XPS 17 L702X Maximum RAM

Hi everyone, first post here. I've searched this forum for the past few hours, chatted with Dell and Intel tech support, and no conclusive answers to my question. Hopefully you guys can help.

I'm looking to buy a new XPS 17 with the i7-2720QM processor. I'd like to be able to upgrade to 16GB of RAM someday, but I only want to buy 8GB now. I've been watching the Dell site for the past few months, and there seems to be a lot of indecision every few weeks as to what the maximum RAM is.

Dell says that unless you buy the 3D-enabled XPS 17, you're stuck with only 2 DIMM slots, and people have said that Dell disables the other 2 like a bunch of jerks. The 3D system seems to be the only way to get 4 accessible DIMM slots.

This is incredibly inconvenient, but I'm sort of ok with it, because by the time I need 16GB of RAM, the price of two 8GB DIMMs should be affordable.

The problem is that Intel's spec page for that processor says the maximum RAM for it is only 8GB. I thought maybe that was 8GB per memory channel, and since it has 2 memory channels, the max would be 16GB. But an Intel tech support rep said that the total amount of RAM the system would recognize would be 8GB. Dell tech support disagrees and says it's 8GB per channel. But I wouldn't put it past Dell to sell a customer some RAM that they can't even use.

So, to anyone who has purchased the L702X with the i7-2720QM, or to anyone who has trustworthy information on this...how much RAM can the 2720QM support, and how many accessible DIMM slots does the non-3D L702X have?

Thanks in advance.

 

Don't know about the RAM support, but non-3D screen only has 2 DIMMs

For 4 DIMMs, you gotta order:
- 1080p, 3D screen
- GT 555M GPU
- i7-2720 or higher

 

I just received the non-3D (900p not 1080p) with 1 gig vid card, and have 4 memory slots

 

News to me; seems most, if not all, the people in the L702x thread were saying otherwise

 

I wanted 4 slots, I was expecting 2....

and is no April 1 joke!

 

@SMP_Homer

Are the other 2 slots accessible to you? Or are they missing clips or obstructed in any way? I read in some other posts that although it looked like there were 4, only 2 were usable.

 

Specs in the sig, i tore her apart before I even turned her on and installed the other 6 gigs I had in the other 2 slots..

They are stacked but the bottom slot is pushed out a bit more than the top. You would definitely know if you had 4 slots...

 

Thje full Intel datasheet ( http://www.intel.com/Assets/PDF/datasheet/324692.pdf - page 13) says

"Using 4Gb device technologies, the largest memory capacity possible is 16GB, assuming dual-channel mode with two x8, dual-ranked, un-buffered, non-ECC, SO-DIMM memory configuration."

 

Thanks everyone. So if I understand correctly, if I order the non-3D system, I will most likely get a motherboard with 2 DIMM slots, but there is a very small chance I could end up with 4 slots.

Also, the 2nd generation i7 processors including the 2720QM have a maximum RAM capacity of 8GB per channel, for a total of 16GB of system memory. I will contact another Intel rep to confirm this, because it's possible that the one I spoke to made a mistake. It seems as if you guys would notice if your 12GB system only recognized 8GB.

I guess my next question would be, do I really need the 4 DIMM slots, or is 2 sufficient? When I eventually do upgrade from 8GB to 16GB a few years from now, will it be better for the system if I have two 8GB DIMMs or four 4GB DIMMs? I'd have to assume that I would be getting better RAM a few years from now if I purchase two 8GB DIMMs, rather than purchasing another two 4GB DIMMs to add to the two 4GBs already in the system.

 

In a few years, DDR3 is probably gonna be on the way out as prices for GDDR fall; and IIRC, the 2720 only recognizes DDR3. In a few years, it may be cheaper to just buy a new laptop/computer

 

same 2 memory modules worked just fine in the other 2 slots...
4 total! I'm surprised....

 

i am in the same boat as this guy is there any clarity on how much the 2720qm takes ..can i use 8 gig per dimm??..there seems to be uncertainty over these issues..well i am uncertain like him coz i keep hearing different things regarding memory options

 

Unfortunately the Dell XPS 17 L702X will not accept 8GB on a single slot. I'm afraid it will only be 4GB per slot if you have a normal configuration other than the 3D screen + the 3GB GT555M 3D capable gpu which will allow you to upgrade to a maximum of 16GB (4x4GB).

 

Why non 3d cant accept 8 gb???I think that non 3d motherboard is the same as 3d only with 2 cuted dimms slots.All other things is the same.If 3d motherboard suport 8 gb stick per slot and non 3d must support it.My opinion.And the other hand 2X8 gb kit is at the prcce at a whole laptop if not much more.

 

I don't think you need the 2720, just a quad core, which means the 2630QM should have 4 DIMMs. I will confirm that as soon as I get my laptop

 

After significant internal research, Dell has assured me that the non-3D 1080p i7-2720qm 555m w/3GB I've ordered will support up to 16GB total with its specific motherboard. It will most likely be 2 x 8GB max, but if not could also mean there are 2 additional DIMM slots which are on the flip side of the motherboard, not generally user-accessible. I should be able to confirm this and share the motherboard part number using HWiNFO32 once it arrives.

Note however, I'm told that some of the 900p motherboards (which apparently are different still), do only support a max of 2 x 4GB in the XPS 17.

I'd found one person ( SMP Homer) who received a 900p XPS 17 with all 4 functional DIMM slots. We don't know if this was a mistake or what. I'm also trying to get the motherboard part number and item-numbers that led to this lucky setup (which should work fine with the non-3D 1080p). Still waiting to hear back from him via PM.

They are definitely different motherboards and the video options are built into them. For example, we believe the 3D models have hardwired their 3D display panels to the discrete Nvidia GPU, completely disabling Optimus and the integrated Intel GPU and its new features (Quick Sync, etc). So far, I've noted at least six different motherboards ( some here) in the XPS 17s from my research and am gathering as many details as possible to help with our future orders.

Much of this complication arose when Intel recalled the first release of the new Sandy Bridge chipsets. Dell is struggling to get their tech specs and advertising back in order.

I had previously received the 3D i7-2630qm 555m w/3GB and can confirm 4 DIMM slots.

 

Does this mean there are 8GB ram sticks available now ?

 

Available... well, not exactly to us... quite yet...

They are brand new and outrageously expensive. About the only way anyone can put their hands on them at this point is buying a business laptop intended for crazy mobile computing (scientific work, etc). You will not find them "for sale" anywhere just yet.

Here's the Dell Precision M6500 laptop (not yet Sandy Bridge) which can be upgraded to a total of 32GB using 4 DIMMs (4 x 8GB). ( link) As you can see, Dell is asking a couple thousand dollars per chip! I've heard it rumored Dell may be paying around $1000 each, but regardless... wow!

So yes, they exist, but no you won't be seeing them unless your ready to sell your house. Give 'em time and they'll come down considerably as all memory does. But don't ever expect them to be as affordable as a pair of 4GB modules.

PS: Mind you, 16GB is an insane amount of memory and overkill for most anything we could do with these machines today. It's just a lot of us are looking forward to tomorrow with a touch of trepidation.

 

Very informative! I'm so glad that we had this discussion. I had a long conversation with a few Dell Customer Support Officers. All of them assured me that XPS 17 with 3D screen + 3GB GT555M (3D capable) will be equipped with 4 memory slots (4x4GB=16GB). As for other configurations, you would only have 2 memory slots.

8GB per slick is uncommon as it is generally used by OEM and it is not yet widely available to the public. The only concern which I have is that if you have 2 memory slots and wished to purchase 2x8GB, you would need to ensure that the BIOS and in Windows will be able to read them all.

I am wondering if I could change it to 4x8GB next time when 8GB per slick is widely available in the near future... Dream on... As far as I know, you could purchase a slick of 8GB for desktop computers for the moment.

I am not sure whether the 8GB per slick would be a registered memory after all... Curious.

 

The motherboard specs I was given suggest the max memory will be 16gb regardless of number of slots. So, I'm afraid we'll have to keep that one a dream for now. Not sure about any BIOS limitations, but Windows x64 can take anything we'll be able to throw at it with these systems.

The desktop modules are easier to make given they have more physical real estate to work with, but more importantly they've been out longer and aren't such "prized" items as they once were. They are still a little pricey but nothing like these laptop SODIMMs (Small Outline DIMMs).

The thing I wonder about turns more towards the reduction of bandwidth with the 2 slot system I'll be getting. Admittedly, the speeds are insane and will hardly be any kind of bottleneck, but I have to wonder how much more impressive a set of say triple-channel memory modules would be. Or even, quad-channel if that's possible on these machines. I dunno; it's just my OCD pondering getting carried away.

The cost of 8gb modules in a few years is the real bottom line. At this point, we can only speculate how that market will play out. For even my insane usage scenarios, a pair of 4gb modules will end up doing quite nicely for the foreseeable future.

 

Well, I've just received my XPS 17 with 3D screen + 3GB GT555M 3D capable gpu and it has 4 DIMM slots. I gave a call to Dell and one technician told me that the Precision does not hold more than 16GB. I then went onto the Dell UK website and it does not offer anything more than 16GB though... It is the same goes to the Alienware M17X. However, you could still have 4 memory slots even though you are not buying the 3D screen for the Alienware M17X.

 

Dear AquaeAtrae,

I have noticed that your current computer (the 3D L702x) is going back to Dell since it has no AES, no Quick Sync and no WIDI (no WIDI is a huge unforeseen problem for me)

Its seems however that there are a multitude of tradeoffs with these L702x's ....

I do want 1080p screen (that is True Life and fairly Bright)... but with a Screen on "just Released" NON 3D 1080p screen ... those two are missing - you get Non TureLife, a AntiGlare screen with less brightness 300 vs 400 (i presume WLED,.... so still no RG+B screen which is a terrific looking screen (seen it on an older Studio Laptop)

I do want WIDI (wireless display @ 1080p resolution) - and my 3D L702x does not provide that - unless I am mistaken

I do want to fill it up with ram to 16GB, but as i understand now, with just two slots its a hit or miss when we actually will have 8GB SO-DIMMS.

I wonder if I should just return the Lappy (which i like very much) and wait a bit more when DELL releases a screen that is BG+R LED and is 1080p ... ABSOLUTELY NOT SURE WHY THEY TOOK A HUGE STEP BACK??? anyone knows? supply issues?

Also maybe I should just give up and upgrade the screen myself to the 1080p, as some folks did on this 17" laptop...

Really undecided here, as i can't have it all .... in this Q2 of 2011 =(

Thanks for all submissions.

To Clear things up with the memory I was an owner (for couple of days) of L702X GT550 1GB 2720QM 9Cell Battery - came with 2 dimms open The other Two Looked like they are there... but there is NO CLIPS and no place to put in the memory.... so it looks like its true what folks are saying with 4 DIMMs open you have to get the Step Up of Graphics to the 3GB one...

Again, thanks all for your posts!

 

As mentioned - You need to order 3D screen + 3G GT555M 3D capable GPU to be able to have 4 Slots on the motherboard. I think it is discrimination. With 3D, the 3GB GT555M gpu is always on and it has a knock on effect on the XPS 17's battery life. I wish that Dell will release a successor to the L702X which will include auto switching between the HD 3000 and the Nvdia GPU.

 

You seem to have your information pretty much right (no thanks to Dell's website, of course). The Wireless Display is the only one of these features Dell correctly noted as unavailable with the 3D panel configuration. Without having the integrated Intel HD Graphics GPU connected to the display, it is impossible to have WiDi or any of the Sandy Bridge visual enhancements (see demo).

As for brightness, we may find the non-3D 1080p panel to be pretty decent. Keep in mind that the 3D panel had to be ridiculously bright to compensate for the active shutter glasses (where each eye receives half as much light). I suspect I'll actually like the Anti-Glare better than True-Life (glossy) myself. Watched a movie the other night and was a little disappointed to see my reflections staring back at me through most of the dark scenes. But of course, this is always a matter of preference.

All reports seems to suggest replacing the display is quite feasible. I'm actually kinda curious what would happen if we attached the 3D Panel to the non-3D base, running the video through Optimus and the Intel GPU and connecting the IR emitter to an internal USB pin-out (if present). It's entirely speculative, but I kinda wanna believe it could work (but just doesn't meet Nvidia's requirements for "3D Vision" certification). At the very least, I'm confident the super-bright 120Hz TL screen would work fine.

Not sure if its something I'll ever try personally as portable 3D is something of a playful novelty and external options are more affordable. But I honestly wouldn't be surprised to see a how-to video posted to show off a hack like this in the coming months. If the IR emitter can't connect, there'd also be the option of external emitters or possibly Samsung's Bluetooth glasses. But only time will tell.

 

It seems that you say the non-3D version will also come with 4 slots if the GPU is 555m??

 

My research suggests that the "non-3D 1080p motherboards w/3GB video RAM" show technical specifications listing "2 accessible DIMM slots" and "16gb maximum memory". However, no one could verify whether that was using 2 x 8GB modules or if there might, possibly, be two additional DIMM slots on the backside of the motherboard which are not "user-accessible". I'll certainly let you know when I find out (still "In Production").

 

Thank you. I was thinking that the 2 user-inaccessible is bull since I've never encountered something like that. Even with the Asus G, Zepto. Everything is accessible, I don't really care about the warranty, but the question is, does it really have 4 slots? And I doubt it does... Dell...

 

Confirm that 900p has 4 slots:

Dell studio XPS 17 L702X Laptop , 3GB Garphics,16GB RAM | eBay UK

 

Hey mavericke, did you get your L702x to support all four 4GB SoDIMMs?

I originally ordered mine (3D Full HD Video, GT 555m 3GB, 4 Slots), with only 4GB RAM because I wanted to upgrade it myself to 16GB, and it seems that it will only let me put in 2 of my Corsair DDR3 1333MHz DIMMS. in the bottom slots (1,3), but if I try to put in 2x4GB in the top slots (2,4) I get the 4 beep tone at power up indocating a RAM problem. But I can keep in the original 4GB of Dell RAM in slots 1,3 and add 2x4GB in slots 2,4 and I get 12GB working memory. NO matter which of my 4 4GB DIMMS I try to use.

It is weird. Here are the combinations I've tried:

2x2GB Dell RAM in slots 1,3 = 4GB total -- works fine.
2x2GB Dell in slots 1,3 + 2x4GB Corsair in slots 2,4 (any combination of my 4) = 12GB -- works fine.
2x4GB Corsair in slots 1,3 = 8GB total -- works fine.
4x4GB Corsair in all slots = 16GB total -- error tones at power-up.
2x4GB Corsair in slots 1,3 + 2x2GB Dell in slots 2,4 = 12GB total -- error tones at power-up.

Did you have any problems with yours and how much RAM did you start with when you ordered it?

 

Maybe it was mistakenly assembled & quickly grabbed off the eBay site.

Looks like be settling for a non-3D 1080p with gpu550 1MB.
& with only 2 DIMM slots
Don't need 3D on Laptop as watching 3D on a 65" TV is far more enjoyable.

 

Just thought I would give a head's up.
Dell has or will have "corrected" system boards available soon that will allow the maximum 16GB of RAM. this system board will only be offered with the Nvidia GeForce GT 555M 3GB "discrete" vid card, BUT you do not, I say DO NOT have to have the 3D option. I am due to receive one of these corrected system boards so that I can have my maximum of 16GB of RAM. see this Dell forum for more details.
Stickin my nose in where it don't belong....

 

Why WiDi so important? Isn't L702X has HDMI? You also need WiDi router (extra $$$) to make it work...

a simple 10ft (CHEAP) HDMI can do the magic...

 

A 10ft cable still isn't wireless.

 

Exactly. I can hook up the PTV1000(approx $80.00 U.S.) to a HDMI ready TV and be able to move about with tripping or worrying about being tethered to a cable. Plus, it's just cool. I work with a think tank and it's conducive to my work.

 

Until then, need to get green light from Dell Upper Mgmt to change on this site :
XPS 17 Laptop - Feel the Thrill with 3D Laptop Screen | Dell

"Support for more than 8GB of memory is available on systems with a 3D Display, Microsoft Windows® 7 Home Premium and NVIDIA® GT 555M
3GB."

I need a double strikethrough on that bold letters.

 

I just tried configure a XPS 17 non-3D with GT555M/3GB, 9 cell batteries, but I still can only upgrade up to 8GB memory instead of 12 or 16GB. Is Dell going to change that to make it clear there will be 4 slot of memory banks?

 

Sorry guys, I wasn't inferring sales, but replacements. that's my fault for not being more specific. eventually it will effect sales, but for us who have already received and was promised 16 GB and have documented complaints, it will happen soon.
My Bad.

 

No need to apologize, it's no big deal

Hope they put up these newer model for sales and not wait too long.

Let us know how it works for you when you get it

 

If you were debating between the two, wouldn't you be better off with an HP Envy 17? They give you the option of 16GB RAM on 2 Dimms as opposed to having 4 Dimms. Now the really important question is what is faster, having 16 on 2 or having 16 on 4?

 

16GB on 2 DIMMS? And how much do they charge for this? 8GB DIMMS are very few and extraordinarily expensive. Not a realistic option for 99.9% of people, as the 2 sticks of RAM will run you as much as the laptop itself.

As for 2x8 versus 4x4, I should think the 4x4 will be a decent bit quicker as you have more bandwidth available.

 

Oh well, yeah, the price is ridiculously expensive it's like $500 just for the option but there is a lower option too like the 12GB is right around $330. But the way HP is marketing the ENVY, it seems they want people to purchase the most expensive crap for it. Like for starters, I realized that they don't offer the i7-2720QM at all with this computer, odd that they don't especially since it's a legitimate mid-range processor. Thus forcing people to choose either the 2630 (the standard) or 2820 (which is just as much the RAM).

Also OP, if 4x4 is faster, ignore all my posts and purchase the XPS because that will make you PC future-proof. I'm not a fan of 3D screens and certainly not a fan of current screens in general because of the whole 16:9 debacle. But as it seems 3D screens will definitely be in the future of computing, so I would seriously look at getting at it, what's the worst that could happen? You get a semi-seizure and you sue the crap out Dell and get rich?

 

Newegg has 8gb sticks for $48 each:

Newegg.com - Guilt-Free Makeover for Your Computer - $99.99 Seagate 1TB HDD, $19.99 NETGEAR Desktop Switch!

 

8GB sticks have indeed become affordable, amazing considering where they were a year ago ($800 per stick and near impossible to get when Sandy Bridge launched). I routinely see top brands like Corsair with 2x8GB packs of 1333 laptop RAM for $100 now. Just, wow!

 

Ok guys I just want to throw it out there so you can comment on it. I just saw a guy post a review about Dell XPS 17 L702X being able to handle 32 GB of 4X8 GB RAM. This is the link to the Patriot Memory review. A user named Netwerkz101 wrote the following review.


Netwerkz101
12/15/2011 6:32:21 PM
Tech Level:
Ownership:
Verified Owner
XPS 17 (L702X) - Works
Pros: Relatively cheap compared to other third party offerings.
Way cheaper than Dell's option for 32GB on an XPS 17 (L702X).

Cons: None

Other Thoughts: Lot of uncertainty about the Dell XPS 17 (L702X) with 4 memory slots being able to run 4x8GB modules for 32GB.

Until I bought to test... I was doubtful .... but now I have proof as my laptop is now fitted with 32GB of memory and it works fine. BIOS sees it, Windows 7 64Bit sees it ..... Purpose: VMware Workstation 8 with many ram hungry virtual machines.

 

Nice to have confirmation, but not shocking. If you have one of the i7's that supports over 16GB RAM why not, there is no Dell-imposed RAM amount limitation. Obviously you will need Win 7 Pro or higher to use it (or an alternative OS).

 

Wanted to add, I have a XPS 17 L702X. Came with 4Gb + 2Gb memory SODIMM's
This is an i7, with 3D Video and thus has 4 SODIMM slots.

Went and bought two Kingston SODIMM's for R270+Vat each (approx US$32).
Worked just fine - but felt having the 2Gb SODIMM upset my Feng Shui..
Went back to the shop, they only had a single 8Gb SODIMM for R350 ($42) - no brainer. Worked.
Didn't know there were 8Gb SODIMM's available until then.
To balance my Feng Shui, bought and installed a second 8Gb.
They are all Kingston pieces - KVR1333D3S9 - either 4G or 8G.

I run 64bit Linux (Gentoo), I have 24Gb of RAM. an 'lshw of the RAM section shows...

*-memory
description: System Memory
physical id: 32
slot: System board or motherboard
size: 24GiB
*-bank:0
description: SODIMM DDR3 Synchronous 1333 MHz (0.8 ns)
product: 9905428-093.A00LF
vendor: Kingston
physical id: 0
serial: 6B0416D6
slot: ChannelA-DIMM0
size: 8GiB
width: 64 bits
clock: 1333MHz (0.8ns)
*-bank:1
description: SODIMM DDR3 Synchronous 1333 MHz (0.8 ns)
product: 9905428-041.A00LF
vendor: Kingston
physical id: 1
serial: 2718ADA6
slot: ChannelA-DIMM1
size: 4GiB
width: 64 bits
clock: 1333MHz (0.8ns)
*-bank:2
description: SODIMM DDR3 Synchronous 1333 MHz (0.8 ns)
product: 9905428-093.A00LF
vendor: Kingston
physical id: 2
serial: 6B045DD6
slot: ChannelB-DIMM0
size: 8GiB
width: 64 bits
clock: 1333MHz (0.8ns)
*-bank:3
description: SODIMM DDR3 Synchronous 1333 MHz (0.8 ns)
product: 99U5428-040.A01LF
vendor: Kingston
physical id: 3
serial: 3A32385E
slot: ChannelB-DIMM1
size: 4GiB
width: 64 bits
clock: 1333MHz (0.8ns)


Just wished Virtualisation worked. Some flag in the CPU will not allow virtualisation to work?