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    quick ram upgrade question.

    Discussion in 'Alienware 14 and M14x' started by tarsus, Nov 3, 2011.

  1. tarsus

    tarsus Notebook Enthusiast

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    I've read couple threads about ram upgrading, and wanna order my chips today.
    Still remember though, that at some point it was better to install two identical chips (2x4GB) for proper dual-chaneling, instead of 1x8GB - does that still apply, or doesn't matter really?
    My choice is 8GB HyperX grey chips 1600MHz... unless there is any better?
    (stock alien m14 with 2630)
     
    tarsus, Nov 3, 2011
    #1
  2. niko2021

    niko2021 Notebook Evangelist

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    Whether or not you have dual channel ram is really not very noticeable. I have 6 gigs of ram, a 4 gb and a 2 gb chip, and i cant really see the difference from other dual channel ram systems. I've never seen a 8 gb ddr3 ram chip for a notebook, but im guessing they're probably more expensive than 2x4 gb sets. Just stick with the set.
     
    niko2021, Nov 3, 2011
    #2
  3. SlickDude80

    SlickDude80 Notebook Prophet

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    you do realize that even with 4gig + 2gig sticks, you're running dual channel, right?

    The memory controller is smart enough that the first 2 gigs of the 4 gig stick is run in dual channel (along with the 2gig stick). The addition 2 gigs from the 4 gig stick is run in single channel :D
     
    SlickDude80, Nov 3, 2011
    #3
  4. RioRyan

    RioRyan Notebook Consultant

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    RioRyan, Nov 3, 2011
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  5. tarsus

    tarsus Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks guys for the reply - and haven't seen 8G chips, yeah.
    So 2x4GB will be the choice... now gotta find it. Thought it's gonna be easy but not as easy as I thought :)
    Is there a point of buiyng 1866 instead of 1600?
    Thanks
     
    tarsus, Nov 3, 2011
    #5
  6. alroar

    alroar Notebook Consultant

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    nope. maybe our windows experience index might increase by 0.1. But you will most likely not notice it in any app or game.
     
    alroar, Nov 5, 2011
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  7. joegreen1967

    joegreen1967 Notebook Evangelist

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    It exist's! My brother just put it in his MBP,I was gonna steal it,But he came home before I could grab it and try it in my pc.LOl,Just Kidding,but he did get it at new egg.It's real expensive though.I got the plug and play hyper x 1866,It works great and I don't feel a huge difference from stock 1600mgz,Tbh.My bro got it cuz he does alot of the typical mac require lotsa ram,video work.He claims a big difference,and his MBP is a Sb I7,like my xps.
     
    joegreen1967, Nov 5, 2011
    #7