Hp Z820 Ram upgrade not working

[monkeyslayer]

Hi, I'm trying to upgrade my ram on my work station, I purchased 4 x 8gb DDR3L 1600 1.35v Dimms as per the 4 x 8gb 1600 ddr3's that ar ein it already so I can double the total to 64gb. I inserted them as per the prder outlined for the dual processors but when I have the extra 32gb loaded it wont start just beeping and a red light flashing on the edge of the motherboard. I tried loading just the new ram and the computer comes to life biut nothing happens, not start up or anything. I was thinking maybe the bios should be updated, would this help? Its currently running v03.68 and the latest is v3.92... Im just dreading upsetting something thats otherwise working fine and I need the machine for work. Any thoughts?

[BambiBoomZ]

Monkeyslayer,

The fact that both sets of memory work on their own means the problem is not the RAM itself or probably the slots, but it does suggest the possibility that these are mixed RAM types in some detail. The 'L" means it will run at a lower power when possible and I've never known any system to use that except servers. Workstations want the RAM to run at full speed all the time. Low power and regular can't work together as the RAM can not run at two different speeds on the same system. The other possibility is that you are mixing ECC unbuffered and registered, which also will not work. The z820 will run unbuffered, but on one processor and for two CPU's it has to be registered as the one bit parity check syncs the memory for the two processors.

It's always better to use exactly the memory that arrived with the system.  I have purchased used RAM, but I always buy the exact module that HP supplied and that has the identical HP part number on it.  Workstations, especially dual processor ones can be quite fussy with the memory.

I don't think the BIOS version is at fault as 3.68 was the first version tthat recognized M.2 (AHCI) drives- it's reasonably modern.  I had a very expensive episode with v. 3.92 on a z620 and I recommend solving absolutely everything else with your upgrade first and then approach the BIOS upgrade with the greatest care.  Do not install through Windows. V. 3.92 appears to not be reversable without extreme measures and so I use 3.91 on all my zX20 systems. 

Let us know what happens.

BambiBoomZ

[DGroves]

the z820 like most systems has memory sockets that are grouped in "banks" and each bank must have the same memory in reguards to module size and module characteristics, and when using low power memory it must be registered/ECC ram

EG-DDR3LR <----note the "R" you can not use DDR3L as that is not supported

The difference between  DDR and DDR3L  is nothing but the voltage consumption.

 DDR3L RAM operates at a lower voltage compared to regular DDR3

memory type must also match, you can not mix unbuffered and registered ECC ram, all banks must be one or the other type

memory banks and load order is printed on the removable side cover of the z820

in general,you should not run the two ram voltage types  in a z820  as the DDR3L ram will be run at 1.5 instead of 1.35 

Types of memory supported on a HP Z820 are:

• 2 GB and 4 GB PC3-14900E 1866MHz DDR3 Unbuffered ECC DIMMs

• 4 GB, 8 GB and 16 GB PC3-14900R 1866MHz DDR3 Registered DIMMs

• 32 GB PC3-14900L 1866MHz DDR3 LR DIMMs

• 1.35V and 1.5V DIMMs are supported, but the system will operate the DIMMs, safely, at 1.5V only.

http://h20331.www2.hp.com/Hpsub/downloads/Z820_Memory_Configurations.pdf

[monkeyslayer]

Great, thanks for your detailed responses, I've a much better understanding now. The ram I purchased will be posted back to the supplier. What I have in it already, or what came with it is 4 x sk hynix pc3 12800R 8gb should I just buy another four of these?

It doesn't say anything about ECC or registered or unregesitered on the dimm itself however.

[DGroves]

you need to learn how to read memory specs, yes buying the same memory/ same specs  as installed (Hynix) is recomended

pc3 12800R 8gb

-------------------

means the memory  is PC3

the speed is 12800

the "R" means registered 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DDR3_SDRAM

the 8GB is the size (Capacity) of the module

[monkeyslayer]

Ok great, not finding the origional brand too easy to source only through messy ebay sources, I found these from a source Ive use dbefore without difficulty. Hopefully these will work ok and play nice with whats in it already?

https://www.mrmemory.co.uk/memory-ram-upgrades/hp/workstation/z820#!ddr3-pc3-12800-1600mhz-240-pin-r...

[BambiBoomZ]

Monkeyslayer,

Using memory as exactly matching to the existring as possible is strongly recommended,  Examples:

This is a search of Ebay UK listings for " HP Hynix PC3-12800R  8GB " :

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_sop=2&_nkw=HP%20Hynix%20PC3-12800R%20%208GB&rt...

Completed listings:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_sop=2&_nkw=HP%20Hynix%20PC3-12800R%20%208GB&LH...

Note the sticker on the right hand side with the HP part number.

The 32GB for £80 seems quite resonable. Buying in batches from a single source is generally more economical and probably  better matched.

BambiBoomZ

HP z620_2 (2017)) > Xeon E5-1680 v2 (8C@ 4.3GHz) / z420 Liquid Cooling / 64GB DDR3-1866 ECC Reg / Quadro P2000 5GB  or GTX 1070 Ti / HP Z Turbo Drive M.2 256GB + Samsung 860 EVO 500GB + HGST 7K6000 4TB / Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 sound interface > 2X Mackie MR824 / 825W PSU /> Windows 7 Prof.’l 64-bit  > 2X Dell Ultrasharp U2715H  (2560 X 1440)

[monkeyslayer]

Cheers, thanks for that, unfortunatly the listing has ended  on that... does the HMT3 or HMT4 play a factor? On some items everything seems correct except mine say HMT3 and most on ebay say 4

[BambiBoomZ]

Monkeyslayer,

Yes, these listings will come and go. Registered memoey is in general less expensive than unbuffered ECC as the main users of registered RAM is in servers and it's changed out on a schedule in very large quantities, The key is making an exact search, and verifying that the brand and HP part number matches.

I'm not sure, but the "HMT" number probably refers to Hynxz batches with slight revisions. But, it might be more involved than that and this is why I like to concentrate on having the HP part number as it will be compatible even if there are slight variations.  The possible variations is also the reason it seems preferable to buy in sets from the same source as they should be identica modules.  I always verify that they are identical with the seller before buying.

BambiBoomZ