What is the best RAM for the 2630QM??

Ordering RAM from newegg soon. Since I am not all that tech savy with laptops, was hoping you enlightened ones can shed some needed light on my current situation.

I would like to upgrade form the 4GB to 8-16GB or RAM. So I ask this, what brand, type, grade(idk lol) is the best for Alienware.

 

32GB is max. Not sure if there are 8GB sticks availble. Most people use kingston.

 

The kingston hyperX 1600Mhz would be the best as of now.

 

I thought the 1600 MHz can't be used with the 2630

 

It can. If you have an R3, you can set the 1600Mhz in the bios thru xmp profiles.

 

Everything I have read states that the 2630 does not support 1600MHz. The ram will work, but at 1333MHz, regardless of what you do to the BIOS. This is one of the reasons to upgrade to the 2720.

 

What do you mean? I have the 2630qm and it runs with the 1600Mhz. Not on 1333Mhz.

 

Copy/Paste from Intel site, product comparison, side by side.
Processor Number i7-2630QM i7-2720QM
Launch Date Q1'11 Q1'11
# of Cores 4 4
# of Threads 8 8
Clock Speed 2.00 GHz 2.20 GHz
Max Turbo Frequency 2.90 GHz 3.30 GHz
Cache 6.0 MB 6.0 MB
Instruction Set 64-bit 64-bit
Lithography 32 nm 32 nm

Memory Specifications
Max Memory Size
(dependent on memory type) 8 GB 8 GB
Memory Types DDR3-1066/1333 DDR3-1066/1333/1600
# of Memory Channels 2 2
Max Memory Bandwidth 21.3 25.6

 

That's from intel. I was saying you can still use the 1600Mhz with the 2630qm. I am using it right now. If you don't believe me. Your choice. Read this smartypants. http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/560044-m17x-r3-overclocking-sort.html

 

Typecast is right. You CAN use 1600Mhz ram if you set it that in bios. If you don't want to mess around with that, then you can just plug it in and it will automatically downclock to 1333Mhz.

Regardless though, I would advocate the 2720qm because it is quite a good price/performance (+500Mhz turbo, and +200Mhz base) plus native 1600 ram support

 

I have learned so much in 2 minutes... LMFAO!

So.. All I gotta do is buy the RAM, install it, and then just make my setting's like his in that screen shot?

It cant be THAT simple.. can it? :F

 

You are correct.

 

Sorry for the misinformation, sort of. And hey, no need to call me smartypants!
All over this board (of which I have learned a lot!) users stated that it did not support 1600MHz. I did not think of "overclocking". So, my apologies. Heck, just 10 minutes ago, this was posted:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/568195-2720qm-2820qm-2.html

 

Sorry bout that. Also stressed out here in work.

 

guys I have a question about kingston ram, I notice from pictures that they seem to cover the actual ram chips with some sort of branding label and call it Hyper-x, does anyone actually know whether the ram they use is any different to anyone elses, does it perform better, does it cost more, is it cleaver marketing, is there any firm evidence that it is better than ...............is it just a quality thing where you know it's top dog regardless of any of the above questions.

genuine questions in the search for understanding

 

It's just a heatsink. It will help cool the temps of the memory chips.

 

well that doesn't really enlighten me or answer any of my questions lol

there must be more

 

Its still the same ram with cool heatsinks on.

 

lol, I thought as much

 

No problem Typecast. I am new to the gaming laptop scene. This site has been a wealth of information.

 

Lots of good information!

Thanks guys!

 

I cant make up my mind if i should buy 8 or 16gb of ram. Any thoughts ?

 

Just get the stock 4gb ram and do an aftermarket upgrade.

 

8gb is good 16gb or 32gb - you'll probably never notice the difference unless doing specific stuff that likes ram and uses it

 

I assume that you are buying aftermarket? I hope so, Dell wants way too much.
Do you get squeemish taking apart a laptop? To go 16, you have to get under the keyboard. Joebarchuck has a good video on youtube if you want to check it out.
I have opted to just do 2 sticks of 4GB (8 total). Getting at the ram underneath is easy.
I can always add 2 more sticks if I need to. I will see how it goes.

 

Will I actually see a difference between the Hyper X 8GB and regular 8GB??

 

anyone got a link as to where to buy the 16gb hyperx kit?

 

So you are all basically saying the 2630QM supports 1600Mhz profiles even though Intel themselves said it's impossible? Memory clocks are controlled by the CPU now as of Core i series. If it does work then Intel is lying because it is not possible from the proc specs.

 

this is a question I have asked myself, but people here have claimed the 1600 ram works with the 2620 cpu, I'm not saying that - just what some people have posted.

 

Hey guys, just got an email from NewEgg and they got stock in the Hyper X 8GB RAM sticks now.

 

People? 1 guy said he got it to work..

 

What do you mean 1? Me and kune got it to work. I don't see why others cant do the same.

 

I believe you.


But before dropping $100+ for some 8GB RAMS sticks.. Is there a way to get a picture of your lappy confirming you are running at 1600??

 

Ofcourse! I will do it for you guys. Will post it when I get home.

 

Awesome man!

Is there a noticeable difference between the 1333 and 1600?

 

Uhh. That I cant say. But I'm sure it will have some advantages.

 

Im sorry. I cannot find kunekaden saying the same in this thread. Anyhow, could you post a screenshot of CPUZ of the speed the RAM is running on? I didn`t know you could go over what the CPU supports

You won`t notice anything other than if you are benchmarking it from what i have seen with tests

 

Sure, Will do that when I get home. Here, kunekaden is the one who taught me how to use my 2630qm on 1600Mhz ram settings. Check this out: http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/560044-m17x-r3-overclocking-sort.html

 

Thanks Wait a minute there! You are overclocking the CPU? If so that makes sense why you get higher RAM speed

 

Nooo. I dont think there is a overclocking feature for the sandy bridge released for our r3's now. It's just on the overclocking section of the bios settings. Although im not that sure. Im sure kune can answer our questions.

EDIT: Found this also. http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/559613-best-aftermarket-ram-m17x-r3.html

 

is this the HyperX memory everyone gets?

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

 

Yeap. That's the one.

 

quick question...you have 8gb....is that 2 4gb sticks? if so when you use only 2 sticks......do they go in front (under keyboard) or back of laptop? or does it matter?

 

Thought they usually go in the back because they are easier to access.

And thanks Typecast! Ordering soon!

 

Yeap. The hyperx i bought is 2x4gb. The stock 4gb ram is under the system not the keyboard so its easy to replace. Don't mix the stock ram with the hyperx 1600Mhz or else you cant run it 1600Mhz settings.

 

Thank you for the link. Can anyone explain why you can get the RAM to run @1600 MHz when the CPU specs say it does not support it? I can understand that you can put 1600 RAM inside but it downclocks to 1333 MHz.

And thanks for the screenshot. Now i believe you

 

yeah thats what i was wondering too. when i order mine.with only 4gb (2 dimms) where is it? thanks for that answer as well. i like the term "easy to replace"

 

Finally! A believer. LOL. Yup, I am also confused about that. Intel sucks at giving us more information. I just think that the 2630qm doesn't natively support it but you can run it anyway through bios.

It would be under your system. Your welcome dude!

 

You talking about where is the RAM located at?

Alienware M17X R3 Swapping RAM - Easy guide on changing RAM on the M17X R3

 

i know where the 2 sets are, thanks LOL i was wondering where the OEM 4gb set was installed at front or back.......................