Upgrading Memory

[Big_Dave]

Hi Billyoldster,

Motherboard manufacturers typically have a memory dimm qualified vender list (QVL) for dimms that have been tested to work in the motherboard being used. HP has not published QVLs for dimms in the consumer PC line.

You might have a better chance for dimm compatibiltiy by using a tool such as CPU-Z to read out the SPD information of the existing dimms and then try to locate matching dimms. 

Even if the motherboard has specs for 1333, 1600 and 1866 etc... don't expect that all dimms will work.  Using matching dimms in all slots is certainly a place to start.

Some dimms have specs for Intel's XMP (extreme memory profile) which also is at different version levels. This can make dimm operation erratic and getting dimms to work a "crap shoot".

[Haithabu]

Hi Dean,

thanks for your fast reply, that is really appreciated.

I have upgraded the BIOS, that went well but did not change anything.

I have further installed CPU-Z and if all 4 modules are in the system it will only show details for the two old modules but not for the two new modules, as if they are not recognised at all.

I have just removed all 4 dimms and I cleared the CMOS with one old dimm in a blue slot which still works fine after the next boot. If I insert one of the new modules and clear the CMOS I get an error beep after booting again as if it is not recognised.

It looks pretty much as if the new modules are not recognised at all, it is probably not a problem with a mixture of dimms as the two new dimms alone in the system won't work either. It all points to the two new dimm modules being incompatible or unreadable for some reason so maybe I need to get them returned.

By the way : What does the "10600" stand for ? The old two modules both have "10600" printed on them but CPU-Z detects them as "10700". Last week I went into a local shop and saw modules labled "10660" so I did not buy them because the number was not exact the number as seen on my existing modules. Instead I ordered "10600" online afterwards. I just wonder if I can purchase the "10660" in the local shop and mix them with the existing "10600" modules.

Thanks

Ove Haithabu

[Woodwood]

Haithabu,

I have an idea as why the extra 8GB memory you purchased does not appear in your system.  The clue is in "10600R" while your original memory was "10600U".  It seems likely that you have been supplied with 'registered' memory (which probably also has error checking ? ECC) and this type of memory probably - almost certainly - will not work in your system, which is probably designed for use only with unregistered memory.  I thinkyou should exchange your new memory for PC-10600U type memory.  Most (unregistered, non-ECC) DIMMs of this spec will work in your system, but if you  do not want to take a chance on them not working buy from a suppler who guarantee they will work like MrMemory, Corsair, Kingston or Crucial, or buy identical modules to the ones you already have or get the HP recommended ones.

The number '10600' reflects a JDEC standard for memory DIMMs generally encompassing speeds of operation, latency, and other timing details.  see the wikipedia article on this subject. There shouldn't be numbers '10700' or '10660' anywhere, I don't understand that, unless they are manufactiuer's codes/part numbers which are not standards.

Woodwood

28.January.2013

[Woodwood]

-> BillyOldster

I've checked on the websites of just two manufacturers, Crucial and Kingston (note that this is not a recommendation to buy these manufacturers' products)

On the Kingston website, for the p6623w they have the following recommendation (4GB module, KTH9600B/4G:

4GB Module - DDR3 1333MHz

Part Number: KTH9600B/4G

Mfr Part Number: 497158-B88; 497158-D88; 585157-001; AT025AA; AZ517AV (2x4GB); BU970AV; BV056AV (4x4GB); BV072AV; BV073AV; BV079AV (2x 4GB); BV445AV; LA779AV (2x4GB); LA780AV (4x4GB); LA781AV (2x4GB); LB435AA; LB437A

I think that when lthey ist the Mfr Part Number they are implying that this Kingston product is 100% compatible with those HP P/Ns. Are any of the P/Ns listed the one you were looking for ?  (one of them should be)

Crucial have an 8GB kit (2 x 4GB modules) which they ought to work with the memory supplied with the PC but they can't guarantee.  If you were to get 2 x 8GB kits, then they guarantee this combination will work in your PC (crucial website, memory search for pavilion p6623w - list  of compatible types)

I expect other reputable manufacturers will offer similar products, probably with the same caveat as Crucial (mixed manufacturer DIMMs not absolutely guaranteed).  Check before you buy.

Woodwood

28.January.2013

[Haithabu]

Thanks Woodwood,

Looks like you are exactly right. I have contacted the vendor and he confirmed that it is indeed 'registered' memory which is more suited for servers than for desktops. I'll exchange the memory now. Thanks for your help.

Haithabu

[platoonof1]

MODEL # CQ5320F PC  ,  PCB # M2N68-LA rev 6.01  , Win 7 ultimate 64 bit  :  max ram ?  (mother board spec have a error on hp site )  confusing ddr2 and ddr3 on same board are as follows :

• Dual channel memory architecture

• Two DDR3 DIMM (240-pin) sockets

• Supported DIMM types:
• PC3-8500 (DDR3-1066)
• PC3-10600 (DDR3-1333)

• Non-ECC memory only, unbuffered

• Supports 2GB DDR2 DIMMs

• Supports up to 4 GB* on 32 bit PCs

*32-bit operating systems cannot address a full 4.0 GB of memory.

 _______I am aware its ddr3 my question is will the board support 2X4G  DDR3  EITHER PC3-8500 OR PC3-10600     RUNNING 64 BIT 7 ULT  , HD 6670 GRAPHIC , 550W PSU ,ATHLON 11 X2 240 2800 MHZ .........NOT TO DRAG ON BUT I HAVE 3GIG RAM AND IT BOTHERS ME THE OD NUMBER AND RATHER THAN BUY 1 2GIG RAM I WAS HOPING TO JUST REPLACE WITH 2X 4 GIG 1333  RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED CARL FULLER 

[Woodwood]

Platoonof1,

I don't have a problem with the link from HP specification page for CQ5320F to its motherboard (M2N68-LA) but the info on mb spec page is the same.  It says that the PC will accept PC3-8500 and PC3-10600 and also 2GB DIMMs of DDR2 memory.  I don't understand how this can be so, because "DDR2 is neither forward nor backward compatible with either DDR or DDR3"(notches don't align) .  I assume that the PC accepts 1GB and 2GB DDR3 DIMMs because I assume that was it was supplied with.  Nowhere does it confirm that the mb supports 4GB DIMMs, though it might.  Another defective HP  spec sheet.

You might go to the expense of contacting HP or possibly waiting on this forum for an answer from someone more knowledgeable on this model than I am (Big Dave or Hanspuppa ???)

Sorry not to have been more helpful

Woodwood

19.February.2013

[Big_Dave]

Hi Platoonof1,

If you look at the color image of the motherboard you will notice that the notch for the dimms is off center.  This would indicated DDR3.  See the below image:

You should be able to verity the dimms types by removing one dimm and looking where the notch is located.

[Woodwood]

Hi Dave_G

Thanks for your clear and unambiguous response, I wish that such information was available on the HP website.

For Platoonof1's information, what is the maximum memory that his PC supports (DDR3 DIMMs of course 🙂 )

Woodwood
20.February.2013

[Big_Dave]

Hi Woodward,

The HP documentation for the CQ5320f indicates 4GB max using two 2GB DDR3 dimms. Kingston also confirms that the maxmum amount is 4GB using two 2GB DDR3 dimms.