re: Looking to upgrade the RAM on a relative’s computer. I have a couple questions.

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I'm not sure all RAM does. When I purchased some memory a couple years ago for an HP, the system wouldn't even boot let alone boot at a lower memory speed. The RAM simply wouldn't run at 1.2V. It needed a higher voltage which the MB just couldn't provide so it errored out at boot screen.

I tried Crucial Ballistix 3200Mhz ram. It said it "could" run at a JEDEC default profile but the issue was even at that it required a voltage of 1.35V. So it failed.

I then went with basic Crucial RAM that adhered to JEDEC standards of 3200Mhz at 1.2V and worked perfectly. Many times people want to avoid the standard memory due to the slower timings but getting ram to operate at lower timings and 1.2V is very difficult.

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That's... odd. Did you try multiple kits, or just that one Ballistix kit? I ask because after a quick google, it seems like a common issue for people to run into that JEDEC isn't loading properly on that particular kit, for whatever reason. If you tried multiple kits, again, very odd.

As an example, take this very basic single stick of RAM with an XMP profile: LINK

If you scroll down a touch and then click the "Tech Specs" tab, you'll see that the XMP profile is rated for 3200mhz CAS 16 at 1.35v, but it also lists the base JEDEC profile (labeled SPD) at 2133mhz CAS 15 at 1.2v. I've only installed a handful of RAM kits, but l've literally never had one not initially boot with its base 1.2v JEDEC specs (ignoring bad kits of RAM that don't boot at all, which is a separate issue).