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Dell Optiplex 390 SFF Maximum RAM
I've recently made a purchase of a used Dell Optiplex 390 SSF system that has 4gb of RAM and an i5-2400. I stumbled across the manual while researching this product, and it said that the Maximum System Memory was 8gb, but I'm not sure if it's just the Maximum System Memory that the system ships with, or if it's the Maximum System Memory that's supported by the board. If anyone could clear this up to me that would be great! Thank you in advanced.
DELL-Alasdair R
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November 13th, 2017 02:00
Hi Tisesme,
The Optiplex 390 has an Intel H61 Express Chipset which supports a maximum of 8GB.
speedstep
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November 13th, 2017 05:00
Maximum Memory:8GB Slots:2
http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/compatible-upgrade-for/Dell/optiplex-390-mini-tower
2 X 4GB DDR3 512x72 PC3-10600 1333MHz 1.5V CL 9
https://www.amazon.com/Komputerbay-1333Mhz-10600-10666-9-9-9-25/dp/B003OSTDPI
speedstep
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November 13th, 2017 08:00
You don't get 32 gigs with 2 ram slots. 16 GIGS is not supported by Dell which is why crucial always says "Not to exceed manufacturer supported memory." Intel compatible LOW DENSITY RAM is intel specific. Fitting into the slots is not a guarantee of compatability. Any issues with more than 8 gigs of ram IS NOT SUPPORTED AND WILL NOT BE SUPPORTED. Some have said that Gskill F3-1600C11D-16GNT (2 x 8 gig) works HOWEVER this is NOT verified. YMMV
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231637
Techgee
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November 13th, 2017 08:00
The i5-2400 supports 32 GB max, according to Intel, so there's no 8GB total RAM limit with the CPU. Here's the Intel specs on an Intel motherboard with a H61 Express Chipset (same as OptiPlex 390) - Max Memory 16 GB using 2 DIMMs (in other words, 2x8GB). So, again, there's no 8GB total RAM limit with the H61 Express Chipset.
Here's a forum thread on Dell's forum of two separate individuals getting 2x8 GB to work in an OptiPlex 390, although one person mentioned it's for a "Desktop" and the other didn't mention the form factor (SFF or otherwise).
It's not guaranteed to work, but I'd say there's enough reason to think it might to try. I'd purchase memory somewhere with a return policy, just in case.
If you go for it, please post back what you used that worked (or didn't).
Techgee
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November 13th, 2017 13:00
Here's a refurbished Dell OptiPlex 390 Tower with 16GB RAM being sold by Staples.
Dell and Crucial often are conservative and understate max memory, in this case likely because 8GB sticks weren't out when the OptiPlex 390 was introduced (in 2011, I believe). So, Dell probably couldn't test a 2x8GB configuration and simply stated max of what they could test with, 2x4GB. Then Crucial just repeats what Dell's specs are.
Since there's no support for it anymore by Dell (especially since it isn't original owner), support is irrelevant.
If 8GB total memory is what you need then go with 2x4GB, but if you want 16GB total, there's every reason to believe 2x8GB will work. Especially since the Dell stated max RAM and RAM configurations are all the same for DT, MT and SFF form factors of the 390.
Techgee
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November 13th, 2017 17:00
Oh, Intel's motherboards that use the H61 Express Chipset (like the OptiPlex 390) are here. If you pick one and go to a memory configurator, for example Crucial's, it will tell you compatible 2x8GB memory. So, for example with a DH61BF Intel motherboard, here is Crucial's Compatible Memory. Besides Crucial branded memory, Ballistix Sport, Ballistix Tactical and Ballistix show up. Try it with your own favorite memory selector.
This gives you a good chance of finding compatible 2x8GB memory for the OptiPlex 390.