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    RAM and SSD Questions

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by tazmission, Apr 30, 2012.

  1. tazmission

    tazmission Notebook Guru

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    I recently ordered an M17x R4 and am looking to upgrade the RAM and put in an SSD myself.

    I've spec'd it with the lowest RAM as it's cheaper to upgrade myself. After reading/searching I am interested in the Kingston HyperX 1866mhz; however descriptions say it's for Sandy Bridge. Will still be compatible with my R4 Ivy Bridge?

    I've also decided on a Crucial M4 SSD. On newegg there are two different versions; SSD1 and SSD2 (plus variations with/without transfer kits). From what I've been able to find SSD1=7mm and SSD2=9.5mm. Which do I want; or will both fit?

    Thanks
     
    tazmission, Apr 30, 2012
    #1
  2. widezu69

    widezu69 Goodbye Alienware

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    Both SSD sizes will fit. And if I were you, I'd go for 1600Mhz ram for maximum stability.
     
    widezu69, Apr 30, 2012
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  3. tazmission

    tazmission Notebook Guru

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    What kind of stability issues have you encountered on 1866mhz?
     
    tazmission, Apr 30, 2012
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  4. widezu69

    widezu69 Goodbye Alienware

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    Not me personally, but other users report BSODs, freezes and general memory errors. 1600Mhz is fine trust me, you will not see a difference I can bet anything you like on that. Stability and minor increase of performance vs Larger increase of unusable performance is a no brainer really.
     
    widezu69, Apr 30, 2012
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  5. tazmission

    tazmission Notebook Guru

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    Okay thanks. My config has 6gb of 1600mhz; guessing 3x2gb sticks. From my understanding the brands of RAM don't need to match; but the speeds do, so one 2gb stick of 1600mhz should do the trick. I feel like I'm in an awkward spot of replacing/upgrading the RAM now.
     
    tazmission, Apr 30, 2012
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  6. widezu69

    widezu69 Goodbye Alienware

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    No the system will only populate 2 or 4 slots. So your system will come in 2+4GB.
     
    widezu69, Apr 30, 2012
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  7. rorkas

    rorkas Notebook Consultant

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    Would it work if I'd add 2x4Gb in addition to existing 6Gb (2+4) to get total of 14Gb or I'd have to replace installed ram with new?
     
    rorkas, May 1, 2012
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  8. SlickDude80

    SlickDude80 Notebook Prophet

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    you mean 12? ... ya, that will work. But you will want to put the 2x2 together and then 2x4 together in adjacent slots if you want dual channel. That's what i did.
     
    SlickDude80, May 1, 2012
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  9. rorkas

    rorkas Notebook Consultant

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    rorkas, May 1, 2012
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  10. SlickDude80

    SlickDude80 Notebook Prophet

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    ya that ram will work. Just keep both 4gig sticks either in the front slots together or the back slots together and the 2 x2 gig sticks in the remaining 2 slots. Keep them paired to maintain dual channel

    There is no draw back.
     
    SlickDude80, May 1, 2012
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  11. rorkas

    rorkas Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks a lot for your help. I wasn't sure about the proper ram placement to keep dual channel.
    +1 rep
     
    rorkas, May 1, 2012
    #11