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    6GB RAM vs. 8GB RAM

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Wolfborne, May 17, 2011.

  1. Wolfborne

    Wolfborne Notebook Guru

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    I am not a gamer and I don't do anything really intensive on a computer. I understand how RAM works, but for moderate use would there be any real benefit to upgrading the RAM to 8GB from 6GB, other than going from 3 DIMMs x 2GB to 2 DIMMS x 4GB?

    Do any programs have problems with 3 DIMMs x 2 GB setups?
     
    Wolfborne, May 17, 2011
    #1
  2. Karamazovmm

    Karamazovmm Overthinking? Always!

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    the xps 15 have 2 slots only

    there are so few laptops that can pack more than 2 slots
     
    Karamazovmm, May 17, 2011
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  3. phanpride

    phanpride Notebook Consultant

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    you should upgrade to ssd u wont notice too much of a difference with ram upgrade
     
    phanpride, May 17, 2011
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  4. Hungry Man

    Hungry Man Notebook Virtuoso

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    Moving from 6-8GB of RAM will give you very very little improvement, especially in your situation. If you're looking for an upgrade see if a SSD fits in your budget.
     
    Hungry Man, May 17, 2011
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  5. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

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    Even if you are not a gamer, really depends on your RAM usage. Are you a heavy multitasker or do you like to keep lots of programs open simultaneously? Do you use virtual machines or edit lots of photos and video? And I don't think you can do 3 dimms, it's either 1,2, or 4 slots. You're better off getting a 4GB stick, removing one of your 2GB ones and have 6GB that way.
     
    HTWingNut, May 17, 2011
    #5
  6. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    The only notebooks with 3 SODIMM slots use desktop CPUs. 99% of notebooks have only 2 slots and for a 6GB configuration, it's 1x2GB and 1x4GB. But for moderate use, you won't notice any difference between 6GB and 8GB.
     
    sgogeta4, May 17, 2011
    #6
  7. KCETech1

    KCETech1 Notebook Prophet

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    incorrect, my Elitebook 8740W uses a laptop CPU and has 4 slots for up to 32 GB as do a couple of the Dell mobile workstations and other Elitebooks.


    to the OP I agree that in MOST cases for now 6GB is sufficient and if you wanted to speed up your machine a good SSD is the way to go. as for how the ram woul work I would try to post the question in th applicable manufacturrs forum and see if any one has tried it. I can see no reason why 2 x 4GB should not work fine unless it requires tri channel on the DDR3 as some desktops do.
     
    KCETech1, May 17, 2011
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  8. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

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    I think he meant 3 slot configuration, which would be the triple channel DDR3 and that is ONLY on socket 1156 / 1366 Core i desktop CPU's. No mobile motherboard / CPU were made to use triple channel. Most notebooks up to 15" only have 2 slots, some 15" have four, but most 17" and larger have four. Mine does, and have 4x4GB, considering how cheap DDR3 laptop RAM is.
     
    HTWingNut, May 17, 2011
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  9. KCETech1

    KCETech1 Notebook Prophet

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    I thought there were a couple of them with tri channel, I have seen units marked with 12GB and would suspect 3 x 4GB on those because 8's are VERY expensive as my sig may tell you
     
    KCETech1, May 17, 2011
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  10. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

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    What units? It could be two 4GB and two 2GB.
     
    HTWingNut, May 17, 2011
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  11. KCETech1

    KCETech1 Notebook Prophet

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    again true, time for more coffee for this girl ... I will see if I can find which ones they were. we were looking at alot of machines for work here in Jan and they came up.

    UPDATE: I cede defeat HTWingNut, it was a Dell workstation with 4GB in 3 of its 4 slots. WHY the quote came like that makes no sense to me
     
    KCETech1, May 17, 2011
    #11