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    m17x r3 ram question help

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by goonshow, Jan 27, 2011.

  1. goonshow

    goonshow Notebook Guru

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    can i put in 1600mhz ram even though the manual says 1333mhz and if yes do i have to do anything special or is it the same pop out pop in install?? thanx in advance
     
    goonshow, Jan 27, 2011
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  2. Texasrho83

    Texasrho83 Notebook Consultant

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    From what I've discussed with other members on this forum, 1600 is acceptable - the mobo on the R3 can even take RAM that's rated higher than 1600. As for installation, there are 2 memory slots visible when you remove the underside cover and 2 more behind the keyboard (I haven't personally confirmed the location behind the keyboard as I'm not ready to tear mine apart just yet lol)
     
    Texasrho83, Jan 27, 2011
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  3. goonshow

    goonshow Notebook Guru

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    i know that, my question was whether i would have to install new drivers or change the bios to accommodate the additional mhz
     
    goonshow, Jan 28, 2011
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  4. Mechanized Menace

    Mechanized Menace Lost in the MYST

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    That is a big negative. It is plug and play
     
    Mechanized Menace, Jan 28, 2011
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  5. kunekaden

    kunekaden Notebook Deity

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    2720 and above support 1600 natively
    2630 requires xmp
     
    kunekaden, Jan 28, 2011
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  6. rawhide85

    rawhide85 Notebook Consultant

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    Confirmed by Mandrake! 2 dimms under keyboard. Pics: http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/550559-m17xr3-first-impression.html
     
    rawhide85, Jan 28, 2011
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  7. MhZ041986

    MhZ041986 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Im not really a computer expert by any means but doesn't ram go in the motherboard? How does the CPU change what ram fits in? Are you saying the 2630 only fits 1333hz ram and the 2720 supports 1600hz?
     
    MhZ041986, Jan 28, 2011
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  8. kunekaden

    kunekaden Notebook Deity

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    The memory controller is on the CPU. If the CPU isn't designed to control xxxx mhz ram, it won't.

    edit:
    2630QM
    2720QM
     
    kunekaden, Jan 28, 2011
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  9. MhZ041986

    MhZ041986 Notebook Enthusiast

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    so is th 2720qm a huge upgrade? i just ordered my m17x r3 today with the 2630qm.. You are making me want to change my order....-_-
     
    MhZ041986, Jan 28, 2011
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  10. kunekaden

    kunekaden Notebook Deity

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    Depends heavily on your intended use of the system.
    I doubt the majority of users would notice any difference. It would be a reasonable upgrade for those who do notice the difference.
     
    kunekaden, Jan 28, 2011
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  11. faiz23

    faiz23 Macbook FTW

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    Put the difference $$$ into the SSD and i guarantee you that you will see a HUGE upgrade in performance versus the 2720qm...although from what i understand on the forums...the higher your processor the longer your JOHNSON :D aka E-PEEN...so if that makes a difference then yes the 2720qm is a HUGE upgrade and the 2920xm (HORSES E-Peen)....well you get the point :p
     
    faiz23, Jan 28, 2011
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  12. MhZ041986

    MhZ041986 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Does the cas or timing matter on the ram? I'm on newegg mow looking for 2x4gb for the 2630qm... I have me never put ram in a computer before.
     
    MhZ041986, Jan 28, 2011
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  13. MhZ041986

    MhZ041986 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yours has the 920 in it though o_0
    I do have a 160gb intel SSD ready to go in the laptop when I get it.
     
    MhZ041986, Jan 28, 2011
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  14. faiz23

    faiz23 Macbook FTW

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    thats what she said :D


    enjoy the SSD and put the savings back into your bank or take your Wifey/girl friend/mom out to dinner :p ....the performance difference will have barely and significant impact that you will not notice the difference in performance but more so in your wallet.
     
    faiz23, Jan 28, 2011
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  15. kunekaden

    kunekaden Notebook Deity

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    Yes, but all 1333mhz ram is going to be 9-9-9-whatever, unless it's XMP
     
    kunekaden, Jan 28, 2011
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  16. Mazzyrich

    Mazzyrich Notebook Enthusiast

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    I bought 2620qm with 4g ram. Can anyone recommend an upgrade( for example 2x 4g sticks and if anyone can explain what it is I ask for at the shop it would be appreciated) :p
     
    Mazzyrich, Jan 28, 2011
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  17. MhZ041986

    MhZ041986 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I would also like to know this. /bump
     
    MhZ041986, Jan 28, 2011
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  18. Mandrake

    Mandrake Notebook Nobel Laureate NBR Reviewer

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    I tried looking up the specs of the Kingston HyperX - KHX1600C9S3K2/8GX but it's not listed on Kingston's website. If it works as good as the 4GB (2x2GB) version then I would say that one. I personally haven't tested it.
     
    Mandrake, Jan 28, 2011
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  19. kunekaden

    kunekaden Notebook Deity

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    Are you two looking to increase amount, speed, or amount + speed of ram?

    If only amount of ram, i'd just buy the cheapest 1300mhz stuff you can find.
    If one of the other 2 options, you'll need to remove the existing modules first. Mandrake's suggestion is a good one, imo.
     
    kunekaden, Jan 28, 2011
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  20. nk290

    nk290 Notebook Consultant

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    I'm thinking about upgrading myself as well. My original order with 8gb ram was canceled by Dell today, and I'm thinking about taking the opportunity to save some $$$. Anyone whose received their system- if you ordered 4gb (2 DIMMS), was it installed under the keyboard or under the access panel on the bottom of the system?
     
    nk290, Jan 28, 2011
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  21. LVNeptune

    LVNeptune Notebook Virtuoso

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    Never mix and match ram. If you want to upgrade buy whole new sticks. Mixing RAM is the number 1 cause of BSOD's :).

    Speaking from personal experience, I refuse to install extra RAM on Laptops/Desktops if customers don't replace all sticks (Exceptions are made to RAMBUS and DDR1 sticks due to their expensiveness)
     
    LVNeptune, Jan 29, 2011
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  22. Mandrake

    Mandrake Notebook Nobel Laureate NBR Reviewer

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    On the bottom under the access panel.
     
    Mandrake, Jan 29, 2011
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  23. nk290

    nk290 Notebook Consultant

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    nk290, Jan 30, 2011
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  24. kunekaden

    kunekaden Notebook Deity

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    Not sure if you noticed, but if you click on the link "11 new from $75.00", you can pick up the same product from a 3rd party store via amazon for $10 cheaper.
     
    kunekaden, Jan 30, 2011
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  25. Macpod

    Macpod Connoisseur

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    you mean ram in the same channel or in general? And by mixing do you mean speeds, CAS or brand? Surely ram of the same CAS and speeds will fine regardless of branding. especially if you are not mixing them in the same channel. I dont think ill be throwing away a 2x2GB ram anytime soon.

    the XPS i was looking at was offered with a 4GB single stick base option with 3 slots free. i was thinking of populating the rest with 4GB sticks of the same speed and cAS ratings.
     
    Macpod, Jan 30, 2011
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  26. laststop311

    laststop311 Notebook Deity

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    the 2720 is a very well worth upgrade from the 2630 +200mhx base +500mhz turbo and 1600mhz native ram support vs 1333mhzz all for only 150 dollars. Now the 2820 is definitely not worth it and extra 200 over the 2720 and only +100mhz base and turbo.

    The cas 7 1600mhz XMP profile kingston hyper x is the best ram you are gonna get. There is no ram better. If you want 8GB of ram and are not comfortable accessing all 4 ram slots by going under the keyboard then you are gonna have to pay a slight premium to get 2x4GB over 4x2GB
     
    laststop311, Jan 30, 2011
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  27. nk290

    nk290 Notebook Consultant

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    I'm waiting for NewEgg to get the Kingston Hyper X 2x4gb back in stock. Will I have to tweak any settings in the bios once I install it, or is it plug-and-play?
     
    nk290, Jan 30, 2011
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  28. laststop311

    laststop311 Notebook Deity

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    the ram will work plug and play but you may want to tweak the XMP profile in the bios to get cas 7 and 1600mhz at the same time like mandrake did
     
    laststop311, Jan 30, 2011
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  29. nk290

    nk290 Notebook Consultant

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    Is that pretty straight forward to do? So I look for memory settings and set to CAS 7 and set the speed to 1600mhz?
     
    nk290, Jan 30, 2011
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  30. kunekaden

    kunekaden Notebook Deity

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    Although I already received my Corsair RAM, I just ordered the 8gb kit of hyperx 1600 from a different retailer, MemoryDepot.com. Their prices aren't as nice as newegg, but they offer price matching if you are willing to wait. They are Canada based, and ship to USA & Europe.
     
    kunekaden, Jan 30, 2011
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  31. ECKS

    ECKS Notebook Prophet

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    On aafes, the upgrade to 2820 is "subtract $7.00" LOLZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ! Someone go order it before they take it down. I would but not enough credit on my cc. I'm a few hundred short lolz
     
    ECKS, Jan 30, 2011
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  32. Torai

    Torai Notebook Evangelist

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    Correct me if I'm wrong: I have 2630QM and I can use up to 8GB (2x4GB) 1600Mhz ? Do I need to tweak the XMP, and if yes, how could I do that?

    Thanks !!!
     
    Torai, Jan 31, 2011
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  33. kunekaden

    kunekaden Notebook Deity

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    What makes you think you can't use all 4 dimms?
     
    kunekaden, Jan 31, 2011
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  34. ECKS

    ECKS Notebook Prophet

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    Better question is if the 2630 allows you to use 1600mhz, 1333mhz, or only 1066mhz.
     
    ECKS, Jan 31, 2011
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  35. laststop311

    laststop311 Notebook Deity

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    2630 supports 1333mhz and 1066mhz

    2720+ supports 1600mhz 1333mhz and 1066mhz
     
    laststop311, Jan 31, 2011
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  36. ECKS

    ECKS Notebook Prophet

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    Really? Yippee! Won't be upgrading from 4gb though, as that's all that's necessary for SC2, right?
     
    ECKS, Jan 31, 2011
    #36