Dell XPS 17 Ram Question

Hey Guys,

Got a Dell XPS 17 laptop coming in the mail with only 4gb of ram.

Any recommendations on what brand, type of ram I should get for it? Ideally I want to put 8+ gb into it. I am wondering, can you buy a 1 8gb stick of ram? And if so can I just use 1 8gb stick with the other preinstalled 2gb or do both sticks need to be the same brand?

Any feedback/suggestions would be greatly appreciated, I am lost when it comes to ram.

Also, and SSD suggestions?

 

Corsair, samsung,hynix (hyundai ) , are the ones i like.
I believe that if you use more than one stick it is best to use identical RAMs .
( you get minimum amount of errors ) But the most important part is the RAM specification and type , i just installed some RAM memory for a friend and i have used the combination of ddr3 4GB 10600S 1333MHz -samsung with Hynix 4GB 10600S 1333MHz - same spec and it works superb .

 

I dont know what are you going to use your machine for but i believe 99% of people dont need more than 4GB and 8GB is perfect - litle bit future proof ( if you can say this about any computer component )

 

My XPS 17 has 4 GB and it is plenty. Actually all of our computers have 4 GB and it is plenty.

 

Thanks for the help guys,

I know 8gb is alot of ram but I think it will be beneficial. This laptop will be used for running a database program, internet, excel files, itunes, and most importantly multiple ArcGIS windows, which is a mapping program that uses ram to constantly re-draw multiple layers (state roads, state tax parcels, labels for each) as well as satelite imagery every time I pan the image. (In addition, this program is known to crash without enough ram).

Basically, I was thinking about getting two 8gb ram sticks, but from suggestions I will stick with two 1600 4gb sticks!

Does it matter what brand? or can I just go on newegg and pick one out.

Also, what about an SSD card?? Do you guys think it may be more beneficial for me to spend the money on an SSD rather than ram? And does SSD make programs run quicker, or just on their initial start up?

As always, thanks! This site is invaluable.

 

First off the 17's max ram speed is 1333mhz. From the sound of your uses it would seem more ram would be more appropriate than an ssd although since ram is so cheap nowadays you can get both. I have a crucial m4 ssd and its superb, myself and others agree its probably the best ssd on the market now in terms of bang for buck.

Also you can use two 8gb sticks if you need more than 8gb ram but they are still pretty expensive, but they have been confirmed to work.

Any named ram brand are good, crucial, corsair, kingston, samsung etc.

 

2x4GB 1333MHz - that is what you need son and you will be well happy
2x8GB is totaly overpriced at this moment and there is no benefit in using it for you .
SSD - oh yes that will make your system very responsible , not just the faster startup , everything just starts immediately after you click on it , its amazing , i recomend the smaller sized 125GB drives because they are beter value at this moment . ( Corsair is brand of my choice )
I have the original samsung ram in my machine (2x4GB ) and i am very happy with it .

 

thanks, very informative suggestions.

One more question, if I were to get 1 8gb stick and keep the other 2 gb stock ram that comes with the laptop, would this work?? I'm thinking that way, I get 10 gb of ram, and can upgrade later if I need to.

 

It would work but it would prob be cheaper to buy 8gb sticks as a pair. Also you prob wont be running in dual channel, so you'd have more ram but wouldnt be to its full speed potential.