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    Can the M17 use 1333MHz RAM?

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by Mike2011, Dec 8, 2008.

  1. Mike2011

    Mike2011 Notebook Evangelist

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    Can any one test if the M17 can run 1333Mhz Ram by flashing the M17 with the OCZ Bios? I just want to verify this before I buy it.
     
    Mike2011, Dec 8, 2008
    #1
  2. tianxia

    tianxia kitty!!!

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    i thought the mobo only support 1066?
     
    tianxia, Dec 8, 2008
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  3. Mike2011

    Mike2011 Notebook Evangelist

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    E-Wreck told me with the bios flash it should work
     
    Mike2011, Dec 8, 2008
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  4. OutCtrl_85

    OutCtrl_85 Notebook Consultant

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    So its confirmed that you can use 1333Mhz ram by flashing the bios with OCZ ones?
     
    OutCtrl_85, Dec 8, 2008
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  5. Axman

    Axman Notebook Evangelist

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    1333 ram and processor would be nice
     
    Axman, Dec 8, 2008
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  6. whizzo

    whizzo Notebook Prophet

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    nope. one person has said it's possible. :)
     
    whizzo, Dec 8, 2008
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  7. Axman

    Axman Notebook Evangelist

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    im sure it is on this chipset. might really only be a simple bios flash to be able to run the 1333.
     
    Axman, Dec 8, 2008
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  8. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    Before any Alienware M17 owners think about doing this, you should ask Alienware whether or not it voids your warranty. It's all at your own risk.
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, Dec 8, 2008
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  9. E-wrecked

    E-wrecked BANNED

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    There are quite a few resellers who offer the rig with the 1333MHz RAM. Most RAM, such as 800MHz DDR2, supports at least the one speed lesser. For example, 98% of DDR2 PC6400 800MHz RAM also runs at 667MHz. So, as long as the proper RAM is purchased for the DDR3 PC10666 1333MHz RAM, then it will also support the 1066MHz speed. And, in the event it doesn't then I suggest not purchasing it. That's your failsafe. However, it will be unlikely you find one that doesn't support the lesser speed. And, even if it doesn't then the non-AW BIOS does support it. Visit the OCZ site; http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/oem_solutions/ocz_17-whitebook - This is the info on this rig.. notice the RAM supported. Also XMP is supported, once intel publically releases the Extreme Tuning Utility for the notebooks.. Or, the XMP utility at the very least.

    And I agree with Chaz. AW is very strict about self-upgrades. If you do anything aside from Hard drives, and software..then they'll likely drop your warranty if you have any issues. The RAM, that's questionable, but BIOS flash definately voids it. :)
     
    E-wrecked, Dec 8, 2008
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  10. halofanman

    halofanman Notebook Guru

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    well if you need your m17 serviced can't you just reflash the bios back to the alienware's stock and send it in for service? how will they ever know?
     
    halofanman, Dec 8, 2008
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  11. Axman

    Axman Notebook Evangelist

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    yes, and no. depending on the problem. if you burn something out to the extent i wont start.. you may not be able to do that. but that all depends on what you burn out. well have to wait and see what happens when someone does.
     
    Axman, Dec 8, 2008
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  12. halofanman

    halofanman Notebook Guru

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    well if somebody will ship me some 1333MHz ram I will test it out ;)
     
    halofanman, Dec 8, 2008
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  13. TurbodTalon

    TurbodTalon Notebook Virtuoso

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    It just so happens that I'm looking at RAM, because I only have 2GB, and it is manufactured by a company I have literally never heard of.

    Will 1333Mhz OCZ work? I don't care if it only runs at 1066Mhz. I also read that buying one step faster RAM helps keep things more stable when OCing via FSB.

    And for some reason the 1333Mhz 204pin OCZ is less expensive than its 1066 counterpart.
     
    TurbodTalon, Dec 8, 2008
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  14. Stone825

    Stone825 Notebook Virtuoso

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    The difference between 1066 and 1333Mhz ram is so small that it's not even worth thinking about. In maybe a year or two years once the tech can take advantage of it then it will be well worth it.
     
    Stone825, Dec 8, 2008
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  15. ryujin

    ryujin 2B or not 2B

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    it should..
    and OCZ is good stuff....i have it in my m15x... :D
     
    ryujin, Dec 8, 2008
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  16. E-wrecked

    E-wrecked BANNED

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    Turbod, I noticed the same thing. Only $55 vs. $110 or something stupid like that. :)
     
    E-wrecked, Dec 9, 2008
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  17. OutCtrl_85

    OutCtrl_85 Notebook Consultant

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    awesome half price for better stuff
     
    OutCtrl_85, Dec 9, 2008
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  18. TurbodTalon

    TurbodTalon Notebook Virtuoso

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    I'm going to get the 1333Mhz stuff then. My 2GB of RAM is usually maxed while gaming.
     
    TurbodTalon, Dec 9, 2008
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  19. own3d

    own3d Notebook Evangelist

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    Half of me is saying its probably safe to flash it with the OCZ bios, half of me says you guys must be stupid as it will instant void your warranty and alienware systems don't seem very reliable. On the note of flashing back to alienwares bios, what if it breaks during the flash to OCZ? Then your buggered. And is it really worth it for 1333mhz ram?

    Seeing as I don't own one its up to you to decide...
     
    own3d, Dec 9, 2008
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  20. alitunay

    alitunay Power Seller

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    Hey guys, I have qx9300 and 1333mhz DDR3 ram working like a charm in my OCZ.
     
    alitunay, Dec 9, 2008
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  21. OutCtrl_85

    OutCtrl_85 Notebook Consultant

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    Ye4s but will it work on the aw m17?
    Also will the AW m17 read the 1333mhz
    ram without the bios flash?
     
    OutCtrl_85, Dec 9, 2008
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  22. E-wrecked

    E-wrecked BANNED

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    At the end of the day.. this product is backed by OCZ as the ODM. If there is an issue that AW will not handle, then OCZ *should* handle it. And, Jaimee at OCZ is a very nice lady when it comes to tech support. She is the one who handles these systems. Im bout to call her for another reason, but I'll ask while I have her on the phone.

    She's at lunch..will call back shortly. I'll post any info I receive. However, regardless of the outcome I do not endorse or condone anyone modifying their system outside of AWs guidelines. :)
     
    E-wrecked, Dec 9, 2008
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  23. E-wrecked

    E-wrecked BANNED

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    Ok..talked to Jaimee.. OCZ does supply, but if the system has been rebadged by AW and no longer carries the OCZ logo, then AW is solely responsible for warranty claims. Sooo..no saving your butt by OCZ :) But, she said the RAM works just fine :p
     
    E-wrecked, Dec 9, 2008
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  24. fusionsenses

    fusionsenses The Unbannable

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    There is no certainty that M17 is provided by OCZ; it could be, but not certain. OCZ is a reseller as well, I think. If I were AW, I would try to get a deal from the manufacture or designer to lower cost, because AW would sell more these laptops than OCZ or any other smaller laptop brand.
     
    fusionsenses, Dec 9, 2008
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  25. Stone825

    Stone825 Notebook Virtuoso

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    Yea OCZ is a reseller so there is no reason why the would offer a warranty for it. Armina are the people who made the computer and resellers such as OCZ, Dark Smiley(?), XoticPc, etc. rebrand the computer and sell it.

    Also: Alienware had exclusivity with the M9750 and they also have it with the M15x and the M17x. I'm assuming that when they had the ability to secure a crossifre system they decided it wasn't worth it so they passed on the exclusivity. However, when they saw the potential of the notebook, they just picked it up and acted just like all the other resellers.
     
    Stone825, Dec 9, 2008
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  26. ChristmasGT

    ChristmasGT Notebook Consultant

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    Well, I just ordered 4 Gigs of OCZ 1333 for my M17 as well as the WD 320 7200 RPM Hard Drive. I had it shipped over night so that it would come the same day as the Lappy (Thursday) so I can be a guinea pig for you guys
     
    ChristmasGT, Dec 9, 2008
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  27. E-wrecked

    E-wrecked BANNED

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    good call Christmas.. Now, as far as OCZ vs. Xotic, etc. OCZ is the North American ODM for this setup. They provide the rig to OEMs to re-brand on their own accord. I spoke with a Flextronics Rep while seeking some information yesterday, and he said that unfortunately they are not responsible for supporting the system in the U.S. He then directed me to OCZ for support, as they are the main supplier. Which is the reason I was calling Jaimee earlier. OCZ is the only North American supplier of this setup, and AW does purchase through them whether directly, or indirectly. :p

    EDIT: And I don't believe you can purchase this rig as an individual through OCZ. You must be a reseller in order to do so. I could be wrong.
     
    E-wrecked, Dec 9, 2008
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  28. ChristmasGT

    ChristmasGT Notebook Consultant

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    Not A problem. I plan on doing a HUGE review for the M17 with a great deal ammount of games (Assassins Creed, Crysis, COD4 just to name a couple)

    I may try to compare it with my Desktop rig with Dual 8800 GT's since the lappy and the desktop play at the same resolution (1920x1200) it should be fair. I'll declock my AMD to 2.26 to make it as even as possible
     
    ChristmasGT, Dec 9, 2008
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  29. E-wrecked

    E-wrecked BANNED

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    You running P8400? Hmm.. fair enough.
     
    E-wrecked, Dec 9, 2008
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  30. ChristmasGT

    ChristmasGT Notebook Consultant

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    yeah, I think im going to get the Q9000 when It launches this month, supposedly only going to be 300 bucks.
     
    ChristmasGT, Dec 9, 2008
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  31. E-wrecked

    E-wrecked BANNED

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    Hmm.. why not go q9100 now? :) Or, the qx9300?
     
    E-wrecked, Dec 9, 2008
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  32. ChristmasGT

    ChristmasGT Notebook Consultant

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    lol Yeah I know, I just don't want to spend THAT much money
     
    ChristmasGT, Dec 9, 2008
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  33. E-wrecked

    E-wrecked BANNED

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    Bleh..it will cost you more down the road, cause your chip will depreciate ;)
     
    E-wrecked, Dec 9, 2008
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  34. ChristmasGT

    ChristmasGT Notebook Consultant

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    lol yes yes I know. the Q9000 should be out by the end of this year, I wonder how much I can get out of that P8400?
     
    ChristmasGT, Dec 10, 2008
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  35. E-wrecked

    E-wrecked BANNED

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    I got $5 on it.. lemme know if my bid gets beaten. :)
     
    E-wrecked, Dec 10, 2008
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  36. ChristmasGT

    ChristmasGT Notebook Consultant

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    lol will do! I may give it to my buddy to upgrade his P7811~FX processor
     
    ChristmasGT, Dec 10, 2008
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  37. E-wrecked

    E-wrecked BANNED

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    You could do that.. P8400 to P8600 - Nothin wrong wit some free speed. Seriously though, $200 or so seems reasonable. Or, trade your buddy and sell his for $175 :)
     
    E-wrecked, Dec 10, 2008
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  38. ChristmasGT

    ChristmasGT Notebook Consultant

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    lol may do that =D what do you think about ES CPUs?
     
    ChristmasGT, Dec 10, 2008
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  39. E-wrecked

    E-wrecked BANNED

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    I think you should buy them at your own risk, unless you're 100% sure it's a reputable source. And even then, they come with no warranty and you hope they're in good shape. You should also be carfeul about the ES revision, as some are early models and will not perform like retail chips - higher voltages, different multipliers, immature technology.. Then again, some of the non extreme processors have an unlocked multiplier if you find the right ES ;)
     
    E-wrecked, Dec 10, 2008
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  40. ChristmasGT

    ChristmasGT Notebook Consultant

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    Well, I'll find something =D
     
    ChristmasGT, Dec 10, 2008
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  41. ChristmasGT

    ChristmasGT Notebook Consultant

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    Alrighty guys heres the deal, I tossed in the OCZ 1333 and while it does run and function, it's declocked to 1066 is the OCZ the same way? or does it run full 1333?
     
    ChristmasGT, Dec 11, 2008
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  42. E-wrecked

    E-wrecked BANNED

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    It will downclock to 1066 like I mentioned earlier about the 800/667 DDR2. It will only run @ 1333 if the FSB is 1333. For example, you OC the FSB it will bump up to 1333 if your FSB is OC'd that high. Otherwise, there's no need for it to run that high :)
     
    E-wrecked, Dec 11, 2008
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  43. ChristmasGT

    ChristmasGT Notebook Consultant

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    Im thinking about OCing but im sure because i dont like Software OC's :(

    But Windows 7 FLIES with this thing
     
    ChristmasGT, Dec 12, 2008
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  44. TurbodTalon

    TurbodTalon Notebook Virtuoso

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    With your current setup, you have no choice but to use software. I can't get ATI Flash to let me flash a modded VBIOS to the GPUs.

    The 1333Mhz OCZ didn't do anything to my 3DMark score, but it has smoothed the frame rates in game tremendously.
     
    TurbodTalon, Dec 12, 2008
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  45. ChristmasGT

    ChristmasGT Notebook Consultant

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    Yeah I'd imagine with it declocked it allows it to use faster timings which is a plus :)
     
    ChristmasGT, Dec 12, 2008
    #45