHz.

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

Luckily the samsung has a default jedec as a fall back.

 

[gernstsmit]

Luckily the samsung has a default jedec as a fall back.

Do you mean to say that the XMP config fails and then the Jedec works? Can you please explain/elaborate?

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

Do you mean to say that the XMP config fails and then the Jedec works? Can you please explain/elaborate?

For the most part, every DIMM (ram stick) has 2 or 3 settings for timings and voltage. There will be at least one or two Jedec Timings. These JEDEC settings are base default clock speed, timings and voltage settings. For DDR4 those base settings are typically 2400mhz or 2666mhz. Some of those DIMMs will also have an XMP or EXPO overclock setting. XMP or EXPO are overlocked DIMMs, that will run at faster speeds than stock, like the 3200mhz DIMM you have.

If your mobo does not support faster speeds (XMP/EXPO) they (your ram and mobo) default back to next setting with JEDEC timings (so the 2400mhz/2666mhz).

If your motherboard supported 3200mhz, those DIMMs would probably work at that speed.

 

[Bob.B]

Hi, no mixing of ram at all. As in my reply to Roland this is what I tried:

1) 1 x 16GB 3200. KF432S20iB/16 memory. https://www.kingston.com/dataSheets/KF432S20IB_16.pdf

2) 2 x 8GB 2666. Kingston KF426S15IBK2/16 ; https://www.kingston.com/datasheets/KF426S15IBK2_16.pdf

3) 2 x 8GB 2666. Samsung m471a1g44bb0-cwe ; https://semiconductor.samsung.com/dram/module/sodimm/m471a1g44bb0-cwe

Options 1 and 2 does not boot, the LED next to the power port on the side of the laptop blink 5 x white then 2 times orange and repeats. The 3rd configuration does boot without issue.

1 x 16GB
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y5l011oLEi0QmglqhTUJ8wiHH4gDvqNr/view?usp=sharing

2 x 8GB
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CpXpl4H9_ocaHQFPwWaN9zgYo6-wbTDi/view?usp=sharing

Proper bios?