Alienware laptop memory upgrade

[Halpak]

I recently purchased an Alienware m17x R4 and I'm looking to upgrade the memory from the stock sticks that came with it. I made the mistake of opting for memory in the additional slots under the keyboard.

My question is, if I replace the memory on the bottom with 16gb CL9 1600Mhz will I have to remove the sticks under the keyboard to utilize the speed of the new memory, or can I keep them in there and forego the nightmare of disassembling my new laptop?

Link to the memory I'm thinking of buying

http/www.amazon.com/1600MHz-PC3-12800-Notebook-KHX16S9P1K2-16/dp/B008H7IGGI/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

it may say 240 pin, but the customer reviews state that it is a typo and it is indeed 204 pin.

 

[Azn Cracker]

How much memory do you have on your laptop right now? 16gb of ram is a waste of money. Few games use more than 4gb.

But to answer your question, it is possible to mix ram and you won't see much performance decrease in doing so.

 

[Halpak]

How much memory do you have on your laptop right now? 16gb of ram is a waste of money. Few games use more than 4gb.

But to answer your question, it is possible to mix ram and you won't see much performance decrease in doing so.

I currently have 12gb. I'm planning to remove the 2x4gb sticks underneath and install the new modules for a lower CL. I can buy the same amount, 2x4gb, but I'm looking for a lower CL. I do play games and usually record some of my gameplay.

Would it be worth it to remove the higher CL ram under the keyboard to get better performance?


Also would this memory be sufficient?

http/www.amazon.com/Kingston-Modules-Notebook-KHX1600C9S3P1K2-8G/dp/B004Y4XAAK/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1360978213&sr=1-1&keywords=KHX1600C9S3P1K2%2F8G

 

[hang-the-9]

If that's the only thing you are changing, it would be a waste of money. You will see about a 1-2% change in games. Unless you run in overclocking and speed contests, that is nothing. You'd need about a 20% speed change to notice a difference.

 

[getochkn]

Agreed with above, total waste. You won't notice any real world performance with upgrading to a slightly less CL ram.

 

[Pinhedd]

I recently purchased an Alienware m17x R4 and I'm looking to upgrade the memory from the stock sticks that came with it. I made the mistake of opting for memory in the additional slots under the keyboard.

My question is, if I replace the memory on the bottom with 16gb CL9 1600Mhz will I have to remove the sticks under the keyboard to utilize the speed of the new memory, or can I keep them in there and forego the nightmare of disassembling my new laptop?

Link to the memory I'm thinking of buying

http/www.amazon.com/1600MHz-PC3-12800-Notebook-KHX16S9P1K2-16/dp/B008H7IGGI/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

it may say 240 pin, but the customer reviews state that it is a typo and it is indeed 204 pin.

I have an M17x R3. Disassembling the laptop to get access to the DIMM slots underneath the keyboards is not a particularly difficult task. Dell has published a service manual which details how to do it. You will just need a few small screwdrivers and that's it.

 

[techsamurai]

Hi,

You can refer the Dell Service Manual for installing memory at this link:

http/supportapj.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/Alw_M17xR4/en/OM/om_en.pdf


For compatible upgrades, you can refer another website:

http/www.memorystock.com/memory/DellAlienwareM17xR4.html

Good luck!