Studio XPS 1647 RAM 1333Mhz shows up as 1066Mhz in BIOS

Hi, yesterday my computer crashed 3 times for no reason so I went to check BIOS and by chance found out that my ram is actually 1066Mhz. The order sheet says I ordered 4GB, DDR3, 1333MHz 2 dimm, and I remembered I did as well. So, did Dell send me the wrong RAM?

Or, as I've googled, is this all a Dell marketing scam such that the 1333MHz ram we ordered only performs at 1066Mhz by default and you'll have to manually overclock it to perform at 1333Mhz (which may not be safe for the system)?

Any input will be appreciated. Thanx.

 

i read that this has to do with the i5 520 limit

 

yes, the i5 is holding you back. It has something to do with the architecture of the processor, an i7 720QM, can give you 1333MHz. Any processor lower and it will downclock the ram to 1066MHz.
Unfortunately getting the 1333MHz was a waste unless you have a Quad i7
Good Luck.

 

Yep, the memory type for Core i5 is DDR3-800/1066. Core i7 is DDR3-1066/1333.

 

It's not just the i5, its the whole Arrandale family..


Core i7 quads support 1333, not duals.

I have a i7 620m, it supports only 1066. Its based on the architecture.


Clarksfiled = quad = 1333mhz support

Arrandale = dual = 1066mhz

 

Thanx guys for the reply. Well looks like it's a waste of the 1333Mhz RAM then.

I'm still having weird crashes though. The computer just freezes randomly and keyboard + mouse both unresponsive (hard drive indicator light sometime flashes, other times stays lit). I waited for hours and the computer still did not come back so I had to hold on to the power button to turn my computer off. I've had 5 of these already over the past three days. It started to happen after I updated my BIOS driver to the latest A06 as well as the sound driver. Any of your 1647s having similar problem?
Btw I have the 130W adapter plugged in.

Thanx in advance.

 

Does it make a beep before chashing? (via speakers)

 

Mine is fine so far. No crashes of any kind. I also updated the bios to 0A6, it seams ok. I have 90W adapter not 130W. As for sound driver I did not update it, is the same it came with.