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    16 GB Memory for M14x

    Discussion in 'Alienware 14 and M14x' started by XPS-MANIA, May 7, 2011.

  1. XPS-MANIA

    XPS-MANIA Notebook Geek

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    My M14x is scheduled to arrive very soon and I started buying the upgrades for it.
    Does any manufacturer produce 2 x 8 GB 1600 or 1866 MHz RAM for the M14x?
    Does the 1866 MHz RAM produce any performance advantage on M14x in comparison to 1600 MHz RAM?

    I looked around for 2 x 4GB or 2 x 8GB 1866 MHz RAM but I was unable to find any in stock for sale.
     
    XPS-MANIA, May 7, 2011
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  2. Paddon

    Paddon Notebook Evangelist

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    M8 really ??? Why would you want 16Gb ram ?

    You won't even use 4Gb
     
    Paddon, May 7, 2011
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  3. XPS-MANIA

    XPS-MANIA Notebook Geek

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    I’m using 6.58 GB of the memory right now, as I’m typing this reply.
    More RAM always helps with AutoCAD and other 3D CAD programs.
     
    XPS-MANIA, May 7, 2011
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  4. Paddon

    Paddon Notebook Evangelist

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    Ah right fair enough, cad does use alot... I know you can get 16GB because the m11x r3 can be customised with it
     
    Paddon, May 7, 2011
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  5. Alatar

    Alatar Notebook Guru

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    Don't forget people that ramdrive stuff! What you can actually use ramdrive for nowadays...who knows...
     
    Alatar, May 7, 2011
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  6. EviLCorsaiR

    EviLCorsaiR Asura

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    16GB of RAM would be stupidly expensive and quite frankly even with CAD and other high-RAM programs, I'd expect 8GB to be plenty.

    You will see absolutely no benefit from any RAM faster than 1600MHz, partly because the differece in RAM speed makes little difference when it's already running this fast, but mostly because no processor available for the M14x supports anything above 1600MHz. Any RAM running faster than 1600Mhz will be underclocked to 1600MHz. (Even that is presuming you ordered with an upgraded CPU; the 2630QM can only go up to 1333MHz RAM!)
     
    EviLCorsaiR, May 7, 2011
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  7. sk3tch

    sk3tch Notebook Deity

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    Actually, that's false.

    Using the latest Kingston HyperX (that have Sandy Bridge plug n play XMP) the system will automatically take advantage of the fastest speed. Despite what processor you're running. Advantage? Perhaps not a huge amount. But there is a lot of misinformation going around in this forum.

    See pics here:
    Kingston HyperX 8GB 1866MHz PnP Memory Kit For Notebooks - The Test System - Legit Reviews

    I have a pair of 1866 coming...figured I'd give it a shot since it is only $50 more than the 1600.
     
    sk3tch, May 7, 2011
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  8. FlipBack

    FlipBack Notebook Evangelist

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    Wait, will my RAM (stock from dell) run at 1600Mhz if I get the 2630QM or do I need the 2720QM?
     
    FlipBack, May 7, 2011
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  9. XPS-MANIA

    XPS-MANIA Notebook Geek

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    Where did you purchase the 1866 MHz from? I couldn’t find any online store selling these.
     
    XPS-MANIA, May 7, 2011
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  10. sk3tch

    sk3tch Notebook Deity

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    Direct from Kingston. They are backordered until 5/10 but everyone else is sold out and I figure Kingston will get them first. :)
     
    sk3tch, May 7, 2011
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  11. Paddon

    Paddon Notebook Evangelist

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    any processor above 2630QM will use all 1600Mhz

    but the 2630QM will not be able to use it all
     
    Paddon, May 7, 2011
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  12. EviLCorsaiR

    EviLCorsaiR Asura

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    The M14x supports XMP? I wasn't aware; very few notebooks do.

    Fair enough. Nevertheless you will see virtually no real benefit of 1866MHz RAM over 1600MHz or even 1333MHz.
     
    EviLCorsaiR, May 7, 2011
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  13. DJ3xclusive

    DJ3xclusive Notebook Enthusiast

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    Dell said it only supports up to 8GB DDR3 RAM. Can anyone confirm this? Looks like 16GB Ram is outta the question :/
     
    DJ3xclusive, May 7, 2011
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  14. sk3tch

    sk3tch Notebook Deity

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    Incorrect.

    Page 59 of the manual. And yes, you will see benefits. Perhaps only a few frames in games...but every frame counts. Not the best bang/buck you could argue.
     
    sk3tch, May 7, 2011
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  15. Paddon

    Paddon Notebook Evangelist

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    why is this incorrect ? Only the base processor cant use all the rams speed
     
    Paddon, May 7, 2011
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  16. sk3tch

    sk3tch Notebook Deity

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    Because:
    A) You can change the RAM's speed in the BIOS to whatever you like (that is compatible). I have mine set to 1600.
    B) Because using XMP, you can buy compatible Sandy Bridge RAM (i.e. the HyperX Sandy Bridge PnP stuff) and it will auto-adjust to the RAM's max speed (1600, 1866, etc.).
     
    sk3tch, May 7, 2011
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  17. Paddon

    Paddon Notebook Evangelist

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    Oh ok sorry, my bad then :D
     
    Paddon, May 7, 2011
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  18. FlipBack

    FlipBack Notebook Evangelist

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    Sweet! Cause I really don't want to spend the money on a processor upgrade...too much.
     
    FlipBack, May 7, 2011
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  19. Daht88

    Daht88 Notebook Enthusiast

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    So because XMP utilizes the RAM's fastest frequency, it will definitely push the 1866mhz RAM to it's full potential? Just making sure...

    And does the m14x support 16gb of RAM or not? I don't care if it's useless or unnecessary, I just want to know if it's supported.
     
    Daht88, May 31, 2011
    #19
  20. Karamazovmm

    Karamazovmm Overthinking? Always!

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    actually thats not quite the reason. Indeed the Bios plays its part on the xmp. However the controller for the memory is located in the cpu die itself, and that is where the ram speed will be affected or not, this was done before by the northbridge.

    Now that we know where the thing comes from, we ought to know that the cpus in the intel line up are basically divided by the binning, in the sense that the higher quality ones are the top, and the lower quality.... so the 2630qm will support the memory since the memory controller is there, and its the same
     
    Karamazovmm, May 31, 2011
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  21. Gearsguy

    Gearsguy Notebook Deity

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    Gearsguy, May 31, 2011
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  22. c1ro

    c1ro Notebook Consultant

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    erm.....DDR2 5300?
     
    c1ro, May 31, 2011
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  23. Tsukurimashou

    Tsukurimashou Notebook Evangelist

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    DDR2...
    499€...
    I loled
     
    Tsukurimashou, May 31, 2011
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  24. humjaba

    humjaba Notebook Consultant

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    If you're doing CAD heavy enough to use 16gb of ram, the GT555m is not going to cut it.
     
    humjaba, Jun 1, 2011
    #24