Ram installation problem, hp g4 z4 i9

[BunsenBurner]

I'm having real trouble installing memory I bought recently. I have 4x16gb, DDR4-3200 • CL=22 • NON-ECC • UDIMM • 288-pin • 1.2V • 2Rx8 • PC4-25600. I have 8 ram slots in my hp g4 z4.  I tried putting the ram in alternate slots, black ones, from the front but doesn't work. Tried all four ram in first four slots, doesn't work. Tried alternate black and white slots, doesn't work. I get 3 bleeps red, and two white. Manual doesn't really help and F10 won't open bios from here, just a black screen. Please help, thanks.

This is my specs Intel Core i9 7900X, Skylake-X, I think it's 10 cores.

[DGroves]

this model has numerous differences depending on the cpu installed the config changes between core and xeon cpu's which each use different motherboards and the core cpu model also can change the configuration please read the  following link for what changes depending on installed hardware

https://h20195.www2.hp.com/v2/getpdf.aspx/4AA7-2219ENW.pdf

in your case page 16 covers ram and it's noted not all configurations support 16gb dimms and no HP approved config supports 64GB dimms on this model series per HP the max ram for xeon systems is 512GB and core based system's is 256GB

(although the xeon based MB/CPU just might as it listed for 32GB dimms)

crucial does not list ANY 64GB dimms for this xeon based model

https://www.crucial.com/compatible-upgrade-for/hp/hp-z4-g4-workstation-(intel-xeon-w-series)

https://eu.crucial.com/compatible-upgrade-for/hp/hp-z4-g4-workstation-(core-9th-10th-x-series)

[BunsenBurner]

Thanks. Looks as if my machine takes only 2666mhz. Can't find any way to get xmp turned on, so will probably have to return the 3200 ram I bought

[DGroves]

no HP workstation/server (and most OEM consumer systems) supports overclocking the cpu/ram due to their desired usage role

you don't have a ram speed issue per say as dim modules have the necessary JEDEC/XMP speeds preprogrammed into the module as such your  3200 module will auto downstep to 2666 if the system they are installed in is capable of these speeds

your issue is a dimm CAPACITY issue,......

your system has a hardware limit on the supported dimm capacity/size

and does not support 64GB dims just 8 or 16 gb for core based cpu's

and 8/16/32gb dimms for the xeon based cpu's

[SDH]

Did you just buy a motherboard or do you have the case with everything but RAM?

DGroves seems to indicate your workstation should work with 8 or 16 GB RAM but from looking at the QuickSpecs  p.14 attached below plus the Skylake processor type you have HP specifically says that you can only use 8GB sticks. In that case you need to use 7ZZ64AA = AT. I do agree speeds can be downregulated from faster to slower (but not upregulated). This memory stuff can get complicated!

A good place to start is with the latest QuickSpecs for the Z4 G4 which has info for both the Core and the Xeon processors. Older QuickSpecs often show older processors that should still work fine under the latest BIOS. There is a recent BIOS update. I attached the latest QuickSpecs and did a little highlighting on page 14.

For the 16GB approved non-ECC unbuffered RAM the Cascade Lake processors are supported but not the Skylake ones. Yours is a Skylake 10 core processor. I'd return the 16GB and go for 8GB or return your Skylake processor and get a Cascade Lake one.  Take a look at your processor HERE from Intel and note it specifies only DDR4-2666 (non-ECC, unbuffered). The QuickSpecs show the HP "Option" part numbers... ending with AA = regular, ending with AT = a promotion = identical memory. Another HP number for the same memory is the Spares P/N (which can be found via HP PartSurfer). And, yet another for same memory is the HP Assembly P/N (found from the HP sticker stuck onto the front of the memory on the right). Thanks HP!

If you can find a genuine one and get its Assembly P/N that is the best to use for searching eBay/google...  you look for that on the HP sticker on the right. Eight recycled 8GB ones sounds good to me. Your 16GB sticks won't work with that processor according to HP... at least they never certified other ones. "Unsupported" can mean it will not work, or can mean they never tested it so can't certify it.  HP does not specify that detail.

It would be helpful to post pics of your current memory that is not working, even just one if they are all the same but best to show all 4 to make sure you're not missing something.

[SDH]

Taking it a big deeper:

8GB sticks you need = 2933 non-ECC Unbuffered, per HP either 7ZZ64AA or 7ZZ64AT, "only... 2933" per HP, but maybe 3200. You might be able to find those also used in more recent business class HP computers.

Don't mix ranks. Memory load info is from the DGroves HP White Paper he posted. Once you get a genuine one that works you may be able to find more via searching using the OEM's source label on the left side of the stick. I prefer to use all same size from the same manufacturer. 8GB sticks often are less expensive recycled per GB than larger sticks. 

EDIT: It sure seems like you should consider upgrading your processor away from that Skylake one you have. It is locking you out of future memory options and the rare sticks it seems to require are only going to get rarere.

Sounds like a real hassle but nothing that money can't fix.

[SDH]

Added discoveries for you. Let's say you must stay with your current processor, and thus need to only use 8GB DDR4 2933 (or 3200) memory. Here are 4 HP OEM sources for you that you can go use as a basis for finding HP-label sticks via eBay. These all have HP Assembly P/N of L47721-001 and I'd only get ones that have that HP label. I'd want only same OEM source if at all possible. You might want to get 2 to start with, and I've seen prices as low as 15.00 each:

Micron 8GB non-ECC unbuffered 1RX1
MTA8ATF1G64AZ-3G2 = PC4-3200 8GB 1RX8 = HP AS P/N L47721-001 confirmed

Samsung 8GB non-ECC unbuffered 1RX1
M378A1K43EB2-CWE = PC4-3200 8GB 1RX8 = HP AS P/N L47721-001 confirmed

4 pics showing the 4 OEM sources HP uses that I've found:

For these Micron sticks F1 = 8GB and F2 = 16GB. The 3 alphanumerics right after the hyphen have to do with the stick's max speed rating. HP is using the 3200 instead of 2933 because a 3200 stick will automatically drop to 2933 when in place in these workstations, as DGroves explained above. See the Micron PDF below also as one example of the data sheets you can find with some effort.

[DGroves]

SHD, i thought i was clear in my first post the issue with ram size modules

that only some cpu's supported 16GB dimms on the core cpu based models

RE: from my first post

"in your case page 16 covers ram and it's noted not all configurations support 16gb dimms"

also like SDH, i prefer to use branded used OEM labeled modules in my personal systems

but i've personally found through the years that if you fully understand

the necessary memory requirements then dell/lenovo labeled ones work just as well

and i also try to have all used modules be the same

  as the dimms can have different memory chips if bought at different times

Also, i ALWAYS recommend/use new vender approved retail or new OEM dimms

for mission critical/work related systems

[SDH]

DGroves.... you were right from the beginning. I think that even with the latest QuickSpecs there still is a bit of confusion. I've not seen such restrictive memory rules for a HP workstation before. The fact that HP makes it so difficult with multiple different part numbers and designations for the exact same memory does not help. And, they don't make it easy to buy over time via the HP PartSurfer... lots of out-of-stock items.

I hope the OP is finally able to get what he needs. I've been happy with the Xeon version of the Z4 G4 and getting memory for that has been quite easy. I'm using some of the 8GB 2933 ECC buffered HP sticks meant for the Z4 G4 in our Z440 workstations anticipating upgrading the boxes later and being able to shift the memory to Z4 G4 Xeon boxes. We don't need mass quantities of RAM for what we do... 8 x 8GB is enough. 

[DGroves]

yeh, i've noticed that this specific workstation is as complicated (if not more so)

than most servers i've worked on regarding compatible parts such as the HP ML380 series!!