NUC11TNHi5 doesn't like Corsair DDR4-3200

[cnuulhu]

Background: I'm setting up an NUC11TNHi5, whose specs say it accepts memory types "DDR4-3200 1.2V SO-DIMMs." With that in mind, I bought this Corsair RAM, figuring there'd be no harm in using the fastest memory that is compatible.

Problem: When I installed that RAM and an NVMe SSD, I found that the NUC would not boot (no motherboard splashscreen/BIOS menus), and that I'd instead get the repeating three-blink pattern on the power button light, characteristic of memory issues.

Troubleshooting done: I've tried installing each stick individually in each SO-DIMM slot, to no avail. Sadly, I don't have a compatible, known-good system in which to test my memory sticks, so I can't get a definitive answer on whether the RAM is dead or just incompatible.

Question: Is this NUC meant to be compatible with the above-linked RAM? If not, how am I supposed to tell from the NUC's specs?

[LeonWaksman]

You may check the List of Compatible Products for your NUC. You will find there a list of Intel Validated Memory modules. If the memory you bought is not on this list, it doesn't mean that it is not compatible. It means that it wasn't tested by Intel.

Leon

Edit:

Founded a thread on REDDIT Corsair Vengenace not comptabile with Intel NUC 11 (NUC11PAHi7)

[cnuulhu]

Oh hey, you found just about the exact combination I was dealing with. Helps me know it wasn't just defective memory on my side.

[ClariceStarling]

Intel's list of compatible products seems out of date, so you can't follow it literally imo.  However, it helps to stick with the same brands listed.  Word on Reddit is that NUCs are picky about what RAM will work!

[cnuulhu]

Ooh, thanks for reminding me the NUC subreddit is another option for community support.

[ClariceStarling]

Reddit is good ... this country (U.S.) has some real computer geniuses ... or maybe they are being posted from overseas?

[LeonWaksman · Accepted solution]

Well, there is an additional requirement when choosing RAM. In addition to "DDR4-3200 1.2V SO-DIMMs." there is a requirement for SD RAM density System Memory for Intel® NUC11TN In case of NUC TN, only 8 Gbit and 16 Gbit memory technology is supported. So, in case of 8GB SO DIMM, it should contain 8 SDRAM devices ( 8 Gbit density) or 4 SDRAM devices ( 16 Gbit density). In the Corsair specification page I can't find the definition of RAM density. For example Kingston on its data sheet defines density of 8 Gbit. The HX432S20IB2K2/16 contains 8 SDRAM devices.

Leon

[cnuulhu]

Everyone's been helpful, but I think this is the answer I was looking for. Thanks!

[JRS1]

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@LeonWaksman wrote:

Well, there is an additional requirement when choosing RAM. In addition to "DDR4-3200 1.2V SO-DIMMs." there is a requirement for SD RAM density System Memory for Intel® NUC11TN In case of NUC TN, only 8 Gbit and 16 Gbit memory technology is supported. So, in case of 8GB SO DIMM, it should contain 8 SDRAM devices ( 8 Gbit density) or 4 SDRAM devices ( 16 Gbit density). In the Corsair specification page I can't find the definition of RAM density. For example Kingston on its data sheet defines density of 8 Gbit. The HX432S20IB2K2/16 contains 8 SDRAM devices.

Leon

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Is there really limitation that 4 Gbit memory technology is not supported in NUC11TN? I ask this because I have 2 pcs of Crucial 8GB DDR4 3200MHz memory modules with 16 chips (8 chips on each side) on each module and they are working fine. If I understood correctly these must be 4 Gbit memory technology since there are 16 chips on each module and also test programs that read memory type in detail said it is using 4 Gbit chips? I have installed Windows 11 and ran all sorts of programs including Memtest and Prime95 without any issues.

I just recently happened to notice this thread and then checked Intel documents myself and learned they say only 8 Gbit and 16 Gbit memory technology is supported.  I even contacted Crucial support and asked about the same thing and they just said it is OK to use because it is listed on their web site in NUC11TN supported memory list. Memory type is CT8G4SFRA32A and this memory module exist in 4, 8 and 16 chip version!! There are some additional characters after CT8G4SFRA32A.nnnnn defining actual chip count (where in n's there is either number 4, 8 or 16 included, mine has 16).

I have latest bios installed in my NUC but I briefly tested it with the original bios (oldest version) it arrived and even with that it seemed to POST ok.

[JRS1]

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@JRS1 wrote:

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@LeonWaksman wrote:

Well, there is an additional requirement when choosing RAM. In addition to "DDR4-3200 1.2V SO-DIMMs." there is a requirement for SD RAM density System Memory for Intel® NUC11TN In case of NUC TN, only 8 Gbit and 16 Gbit memory technology is supported. So, in case of 8GB SO DIMM, it should contain 8 SDRAM devices ( 8 Gbit density) or 4 SDRAM devices ( 16 Gbit density). In the Corsair specification page I can't find the definition of RAM density. For example Kingston on its data sheet defines density of 8 Gbit. The HX432S20IB2K2/16 contains 8 SDRAM devices.

Leon

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Is there really limitation that 4 Gbit memory technology is not supported in NUC11TN? I ask this because I have 2 pcs of Crucial 8GB DDR4 3200MHz memory modules with 16 chips (8 chips on each side) on each module and they are working fine. If I understood correctly these must be 4 Gbit memory technology since there are 16 chips on each module and also test programs that read memory type in detail said it is using 4 Gbit chips? I have installed Windows 11 and ran all sorts of programs including Memtest and Prime95 without any issues.

I just recently happened to notice this thread and then checked Intel documents myself and learned they say only 8 Gbit and 16 Gbit memory technology is supported.  I even contacted Crucial support and asked about the same thing and they just said it is OK to use because it is listed on their web site in NUC11TN supported memory list. Memory type is CT8G4SFRA32A and this memory module exist in 4, 8 and 16 chip version!! There are some additional characters after CT8G4SFRA32A.nnnnn defining actual chip count (where in n's there is either number 4, 8 or 16 included, mine has 16).

I have latest bios installed in my NUC but I briefly tested it with the original bios (oldest version) it arrived and even with that it seemed to POST ok.

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Anyone happen to have more insights about NUC11TN not supporting 4 Gbit memory technology?

Because if I got right, Intel compatible memory list shows Crucial 8GB 2666 MHZ BLS8G4S26BFSD.16BFD2 being Intel Validated even that is DUAL RANK memory (being 8GB memory it must be 16 chips when dual rank, so there are 4 Gbit chips on the module).

Did I get this right? Is there really limitation not to use 4 Gbit memory technology in NUC11TN and there fore not possible to have 8GB DDR4 Dual Rank modules at all? For example Crucial lists CT8G4SFRA32A compatible but there are both Single and Dual Rank modules and with either 4, 8 or 16 chips versions of this module, all with the same product code CT8G4SFRA32A.

I happen to have Dual Rank 16 chip version in my NUC11TN and so far seen no issue with it?!?!?!

So just checking if that limitation is actually true or some error is documents?