M17x RAM Questions

Like 'nar, I too have POST error with Corsair Vengeance 1866 RAM (16GB (4x4GB)) on R4 . I changed the RAM voltage to 1.55 but still fail diagnostic when Frequency is set to Auto or 1867. However, no problem after setting Frequency at 1600 with 1.55V.

 

I'm setting the Frequency at 1600 and get it work as well... I wouldn't buy the 1866 RAM if I knew it won't post...

 

I have 2x2 gb hynix 1600 ram running in dual channel with the 11.11.11.28 timing
I would like to buy other 2x4 gb ram .. should I pick the ones with the best timing as they will run together in the slots under the keyboard ?

or they will be down-clocked any way to the stock timing ??

also the voltage .. should I stick to the stock ram 1.5 voltage or get something with different voltage for the same timing ??

in other words
considering all have the same price ..
which do you recommend ?

AMD 11.11.11.28 1.5v (g.skill or samsung)
A-data 9.9.9.24 1.35v
corsair 9.9.9.24 1.5v

 

I would go with the Corsair. It's going to be slowed down to the stock Hynix timing, but it gives you the possibility of upgrading the stock modules to 9-9-9-24 should you decide to add additional memory later. May be unlikely, but if the price is the same, why not preserve the option. I would stay with the 1.5v memory for consistency, but honestly have had no experience with mixing memory modules using different voltage.

 

scientifically I was thinking this way ..
but..
won't a 11.11.11.28 ram perform better .. less complications ?

I wouldn't like the conflicts of the unmatched timing (if any, other than down-clocking)
also I wouldn't like the instability of Hynix running at different timing (if present)

greetings sir,

 

Well, certainly using memory with identical timing is the more conservative approach and cannot be faulted. The performance should be exactly the same either way. The only benefit or advantage of the faster Corsair is contingent.

 

this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233241
and this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233242

shouldn't packages save more !! .. or is there any advantage for the dual kit ??
wouldn't any two singles run in dual channel mode ??

if any of you could find 200 000 customers he can make his first million off newegg

 

Saw that Newegg has a promo on the Corsair Vengeance 8GB RAM modules and am contemplating on getting a couple. My plan was to originally get two pairs of the Kingston HyperX 4GB modules and upgrade my system to 16GB, but at this price I could buy two of the Corsair 8GB modules for less and end up with 20GB (extra 4GB from the modules in there already). I was wondering if anyone has any experience with the Corsair modules? Might be a good deal for people to jump on.


Newegg.com - CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Laptop Memory Model CMSX8GX3M1A1600C10


Newegg.com - Kingston HyperX 8GB (2 x 4GB) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Laptop Memory Model KHX1600C9S3K2/8GX

 

I've 2x4GB Vengeance in right now and they are working just fine. Had to RMA my first set. I have a second set on its way right now, so I'll end up with 16GB total. I would probably take out the 4GB you already have (are they running at 1600MHz?) and just run the 16GB on it's own. You could always upgrade to 32GB later on, but that's a bit of an overkill.

 

Just to supplement what's been said, if you're running Windows 7 Home Premium, it'll only support up to 16GB. If you're running Professional or Ultimate then all's good as the limit for them is 192GB.

 

Will 1866 MHz.Hyperx work in an R4? Thanks

 

It will work, but keep in mind, the memory controller is on the CPU die in modern processors, and Ivy Bridge, like Sandy Bridge, only supports 1600Mhz memory. While it will work, you will not see any benefit over 1600Mhz, except that you probably could actually run it at 1600Mhz and tighten the timings tighter that stock. If you can even adjust memory timings, I don't know, I haven't looked.

 

I think the 1866 ram will run via XMP profiles in the bios...choose XMP profile 2

i will go out on a limb and say there isn't much benefit to any ram faster than 1066. 1600 looks great on paper but isn't any faster in terms of real performance compared to 1333 ram and only slightly more beneficial compared to 1066 ram

 

If you get the HyperX PnP greys then it will run without any bios change. I have Limited Edition 1866Mhz XMP ones but they were unstable at 9-9-9-27 so I needed to tweak them to 9-10-9-27 @1.65v and it's super quick and stable.

Bottom line, Blu rams will need XMP 2 in the bios, Greys ones are Plug N' Play.

 

Hi guys sorry if this is a repost..I tried reading through the whole post but couldn't get a proper answer so here it goes. So I got a corsair vengance kit (2*4gb) 1600 MHz . Installed them on the two slots where the standard memory came in and booted up. Log in to windows no issues but a day later I get bsod and when I check for memory diagnostics get errors. Swap back the old ram no issue. Then I tried testing with single sticks no issues in slot 2 but in slot 1 I get errors saying "limit exceeded" . Put back the factory ram no issues. What's going on? Please help. Thanks guys

 

Do you get errors in slot 1 with both Corsair sticks?

 

At first 2-nd Gen i-7 CPUs use 1866Mhz RAM and most likely even higher (2133).

Second is that HyperX is not the only option. In fact Corsair Vengeance is even faster than HyperX. I just don't get why HyperX is STILL so much popular? I know that it was the first 1600 and 1866 RAM but Corsair took time to create reliable RAM. Do you remember RMA rate of HyprX at the beginning?

I suggest to buy 2 of these Newegg.com - CORSAIR Vengeance 4GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Laptop Memory Model CMSX4GX3M1A1600C9

or if you want faster one then this Newegg.com - CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1866 Laptop Memory Model CMSX8GX3M2A1866C10

 

thanks for the reply. Yes I get the same error in slot one for both sticks. My default was 6gb (2gb+4gb). the 2gb stick was in slot 1. so I thought that was the issue saying "limit exceeded" so I tried the factory 4gb stick on slot 1 no issues tried resetting mobo power still the same. I don't wan't to remove the keyboard trying the other two slots only to find me having the same issue again.

 

This knowledge is way too old. I have already spoke with people who just are not well informed about what they are talking about. But everyone who gets faster RAM understands me then. See РЕЦштпТгеэы post here http://forum.notebookreview.com/har...600-2133-beyond-jedec-xmp-40.html#post8555718

I recently watched how performs Macbook Pro 13" with 2nd Gen I-7. He had 2x2Gb 1333 Samsung. Hiw bench test shew 4.2 average fps on DandAndDrag while 1 stick if 1866 shew 7.3 fps. And it was on single channel!!! So even latency is so much useful! When he put 2 sticks he had 9.2 fps. It is over 100% performance boost!

Looks like your mobo problem. Update to the latest BIOS available. if you haven't done yet. Then if nothing helps put RAM under keyboard's slots. I assume either settings problems or slot's problems.

 

[\QUOTE]Looks like your mobo problem. Update to the latest BIOS available. if you haven't done yet. Then if nothing helps put RAM under keyboard's slots. I assume either settings problems or slot's problems.[/QUOTE]

thanks for the reply. I already tried with the BIOS update still no luck. I'm trying my best no to touch the slots under the keyboard. I don't wanna cause any unwanted issue. will I be able to get tech support for this ? we are allowed to do our own upgrades yeah?
this should have been an easy swap but its turning out to be another frustration for me.

 

Just a quick question, is 8GB enough for someone who is just gaming and watching movies or should I upgrade to 12GB?

I noticed that a lot of people have 16-32GB and only a few have 8 Gigs.

 

Depends on the games you are playing. I've seen SC2 balloon up to 4 GB RAM by itself with those insane custom maps. I have to find a screenshot of me playing TF2 and SC2 with 25 Firefox tabs, I had 13.4 GB RAM used up.

 

I have 8Gb and I barely up half of it. Normal usage is only around 2.5 and during gaming is around 4.5 to 5. So personally, I'm perfectly fine with 8Gb.

 

I have 22GB of ram but that's partly because I use VMWare which can suck up a nice chunk of ram and when I am playing Diablo 3 I load all the game data into ram to speed access time so it doesn't cause micro-studders. Yes I know that an SSD would resolve that and I will work that detail out once my gift cards show up from Dell.

 

Hello,

I've installed 4x4gb in my Alienware m17x r3. When I look in the manual 4x4gb is not supported. ( http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/Alw_M17xR3/en/mm/mm_en.pdf)

Sometimes I get the following BSODs: SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED 0x7E and SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION 0x3B

When I try to test them each individually with Memtest86 no errors show up.

 

Both those codes come up as possible graphics driver faults first, then mismatched or faulty memory second (I just searched each one on google). Have you tried running all the RAM modules together in Memtest86+? Your OP states you tested them individually. Another thing to try is the PSA (Pre-boot System Assessment). You hit F12 at startup and select DIAGNOSTICS from the list. This will test your processor and motherboard as well as the RAM. Its pretty reliable when it comes to checking the hardware for errors. I wouldn't put much stock into the R3 manual saying 4x4GB not being supported. The R2 manual state the R2s are not compatible with 2x8GB...yet, many R2 users are running 2x8GB no problem.

 

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. I also tested it with all 4 together in Memtest86. Then I get one error inmediately in the first run. (Test4)

 

There all the same brand/model/speed yes?

 

Yes they are all the same:
Corsair SO-DIMM - 4GB 1333MHz PC3-10600 DDR3 - 204 pin - 1,5V - CL9

 

Run 2x4GB and try memtest86+. If the first two check out, then try the second two. All's were trying to do is narrow down the possibilities to if the RAM modules themselves are bad or is the BIOS/Chipset just totally incompatible with 4x4GB.

 

I will try this. I will update you with the results within the next few days.

 

I tried to test it in pairs of 2.. But no errors. When I try them all 4 then the errors are back again.

Do I need to buy 2 x 8 GB ? Which brand and type of ram memory is best compatible.

 

Corsair is the most widely reported on manufacturer of RAM for this laptop, but I do not recall others having issues with memory from elsewhere. I did not see a definitive mention in that manual precluding the use of 4x4GB RAM, but it was conspicuously missing from the chart. I would guess that it has something to do with the number of "ranks" that the memory has. Maybe the 4GB sticks have too many ranks. More ranks gives more performance, but the CPU can only address a limited number of ranks at a time. This could be why only the 4GB sticks are able to hit 1866 as well.

I got too much RAM, because it was easier to add more than set the timings down from 1866. My R4 does not like 1866 speeds. If I had decided on 16GB to begin with I would have just gotten 2x8@1600.

 

hi, at the moment i got 4x2GB (screen from CPU-Z below), I want upgrade a little bit and I decide to add 2x8GB f.e. Corsair 2x8GB, 1600MHz DDR3, CL11, Unbuffered, SODIMM
I want to left one set 2x2GB and add 2x8GB and I don't know does it matter if I put 2x8GB to connectors DIMM 1,2 or 3,4.


PS Does it normal that Frequency, Latency are different between JEDEC columns?

 

I'm pretty sure that the bigger modules will have a higher latency, but don't quote me on that.

 

I used 2x4GB 1866 Corsair RAM, which didn't work unless a slower module was also installed which forced a slower speed. I ended up installing 2x8GB 1600 RAM like you want and it works fine. I do not recall the specs now, but I am pretty sure I checked when I installed them and determined that the pairs need to be on the same side of the motherboard. It only makes sense that way anyway. So I have 16GB on the top under the keyboard and 8 underneath.

The only issue I see would be the number of ranks. RAM has usually 1, 2, or 4 ranks, and the chipset can only support a certain number of ranks, say 12 for example. So if you use quad-ranked memory, the last stick would not be seen. This is usually not an issue with consumer builds, but it comes up frequently on servers. I do see problems with RAM modules that do not work together, and it is more common when they are more than one capacity level apart. 2GB modules work with 1GB modules, but not with 512MB modules. Those 512MB modules will also work with the 1GB module. So 2GB and 8GB modules have a higher chance of not working together. Also, more ranks are used to increase memory as well as transfer rates. So, high speed ram of 2GB size may be quad-ranked for speed, and 8GB modules may be quad-ranked for capacity, whereas 4GB would just be dual-ranked.

Sorry that I don't have much more than speculation, but I hope it helps. On a practical note, just try it and see. That's what I did.

 

Thanx, nar. I will order 2x8GB and try to put it on bottom, then I check if 2GB and 8GB modules works together.

 

Hi!
Can some one explaine me such thing....
I'm trying to set higher Bus speed in M17x R4 bios, but in the field can be entered only 9954 or 11002 (haven't tried the second one, cos it must be too high ) My CPU is 3720qm.
Why so?