BIOS P09ABE and 32GB RAM with 2 16GB modules

[japa543]

Hello!

I’m the owner of a Samsung NP350V5C-S08PL laptop with an Intel HM76 (Panther Point) chipset, Intel Core i7-3940XM CPU, and BIOS version P09ABE. My issue is that the laptop cannot handle 32GB of DDR3 RAM (2×16GB modules — even a single 16GB stick doesn’t work). Interestingly when I install the 32GB RAM, the laptop powers on, fans start spinning, which suggests that the motherboard and chipset are not the problem. However, the screen stays black, which points to a BIOS limitation. Currently, I’m running 2×8GB DDR3 modules, which work fine. They operate at a maximum frequency of 1300.0 MHz, which might be relevant. I’d love to get this old machine running with 32GB RAM, since I already own the modules.

Additional details that might help:

1. My 16GB modules may differ in frequency or voltage. Here’s what I know about them:
   

Code:

Brand: Yongxinsheng  Model: YXS00000PC-12800  Serial: 202405223406  Part: K531R8-MINS145146XP  Spec: DDR3 1600 D3C11/16G  Voltage: 1.5V

Maybe BIOS P09ABE has trouble with frequency, voltage, or something else?

1. I previously used a very similar AMD-based model — Samsung NP355V5C-S02SE — with Hudson-M3L chipset, AMD A10-5750M CPU, and BIOS P09AAN. That machine ran 32GB DDR3 RAM (2×16GB) without issues, which confirms the modules are functional.
   

I’ve tried exploring with RWEverything and HxD, but I’ve reached my limit. I enjoy tinkering with hardware and upgrades, but this one’s beyond me.
Maybe comparing how BIOS P09AAN handles RAM and applying similar settings to P09ABE could solve the issue? I’m not sure.
If any forum member is willing to help by modifying P09ABE so that 32GB RAM works on my system, I’d be extremely grateful — and happy to send a donation.

Attached:

• biosec.rom  —  BIOSEC original BIOS file for P09ABE.
  I also have access to BIOS P09AAN from my old NP355V5C-S02SE, but retrieving it will take a few days. I’ll share it as soon as I can.
• Best regards!
  

[DeathBringer]

CPU with Ivy Bridge core doesn't support 16GB modules.

[japa543]

CPU with Ivy Bridge core doesn't support 16GB modules.

Stock BIOS (P09ABE) probably doesn’t boot with 2×16GB DDR3 — likely due to missing SPD entries for 8Gb DRAM chips.

But I found a possible example that maybe proves Ivy Bridge "can" handle 2×16GB — if the BIOS allows it.

The EUROCOM Monster 1.0 (Clevo W110ER) has:
- Intel Core i7-3940XM
- HM76 chipset
- 2×SO-DIMM slots
- Official support for 32GB DDR3-1600/1866

Sources:

- [Eurocom Monster Configurator](https://eurocom.com/ec/configure%281,228,0%29Monster)
- [Trusted Reviews](https://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/eurocom-monster)

If this is true, it means that such a possibility exists and the problem could indeed lie in the BIOS.
Official information about limits at that time might have been due to the fact that 16GB RAM modules were very rare back then.
In my previous NP355V5C, for example, I also could not find information about support for 32GB of RAM in two slots.
Even AMD Richland (A10-5750M) can run 32GB DDR3 in 2 slots — I’ve tested it myself. So Ivy Bridge maybe should be capable too, if the BIOS allows it.

I will try in the next few days to reassemble my old np355v5c, where 32GB of RAM worked on 2 modules, and I will check the information about the P09AAN BIOS
in RWEverything regarding RAM and compare it with what I have in P09ABE. Maybe there's a way to bypass this somehow.

[DeathBringer]

But I found a possible example that maybe proves Ivy Bridge "can" handle 2×16GB — if the BIOS allows it.

No, you didn't. It's impossible.

[japa543]

You're probably right. Unless some crazy person comes along and debunks it. This is my failure as a beginner modder. I couldn't get 32gb of RAM to work in two modules in an np350v5c. I tried tinkering with the BIOS and modding it, perhaps unsuccesfully. I decided to share my knowledge I've gained from my own experience for those who like to benefit.

- You can have 32GB of RAM in two modules with 11 columns and 1,5 voltage in Samsung np355v5c if you first update the BIOS to version P09AAN and then install an AMD A10-5750m processor.

- Samsung 870 Evo 2TB SSD in a native SATA port won't work in np355v5c, but it will work with a bay in a native DVD drive.

- You can install an Intel i7-3940xm processor in a Samsung np350v5c and it will work if you have updated the BIOS to version P09ABE.

- Samsung 870 EVO 2TB SSD work fine in the Samsung np350v5c.

The lesson is, you can't have your cake and eat it too. 

Best regards.

Additional information for anyone interested in such matters. After installing one 8GB RAM stick and the other 16GB, the computer booted. BIOS and Windows only read the 8GB stick, and the second one was listed as uninstalled, as if it weren't there. However, HWinfo read both sticks normally and also read all the information from the 16GB stick, including the manufacturer, voltage etc. RWeverything also read the information from the 16GB stick. I'm not asking for anything. This information is for those who would like to know why this is happening and what's causing it.