Dell Precision M6500 memory configuration...

At the moment, I have 4+4+2+2 GB Ram. Can I make it into 4+4+4+2 GB Ram?

 

I don't see why not. I think everything runs at the speed of the slowest ram or something like that. So if the 2GB is slower than the 4GB sticks, it'll slow down all 14GB to the speed of the 2GB. That's what I was told anyways. I'm not 100% sure about that but I'm sure someone here can confirm.

 

Yes, as long as your machine POSTs and passes a few rounds of memtest, you should be good.

 

Thanks. I will give it a try this weekend. All the RAMs are DDR3 1333mhz. Hope it will work.

 

Well it works 4+4+4+2 GB. What confuses me before was this note on the service manual....

"NOTE: When upgrading or replacing memory modules, you must ensure that the modules are paired and matched in slots A and B first, and then in slots C and D."

I dont know what they mean by "matched". Matched in size or speed. After successfully installing the new RAM. I guessed what they mean by "matched" is in speed.

 

Probably matched by capacity to enable dual channel. Having mixed sizes probably reduces your bandwidth to single channel.

 

Hhm? If thats true, so far I havent notice any difference while working on Revit, Max and Vue at the same time. But I will keep observing.

 

You don't notice the difference because the tangible speed difference between dual and single channel is almost always practically negligible.

Furthermore, in "asynchronous dual-channel" (or whatever it's called), afaik the Intel memory controller should run the balanced amount of memory in dual-channel mode, and rest it in single-channel mode. So even in the rare, rare case you were running an app that DOES have a tangible benefit going from single to dual channel, if you aren't hitting the single-channel memory, you STILL aren't going to notice the difference.

 

If I were you, I would make it (4+4)+(4+4). If the current (2+2) pair is under the keyboard (which is fairly inconvenient to get to, at least to me), why not put a new (4+4) pair in there while you're at it -- not too expensive these days.

 

I'm trying to get to that configuration. Just looking for somebody who will buy my 4 pieces of 2GB 1333. Also trying to get the Intel mini PCIe 310 Series.