"Keith" <keithtucaz@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:Htednbuv26jbceHanZ2dnUVZ_uuqnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
> Dell XPS 720: 4 x 1 GB DDR 2 @ 800 MHz:
>
>
>
> How did they get this to work on a 680i nVidia chipset? What RAM and
> memory timings are they using?
>
>
>
Need some detail:
1) What are you trying to do and what results are you seeing, and......
2) Who is "they"?, and I'd assume they're running 4gb of RAM (4 x 1gb DIMMs)
and you cannot?
I was unable to get that configuration to work on a 680i motherboard using 4
x 1 GB DDR 2 RAM from Corsair - the vendors suggested I slow the RAM down to
get it to work (timings and frequency) -I just decised to only run on
matched pair becasue I did not really need 4 GB RAM.
I was asking to try to find out how Dell overcame the memory controller
limit on the XPS 720
"S.Lewis" <NVRambo@techie.com> wrote in message
news:QG6fj.42912$_m.21694@bignews4.bellsouth.net.. .
>
> "Keith" <keithtucaz@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:Htednbuv26jbceHanZ2dnUVZ_uuqnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
>> Dell XPS 720: 4 x 1 GB DDR 2 @ 800 MHz:
>>
>>
>>
>> How did they get this to work on a 680i nVidia chipset? What RAM and
>> memory timings are they using?
>>
>>
>>
>
>
> Need some detail:
>
> 1) What are you trying to do and what results are you seeing, and......
>
> 2) Who is "they"?, and I'd assume they're running 4gb of RAM (4 x 1gb
> DIMMs) and you cannot?
>
>
> Thanks.....
>
"Keith" <keithtucaz@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:bJGdnSBrwdsql-DanZ2dnUVZ_oOnnZ2d@comcast.com...
>I was unable to get that configuration to work on a 680i motherboard using
>4 x 1 GB DDR 2 RAM from Corsair - the vendors suggested I slow the RAM down
>to get it to work (timings and frequency) -I just decised to only run on
>matched pair becasue I did not really need 4 GB RAM.
>
> I was asking to try to find out how Dell overcame the memory controller
> limit on the XPS 720
>
>
Did you see the "XPS720 new BIOS" thread below? You might e-mail Dell
technical support with your question to see if this BIOS revision addresses
your RAM issue (since there are no stinking developer notes on the new flash
to indicate WHAT issue(s) it is supposed to address).
I'd investigate that as a possible remedy before I flashed the board.
You might also post your question over in the Dell community forums
desktop/BIOS board, as they have a Dell moderator over there who might be
able to officially comment on your issue and if the new BIOS revision will
have any effect. (* Or the XPS desktops group):
Keith wrote:
> I was unable to get that configuration to work on a 680i motherboard using 4
> x 1 GB DDR 2 RAM from Corsair - the vendors suggested I slow the RAM down to
> get it to work (timings and frequency) -I just decised to only run on
> matched pair becasue I did not really need 4 GB RAM.
>
> I was asking to try to find out how Dell overcame the memory controller
> limit on the XPS 720
'Don't know what you mean about a "memory controller limit on the XPS
720" - I've been running 4GB in my 720 since about 1 Dec 2007. The
memory is a Corsair Dominator kit #QUAD2X4096-8500C5DF. Never a peep
from it (knocks on wood).
"Tony Harding" <ToHard@nowhere.org> wrote in message
news:477ed7fc$0$9140$607ed4bc@cv.net...
> Keith wrote:
>> I was unable to get that configuration to work on a 680i motherboard
>> using 4 x 1 GB DDR 2 RAM from Corsair - the vendors suggested I slow the
>> RAM down to get it to work (timings and frequency) -I just decised to
>> only run on matched pair becasue I did not really need 4 GB RAM.
>>
>> I was asking to try to find out how Dell overcame the memory controller
>> limit on the XPS 720
>
> 'Don't know what you mean about a "memory controller limit on the XPS
> 720" - I've been running 4GB in my 720 since about 1 Dec 2007. The memory
> is a Corsair Dominator kit #QUAD2X4096-8500C5DF. Never a peep from it
> (knocks on wood).
S.Lewis wrote:
> "Tony Harding" <ToHard@nowhere.org> wrote in message
> news:477ed7fc$0$9140$607ed4bc@cv.net...
>> Keith wrote:
>>> I was unable to get that configuration to work on a 680i motherboard
>>> using 4 x 1 GB DDR 2 RAM from Corsair - the vendors suggested I slow the
>>> RAM down to get it to work (timings and frequency) -I just decised to
>>> only run on matched pair becasue I did not really need 4 GB RAM.
>>>
>>> I was asking to try to find out how Dell overcame the memory controller
>>> limit on the XPS 720
>> 'Don't know what you mean about a "memory controller limit on the XPS
>> 720" - I've been running 4GB in my 720 since about 1 Dec 2007. The memory
>> is a Corsair Dominator kit #QUAD2X4096-8500C5DF. Never a peep from it
>> (knocks on wood).
>
> Ah. Might just be bad or incompatible RAM.
Very likely, IMHO, I've always heard that Dells are sensitive regarding
their memory.
Before the 4GB kit, I ran 2GB of Corsair Dominator PC6400 memory (which
Dell said could be overclocked) by itself (and presumably being run at
1066MHz) and also the 2GB of the Corsair RAM with the original 667MHz
memory it came with from Dell - no problems with either configuration.
If the problem remains, then please try setting the memory frequency to DDR2
667 or even DDR2 533. There will be a lot more stresses on the memory
controller on the motherboard when all four memory slots are filled; to
compensate for these stresses, memory controller will need to run these
modules at a slower speed.
"S.Lewis" <NVRambo@techie.com> wrote in message
news:2cFfj.46418$N67.44546@bignews5.bellsouth.net. ..
>
> "Tony Harding" <ToHard@nowhere.org> wrote in message
> news:477ed7fc$0$9140$607ed4bc@cv.net...
>> Keith wrote:
>>> I was unable to get that configuration to work on a 680i motherboard
>>> using 4 x 1 GB DDR 2 RAM from Corsair - the vendors suggested I slow the
>>> RAM down to get it to work (timings and frequency) -I just decised to
>>> only run on matched pair becasue I did not really need 4 GB RAM.
>>>
>>> I was asking to try to find out how Dell overcame the memory controller
>>> limit on the XPS 720
>>
>> 'Don't know what you mean about a "memory controller limit on the XPS
>> 720" - I've been running 4GB in my 720 since about 1 Dec 2007. The memory
>> is a Corsair Dominator kit #QUAD2X4096-8500C5DF. Never a peep from it
>> (knocks on wood).
>
>
>
> Ah. Might just be bad or incompatible RAM.
>
>
>
"Tony Harding" <ToHard@nowhere.org> wrote in message
news:47803f9b$0$13817$607ed4bc@cv.net...
> S.Lewis wrote:
>> "Tony Harding" <ToHard@nowhere.org> wrote in message
>> news:477ed7fc$0$9140$607ed4bc@cv.net...
>>> Keith wrote:
>>>> I was unable to get that configuration to work on a 680i motherboard
>>>> using 4 x 1 GB DDR 2 RAM from Corsair - the vendors suggested I slow
>>>> the RAM down to get it to work (timings and frequency) -I just decised
>>>> to only run on matched pair becasue I did not really need 4 GB RAM.
>>>>
>>>> I was asking to try to find out how Dell overcame the memory controller
>>>> limit on the XPS 720
>>> 'Don't know what you mean about a "memory controller limit on the XPS
>>> 720" - I've been running 4GB in my 720 since about 1 Dec 2007. The
>>> memory is a Corsair Dominator kit #QUAD2X4096-8500C5DF. Never a peep
>>> from it (knocks on wood).
>>
>> Ah. Might just be bad or incompatible RAM.
>
> Very likely, IMHO, I've always heard that Dells are sensitive regarding
> their memory.
>
> Before the 4GB kit, I ran 2GB of Corsair Dominator PC6400 memory (which
> Dell said could be overclocked) by itself (and presumably being run at
> 1066MHz) and also the 2GB of the Corsair RAM with the original 667MHz
> memory it came with from Dell - no problems with either configuration.
Tony -
Is the BIOS on the XPS720 "unlocked"? (Unlike most all Dells which ARE
locked)
I mean, can you set your memory timings or any CPU Vcore settings, etc.
independently?
I'd read that one of those newer XPS 6XX/7XX models had been "hard
overclocked" (meaning OC'd, but locked by Dell - and not able to be
adjusted).
S.Lewis wrote:
> "Tony Harding" <ToHard@nowhere.org> wrote in message
> news:47803f9b$0$13817$607ed4bc@cv.net...
>> S.Lewis wrote:
>>> "Tony Harding" <ToHard@nowhere.org> wrote in message
>>> news:477ed7fc$0$9140$607ed4bc@cv.net...
>>>> Keith wrote:
>>>>> I was unable to get that configuration to work on a 680i motherboard
>>>>> using 4 x 1 GB DDR 2 RAM from Corsair - the vendors suggested I slow
>>>>> the RAM down to get it to work (timings and frequency) -I just decised
>>>>> to only run on matched pair becasue I did not really need 4 GB RAM.
>>>>>
>>>>> I was asking to try to find out how Dell overcame the memory controller
>>>>> limit on the XPS 720
>>>> 'Don't know what you mean about a "memory controller limit on the XPS
>>>> 720" - I've been running 4GB in my 720 since about 1 Dec 2007. The
>>>> memory is a Corsair Dominator kit #QUAD2X4096-8500C5DF. Never a peep
>>>> from it (knocks on wood).
>>> Ah. Might just be bad or incompatible RAM.
>> Very likely, IMHO, I've always heard that Dells are sensitive regarding
>> their memory.
>>
>> Before the 4GB kit, I ran 2GB of Corsair Dominator PC6400 memory (which
>> Dell said could be overclocked) by itself (and presumably being run at
>> 1066MHz) and also the 2GB of the Corsair RAM with the original 667MHz
>> memory it came with from Dell - no problems with either configuration.
>
>
> Tony -
>
> Is the BIOS on the XPS720 "unlocked"? (Unlike most all Dells which ARE
> locked)
>
> I mean, can you set your memory timings or any CPU Vcore settings, etc.
> independently?
>
> I'd read that one of those newer XPS 6XX/7XX models had been "hard
> overclocked" (meaning OC'd, but locked by Dell - and not able to be
> adjusted).
Yes, it is (at least partially). With the XPS720 Dell made good on their
promises made with the XPS700, i.e., it would be tunable by the user.
You can definitely OC the memory as well as tinker with various internal
timings (sorry I don't have more details but this isn't my forte).
There's a setting which permits BIOS values to be changed, but doesn't
provide any way to change them. You need a utility like nTune, which
allows anything, including changing BIOS settings on the fly. It has an
option to set parameters for maximum performance - the "fine tune"
option says it'll need a couple of hours to run, plus it's not unusual
for the system to hang a few times while optimizing the BIOS.
From the 720 User's Manual:
Optimizing for Greater Performance
Understanding Dual-Graphics Technology
With dual-graphics technology, an optional second PCI Express graphics
card will significantly increase graphics performance on your computer.
Benefits of this technology can be seen in the improved portrayal of the
3D graphics used in gaming and design applications. Each graphics card
includes at least one graphics processing unit (GPU). In dual graphics
card configurations, multiple GPUs dynamically share their workload to
provide the best possible performance. For a given application, the
software selects the optimum rendering (processing) mode.
For more information about your graphics card, go to support.dell.com.
Understanding CPU Overclocking
NOTICE: Dell does not recommend operating the processor or other system
components beyond the factory default settings. This may cause system
instability and reduce the operating life of your system components.
NOTICE: Dell Technical Support will verify the full functionality of the
CPU at the factory default setting and support the CPU performance
settings available within the system BIOS. Dell does not provide
technical support for any hardware or software issues arising from any
third party applications used to enable overclocking, such as NVIDIA
nTune 5.0. Overclocking is the process of causing a computer component
to run faster than designed or designated by the component manufacturer.
Depending upon your application (such as gaming or video editing), your
performance may benefit from overclocking different subsystems within
your computer.
You can make limited adjustments to the CPU operating frequency in
system setup. For more information on accessing system setup, see
"System Setup" on page 166. For information on performance options, see
"Performance" on page 169.
Dell XPS 720: 4 x 1 GB DDR 2 @ 800 MHz 
Linear Mode
