RAM for M6600

Would this RAM be suitable for the M6600 quad core with 4 slots using i7 2720QM Windows 64-Bit:

Kingston HyperX Plug and Play 8GB (2x4GB) 1866MHz

- 8GB (2x4GB)
- 1866MHz Cl11-11-11
- DDR3-1866

If so I would get two kits to give me 16GB RAM in total. Price is GBP108 for a kit of 2 (2x4GB total) from overclockers.co.uk

I know some people say the M6600 only officially supports up to 1,600MHz but I believe the i72720QM can support higher.

According to newegg: Kingston's HyperX PnP memory is programmed with faster frequencies and when 'plugged' into a system using the Sandy Bridge chipset, will automatically 'play' at rated speed in both desktop and notebook PCs - no further BIOS settings required. (Note: PnP implementation is only possible in configurations that include a BIOS that supports the PnP function. Your maximum speed will be determined by your BIOS.)

Does the M6600 support PnP?

Also, if I purchase the M6600 with just 4GB 1333MHz DDR3 Dual Channel (2x2GB) from Dell do I still get 4 active slots for RAM (just two empty ones to begin with) that I can upgrade to either 4x4GB or 4x8GB later?

Thank you.

 

Why do you want "faster" memory? It has no effect in any real life situation so IMO not worth any additional cost over "normal" memory.

 

Basically, as I was looking to buy the M6600 with just 4GB 2x2GB, take them out and replace them with my 16GB 4x4GB of my own, I started looking at which RAM to get. Numerous reviews led me to the Kingston HyperX Plug n Play 8 GB Kit (2x4GB Modules) 1866MHz DDR3 SODIMM Notebook/Netbook Memory 8 Dual Channel Kit (PC3 15000) 204-Pin and the Kingston HyperX Plug n Play 8 GB Kit (2x4GB Modules) 1600MHz DDR3 SODIMM Notebook/Netbook Memory 8 Dual Channel Kit (PC3 12800) 204-Pin.

The latter is very reasonably priced and within machine specs, although many people do report an improvement with the 1866MHz.

This video covers the 1866Mhz:
Futurelooks Reviews the Kingston HyperX Plug and Play 8GB DDR3 1866MHz Notebook Memory Kit - YouTube

BTW - Dell confirmed I can buy the 2x4GB option and will still have the 4 slots available for the upgrade. The laptop will have i7 2720QM Win7-64-Bit.

 

Hello, Slimpower,

My M6600 also came with 4GB RAM, which we (my son actually did it) replaced with 16GB CL9-rated Kingston HyperX PnP that is designed for 1600MHz.

If you were using the i7-2920QM CPU for all-out performance with no cost constraint, 1866MHz could provide a slight benchmark edge.

More realistic suggestion: You might consider ordering a slightly faster processor and/or SSD and use 1600MHz Kingston PnP DRAM. A solid state drive gives you more day-to-day performance return than you will experience with 1866MHz and CL11 latency.

--John

 

Thank you John

Have you been pleased with your HyperX RAM?

I will definitely be getting a SSD and will probably get the Kingston HyperX 2.5 inch 240GB SATA 3 Solid State Drive which has excellent reviews, read/write speeds etc.

Edited: I think you mean the i7-2920XM (rather than the 2920QM) which frankly is too expensive for me. I will be getting the i7-2720QM as there is not sufficient difference between that and the 2820QM.

 

Did you get the HyperX PnP 1866Mhz CL9 work on your m6600 ?

 

Observation and some Questions:

Observation:
- Does it make a difference that the voltage for the Kingston HyperX seems to be 1.65 and the voltage for the 16 GB of 1600 MHz (4X4GB) Micron that shipped with my M6600 has 1.5 voltage? This Micron (and all aftermarket Crucial) 1600 MHz is 11-11-11-28. I see that the Corsair Vengeance 1600 MHz in 4GB or 8GB kits is 9-9-9-24 at 1.5 voltage (which sounds better to me).

Question:
- Please excuse the ignorance behind this question, but will the M6600 take two 8 GB sticks of 1600 MHz RAM - or might it require a maximum of 4 GB per stick at 1600 MHz?

I am thinking of returning my M6600 and ordering one with either the 5010M and/or a 256 SATA3 SSD/750 7200 HDD. I payed Dell around $725 for their 16GB of 4X4GB of Micron 11-11-11-28. If I order my next M6600 with their minimum of 2 GB of 1333 MHz, the difference in price will almost pay the 5010M upgrade from the 4000M. (I play no games, but do use Premiere Pro (CS 5.5) and have needs for parts of AutoDesk, Avid, and MATLAB.)

Question:
- Does everyone here fresh install OS and drivers after putting in aftermarket SSDs? Not sure I trust myself succesfully to do this. Does anyone know the list of 256 SATA3 SSDs that Dell is using now (previous reviews stated Micron M4s, though I imagine Dell might use others). Could anyone who purchased their SSDs through Dell report the SSD models that they received?

 

Do you mean the 256GB mSATA? If not, save yourself some money and buy your own.

I've heard different things regarding the 1600 MHz memory. Some say 16GB max, some say 32GB. I personally have 4x4GB G.Skill 1600 MHz with my 2720QM and it works with no issues. You may want to ask in the owners thread.

Why not reinstall? There is a thread in this very forum dedicated to this topic. You accomplish two things at once, installing a new SATA drive with a clean OS.

IMO I would return/rebuy and get the RAM/SSD elsewhere. Those are high markup/profit items for Dell.