M17X R3 RAM Swapping Guide

I know a lot of you asked the question on how to change the RAM on the M17X R3 especially the one below the keyboard well here is a video guide.

That's the best I can do on such short notice but in this video you have all the details needed to swap the RAM.

Hope this helps a few:

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Yey!!!! finally!!! Thanks Joebarchuck!
+ Rep

 

I did not realize but I was playing music when doing all this. This sucks because now I realize Youtube may take my video down. If they do I will just edit the soundtrack to remove the music.

 

In the video setting of youtube just add some basic self made sound clip and override the backround music

 

Yeah I'll do that.

 

Thanks for the vid, helped me solve my keyboard corner issue

+Rep

 

Lol I think I messaged you when I was doing this. Figured it out but this video would have helped me lol. I also changed the wifi card.

 

I uploaded a new one with no copyright issues, I updated the link in the original thread so we should be ok.

 

Excellent guide +1

Before I spend more money on RAM, and in some way I got 16GB for the price of 8GB as stock. I really want to have a go at modifying the SPD table to allow a 1600MHz XMP setting on the stock RAM if the EEPROM allows it.
If successful, I will post a modified SPD configuration available for everyone, providing that they have the same stock RAM type as what I will be working on.

Two things:

1. Can you take a photo and/or post what chip are on your stock modules, if they are of the 4GB size.

2. Most importantly can you take a SPD dump of the HyperX RAM and I will see if I can modify the stock RAM to act like HyperX, within reason of course.

 

Just fixed my little keyboard issue. Had a question for you; How did you lift up the frame around the keyboard? I could only get the effected corner up but it was bending like it'd snap if I pulled on it any more. In the video you started to go at it but then skipped to it being off. I guess you had the same issues?

 

I'll work on that for you in the next few days. My stock RAM modules were 2Gb each though

 

Actually I did not have any issues but it took a long time because it was my first time. I did it three times since then and it was very quick.

You just have to pull it gently from different corners and try to put your fingers under it pushing it up instead of pulling it.

Let me know if that works for you.

 

Problem was already fixed by just getting that corner up and then back in.. I was just curious.

 

Glad you did not break anything. Maybe I'll change the wording on the video at this part. It just takes so much time to make those videos...

 

Just stick an annotation over it

 

Man, that's one studly and manly man in OP-man's post. Who is he, and what is his powerlevel?

Thanks for the video, mang. You're a savior to many of us

 

Some where asking me how does the 8Gb config come stock:

It is 4 modules of 2Gb each which is a complete rip off as it sales on Newegg for $120.

I am not sure why I actually bought it especially knowing that I was going to upgrade it...

Anyways, it is 4 modules of 2Gb each.

 

especially since u can go 1600 instead of 1333 ^^ depending on your processor of course

 

In New Zealand, the website and my quotes I recieved stated 2x 4GB modules for the 8GB model.

Here we only have two options to choose from:
8GB = 2x 4GB
16GB = 4x 4GB

Alienware M17x Laptop Details | Dell New Zealand


In USA options for RAM are plently, but I did notice on the Dell USA site the config is as below. Yep holding back on giving people a decent size module to cut costs:
4GB = 2x 2GB
6GB = 1x 2GB and 1x 4GB
8GB = 4x 2GB
16GB = 4x 4GB

 

Okay, to finalize once and for all:

My stock ram will be 1333 2x2gb right? So how can I get 1600?

-Can I just go to the BIOS and do the XMP thing to get 1600?
-Can I combine new/additional 1333 with stock 1333 and use the XMP thing to turn them ALL (2new sticks with 2stock sticks) to 1600?
-Or do I have to buy brand new 1600 ram and trash the stock ones?

-For whatever the answer may be, what's the cheapest way (and which speed ram to buy) for me (I will have the 2720) to run ram at 1600 @c7?

I've read this thread and post: http://forum.notebookreview.com/7224924-post42.html, but still don't really understand it.

Please advise. TYIA

 

I dont think these have an xmp profile for 1600mhz (The stock RAM, I mean). I'm not sure if the BIOS allows you to overclock it at all but that would be how you did it.

It isn't recommended to mix and match RAM.. I just wouldn't do it.

Best bet is to just get the 2x 4gb Kingston HyperX on Newegg for $90 or whatever it is now and stick with that... It's going to be the easiest, smoothest, and cheapest way to do it IMO.

 

I don't believe you can overclock the stock RAM.

 

Is HyperX RAM that much better I all ready have 16gb of stock ram. will i see a big improvement if i switch to HyperX RAM ?

 

No. No one will notice Any Difference unless they run memory benchmarks and then very minor.

Go to The Tech Report - PC Hardware Explored and search for an article specific to ram upgrades and sandybridge. I put the actual link on this forum a couple of weeks ago if you want to search here as well...

 

Thanks i will wait then untill they come out with 8gb sticks so i can max out to 32gb

 

In this post here, he comments on running ram at 1600 @c7: http://forum.notebookreview.com/7224924-post42.html
Please review, and let me know what are my options (keeping in mind my previous post).

Thx!

 

Hey Jobar were wires or something stuffed under your keyboard? I've noticed it looks like the middle of my keyboard is very slightly sticking up (I mean by a TINY amount)

I was going to take the keyboard off and search around after I got the frame off but saw another set of screws and I didn't have anything within reach that was small enough. Said screw it and just put it back together.

Also the specific keys I AM seeing this on is between f6 and f7 and numbers 6 and 7.

 

The only reason I get the HyperX RAM is for benchmarking otherwise it's probably not the best investment...

 

^^Bump for this.

Also, if I were to just want to upgrade and add to the existing ram, what ram should I buy? Brand and speed please. Thx!

 

Yeah mine is the same, it is sticking up a bit. If you watch the video when I take apart the keyboard there are two connectors, one small one for the lights on the left and the main one in the center. I don't believe this is the reason for the keyboard sticking up a bit in the middle though.

 

The truth is the RAM upgrade from stock is just a luxury and if you are not planning on benchmarking regularly, it is a waste of money unless you are increasing your total RAM from 4Gb stock to 8Gb or more.

I would recommend the KHX1600C9S3K2 from Kingston. You can find it here: M17X R3 Aftermarket RAM

 

Ah. You're totally right. Plus, I have no idea how fast 4gb is yet. I've been on 1gb for the longest time, and only recently upgraded to 2gb, only cuz my gf's brother had some laying around, so I chucked them into my dinodesktop. No diff, really.

 

If you are going to mainly use your PC for gaming then 4Gb is going to be enough.

If you are going to use it for photoshop, dreamwaver and other RAM intensive apps I would strongly recommend going to 8Gb.

 

Just want to say thank you for such a clear well done video. Your instructions were great, the way you shot the video was amazing. I love your table and am extremely jealous of that set up. I am also in awe at how well and quickly you did it. You have given me alot of confidence in changing the ram in my system.

 

It's easy, Dell made it really easy. I am happy with the design of this laptop external and especially internal.

I actually used double side take to stick the camera to the ceiling. I used a 2X zoom... LOL I found that was the best angle...

 

^^This. They won't let me rep you twice, though, Joe

 

Im a bit new to this. SO w/ 2820qm and 2x 4g hyper x ... should i chose profile 1 and set the frequency manually or select profile 2 nd leave everything else be ... I want best performance

 

You can set to 1600 and then select profile 1.

 

Awesome video. Really one of the best I have seen. +rep. Now if I someone would do one of repasting CPU GPU I could die happy.

 

I might make one this weekend depending on my mood... LOL

Though given the temps of the 6970M I doubt it is needed.

 

You can never be too cool.

 

sorry to dig up an old thread guys, but figured it would save starting a new one.

My question is this: I'm planning on upgrading the stock ram on an M17X R3 (I've chosen just to get 4gb stock as this was the cheapest option) to 8GB Kingston HyperX 1866mhz. I've read that once you've put it in, you need to edit the BIOS to get it to work at 1866mhz. Now I've also read that if you buy the "plug n play" version of the Kingston HyperX ram, then this editing of the BIOS is unnecessary, and seeming the processor I've chosen is the i7 2820QM, the ram should automatically configure itself to 1866mhz as soon as the laptop is turned on after physically installing the RAM.

Basically, could someone tell me if there is truth in this, that if I buy this RAM here:

Kingston 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1866MHz Plug N Play Hyperx.. | Ebuyer.com

will I need to do anything once its installed, or will it do itself automatically?

One other thing! I've never opened up a laptop before in my life, mostly because I'm not the most tech savvy person when it comes to this stuff. Basically, what precautions do I have to take so that I don't fry my laptop with static, in other words how do I go about grounding myself before installing the RAM on my M17X R3? I've read that you need to leave a power cable in (though turn power off of course) and then you can just touch any metal on the computer to ground yourself, but this isn't going to be possible on the M17X considering its a laptop and won't have a power cable plugged into a socket from which to ground itself.

sorry for the long winded post!

regards

 

It costs $120is for 16GB less than $60 for 8GB. I'm doing 16GB because I anticipate doing some virtual server testing on it. Will also probably take Premiere Pro CS5 (actually whole master suite) off the desktop and use on the laptop. Editing 1080/60p videos. I can't touch the desktop when I get home anymore with the new baby or I get yelled at lol.