dual channel mode or single with more ram?

Hi,

I bought an alienware m17x r3 finally.

I had to save on the laptop so I do the upgrades myself (SSD and ram).
I have 2 new sticks of ram 1333mhz in total 8gb but I already have 2x2gb 1333mhz in the m17x r3. Is it okay 2 put the 2x4gb sticks under the keyboard so I get 12gb ram? Will dual channel mode still be active?


Thanks

 

LOL I was LITTERALY just going to do research on that issue!!!!! I heard somewhere the best for an i7 is triple channel (2*2*2 2Gb ram). First off, those ports 3&4 need a quad CPU (you probably read it on the sticker) so make sure you didn't take a dual core lol.
And yeah what is dual channel mode? and advantages???
Is it faster to have 2*4 GB of ram, or 3 barrets of 2GB ram memory?

 

I am not 100% sure... but I believe Triple channel applies to PCs. Laptops don't have triple channel access yet.

Depending on your usage of your laptop, I don't belief many use more than 6gb... If you were to do video editing or rendering, then more ram would help.

Since you already have those rams imo just stick them in. It will run 8gigs in dual channel and the rest in single... I could be mistaken there.

 

think that I am just going to install the 8gb under the keyboard so I get 12gb (and I have a 2720QM so that is no problem haha)



unless someone strongly advices against it


@stampy haha funny

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/593679-adding-ram-hdd-m17xr3.html

I conclude that 2x4gb is better than 3x2gb but 3x2gb is better than 1x2gb and 1x4gb. 2x2gb and 2x4gb is better than 2x4gb

 

Yep its like saying 3 > 2 > 1

 

I now have the keyboard and the cover of but I cant seem to put in the ram. In the videos on youtube it looks like the ram slot itself turns so you can put in the ram straight and push it down again. It doesnt really want to move advice?

when I align the ram modules with the lower slot I dont have enough room to push

 

Its not as big of a deal with a dedicated card. I've seen a huge improvement in IGP performance.

 

VERY NICE thread though not finished in my opinion xD !!!! I will probably bump it in a while...
My real problem here is not understanding dual channel more... xD but roughly if we use those ports 3&4 it will kick out the dual channel? or possibly slow down the whole ram on the laptop?

Really in terms of speeds (not amount I could NOT give 2 s**** about having 12 or 16 GB of RaM lol) which is gonna be better?
the two 4GB RAM or the four 2GB RAM? xD
ASSUMING that ALL ram have same freq latency etc...

 

Try to wiggle it a bit until it is align properly then push it down carefully. This was what i did when i had a hard time inserting my ram. Good luck!

 

Yo I'm assuming you decided to put the new RAM in slots 3&4 directly? did you tried switching the ram in the bottom before? (from the video it looks like the exact same procedure).
The thing is you have to put the ram at a certain angle in the black connector thing, then you level it up once connected (watch out also for those two clips, ram is secured once they're in place) good luck
I took my RAM out from the bottom and put it back in, the first one was fairly easy to level back in place, the second one I had to try until it worked, it wouldn't go down at first. Eventually worked though don't break it, don't force it too much !!!

 

i believe the only triple channel i7 where the desktop socket 1366 ones any other core i series cpu are all fitted with a dual channel memory chip so therefore only dual channel ram will actualy work as such.

 

Yes, according to that website
Intel® Core? i7-2760QM Processor (6M Cache, 2.40 GHz))
there is only 2 channels for that processor.
The question remains, will four 2GB RAM be slower than two 4GB RAM?
Or will it be the same speed? (Also let's assume for argument sake that we use an application which will result in MORE than 4gb of ram used in total by the system.)
Or will it be faster?

 

the 3 channel thing is only for socket 1366 desktops. it in NO WAY applies to our computers.

if you have 2x4GB and 2x2GB you get 12GB all dual channel. I know because I have that. the memory controller is pretty smart. Even if you put in 1 4GB and 1 2GB, you get dual channel for the first 4 of your 6GB of ram.

The ram goes in at like a 30 degree angle, then once it's slid into place, you push it flat. neither of these steps should involve a lot of force.

Stampy, 4x2GB vs 2x4GB is going to be pretty damn close to the same. it might bench slightly one way or the other, but in real life, it's not even remotely close to something a human could notice.

But why not just got with 2x4 and 2x2.... I'm assuming the machine came with 2x2, and you can get 2x4 for under $50.

 

Where though? Microcenter was my first choice, but not only will 2*4 cost in the $80... they're not even 1600mhz but 1333...
Would you know any stores where I could just pick it up? or do I have to go through newegg?
PS: you assumed correctly.
EDIT: If I do get 2*4GB of ram I'm assuming I should put them in slots 1&2? and the 2*2 in slots 3&4? (3 & 4 are beneath the keyboard.)

 

The m17x R3 has two RAM channels divided between four ports. One channel is port 1 and 3 and the other channel is port 2 and 4. As long as you have a stick of RAM in a port on each channel, you are fully using both channels. The ports are arranged in pairs with one port in each channel together (eg. port 1 and 2 are on the bottom and port 3 and 4 are under the keyboard).

There is zero performance difference between having 4x 2 GB DIMM's and having 2x 4 GB DIMM's. Personally though, I would go for 2x 4 GB so you can get another 2x 4 GB if you choose to add RAM later.

 

hu, that's nice to know. On the other threads though they seem to say conflicting info on using different rams.
So now I have a new case, if I do get 2*4GB of ram, and decide to put them in, it will not be ANY KIND of problem considering that I have 2*2GB in other slots right ? (Unless I put a 4 GB in 1 and other 4GB in 3 I suppose following your math... one channel would get 4 GB while other one has 8GB?)

 

thank you I will try
but first! SC2

 

SC2 is coded in 32bit anyways and usually doesn't use more than 2GB of ram (from my personal experience). Chances are you will notice no boost whatsoever.
===> Yeah I hate it!! games need to start being coded in 64bit!! Are there any 64bit games out there?

 

crysis 1 I think?
It still wont fit -.- gosh


edit: yeey! it fits finally -.- I was to afraid to push hard enough because I have been sparing all my money for almost a year for this one

 

good to know buddy I will do the same when I got time.

 

there is loads of games that do 64bit

 

Documentation

here is the way to do it thats why I decided to push harder than I would do normally. OMG I still cant believe that I have an alienware

 

By the way HOW do I check my RAM frequency FROM the computer :S ??
On PC Wizard 2010 (downloaded today.... ) it says :
DDR3-SDRAM PC3-12800 (800MHz) - [DDR3-1600]
This 800mhz worries me :S..... I'm supposed to have 1600Mhz...

 

Ram is so cheap no I just went ahead and upgraded to 8GB. Now my VM's are running better, that and the new M4 SSD $30 for 8GB, can't beat that...do it!

 

ddr = double data rate

800 x2 = ?

 

xD okay, ouuuu I know this... I studied math in college huuuu let me get my calculator

 

If you are in north americam server, We can play sc2 if you like. But am still not that good. Still in diamond

 

No I live in europe and I still need a lot of practice xD