m17x 8Gb memory upgrade

I have browsed the forums a bit and...got confused ^^

I have succesfully upgraded my m17x-R2 from 1 x 4870 to a crossfire 4870 setup. Next i would like to upgrade my ram from 4gb to 8.

I noticed i have currently 1066Mhz memory installed, should i go for the same speed or will the 1333Mhz models also fit?

Whats the best brand to go for, as while browsing ebay i find so many different types that i don't want to buy the wrong ones and find out i should have spent 10 dollars more a week later for top knotch.

 

You can use the 1333 Mhz memory no problem

 

Great, what brand/type should i be looking at?

The default Samsung ones (though i'm not sure which type alienware exactly uses), or go for a certain type of? (OCZ?)

 

Most of them will work and really not make a huge difference in real world use. You can choose to get a lower latency memory, which should perform better at stock speeds, or get a normal latency which will overclock better, doesn't really make much difference.

I chose the normal latency because I didn't want the memory to hold me back from overclocking. Here is what I bought and it's been working great.

Newegg.com - G.SKILL 8GB (2 x 4GB) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Laptop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBSQ

 

Hmm...I just ran a system spec on mine and this is what it read next to RAM: 6.0GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 660MHz (9-9-9-24).

If I want 8GB total am I replacing both modules? Cuz that 660mhz part is not looking very fast to me.

 

I beleive 666 mhz RAM is normal, the DDR (double data rate) makes it operate like its 1333 mhz because it works off both the rising and falling clocks (so twice per cycle). Not sure why it says 660 but it could just be an inaccurate reading or rounding etc.

I'm overclocked 5% in BIOS right now and my memory is at about 700 Mhz.

You could buy a 2nd 4GB module ot get to 8GB, but really I recommend replacing both (2x4GB modules like I linked to above) to insure stability and compatibility.

 

Thanks for the explanation! I am running Civilization V and during the diplomacy screens and next steps the game comes to a screeching halt. I initially thought RAM but after reading the recommended specs on the 2K Web site maybe my CPU is the culprit.

Do not want to hijack this thread but real quick, if I have a Intel Core i7 740QM do you know what my upgrade options are? I'm running the A08 MOBO.

HEY! How do you overclock your RAM?

 

Over clock options are in the BIOS menu

 

I am finally going to upgrade to 8mb, newegg.com has a good deal right now, I have not seen 8gb much cheaper;

*Updated*

 

I did the 8GB upgrade with 1333 Mhz, it is well worth it if you are doing some serious application work. I run multiple VMs under VMWare for work, 8GB was a necessity. For games you will see a smoother play overall as more is cached over time.

 

Are you still using a page file with 8GB, if so should I put it on my 2nd drive and take it off my SSD? Also would my M11X benefit from the 1333 from the stock 1066? Using the ram out of my M17X R2.

 

From what I have read lately that it's best to just leave the page file in use, because Windows is very tuned for it's presence, and it will not use it unless necessary. I would leave it on the SSD myself for best performance, but that's a matter of choice.

As for the M11x, there is no benefit except for extreme overclocking scenarios for the memory speed (which you can't really do on the R-1). If you look at the memory in use on the M11x-R2 even it is all 800 Mhz memory, so the bus is really only 400, not 533. Early on there was an option for a 1066 Mhz memory that I think was left over from design where the BIOS allowed more bus control. Overlocking is limited to 1.60 GHz, not 1.73 as touted by Alienware, and you no longer see the option for the faster memory. OTOH, I would at least try it and see if perhaps your system would use it, can't hurt to have better memory.

 

That's what I have heard in the past, thank you

 

hey mates,I had 6GB Ram with one is 4Gb so do I need buy a pair of 4GB for upgrading or only one 4GB and replace the 2 GB one?thanks in advance!

 

Only if you want them to run in duel mode, a little faster.

 

I would look for the same stick as the 4Gb one since the owned one it's already 667Mhz so it will save you some money and also from selling two sticks intead of one (the 2Gb).

 

yeah thank you guys for the advices

 

Hey mate if you do this upgrade give me a yell....I would love to buy your original 4 gig ram stick from you.

 

Hi guys,
would these Ram fit my Alienware??
8GB 2 X 4GB DDR3 SODIMM 204PIN 1333MHz PC3-10666 LAPTOP (eBay item 230531458861 end time 26-Jan-11 06:45:51 AEDST) : Computers Networking

Thanks,

 

Yes it will work with your M17X

 

Thanks Flyn, 10char.

 

Has anyone changed the settings in Bios, like the cpu muli, and ram voltage?Does it help?