XPS 8700 Upgrade RAM

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bmgoodman

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Aug 10, 2006
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I just bought a Dell XPS 8700 Core i7-4770 computer from Costco. It came with 12 GB RAM (2x2GB + 2x4GB) of DDR3 1600 RAM. I removed the 2x4GB (for use in an older PC) and added Crucial 2x8GB Ballistix (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148561&Tpk=blt2cp8g3d1608dt1tx0) for $140.

With the original Dell RAM, Memtest86 5.01 shows the RAM operating at "798 Mhz DDR3-1596"

When I use the Crucial RAM alone, it shows "665 Mhz DDR3-1330". I get the same when I use the Crucial RAM with the 2x2GB Dell RAM.

It appears this is a common issue with the XPS 8700, from my online searching.

Crucial offers "guaranteed compatible" RAM (http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=EB42D211A5CA7304) for $164, though it looks like spec-wise it's inferior to what I purchased.

Should I buy the pricier "inferior" RAM or stay with what I have now? Is there going to be much difference running at 665 MHz versus 800 MHz?

FWIW, I ran Prime95 Blend test for 24 hours and I had no issues, so it would seem the system is stable with the current 20 GB.

(I guess one last option is to go back to the original 12 GB and wait for RAM prices to go down again.)

Constructive suggestions would be most appreciated!

 
Solution
cin19
For the RAM speed, most ram will be set to lowest speed, depends MB/CPU, by default. In Z87/i7 4770 the RAM will be 1333MHz in the low end. And you can change the speed in the BIOS, for old dell PC you can't change, but for the xps 8700 you maybe can do it.
If you can live with those 12 GB RAM, then you can wait for the price to drop and pick up more.
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bmgoodman

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Crucial tech support told me none of the Crucial memory sold by Micro Center is guaranteed compatible with my XPS 8700. So it looks like it's either the $163 RAM from them, stay with the "premium" RAM that's running slower (20 GB), or go back to 12 GB running at 800 Mhz and wait for cheaper RAM days ahead.
 
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cin19

cin19

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For the RAM speed, most ram will be set to lowest speed, depends MB/CPU, by default. In Z87/i7 4770 the RAM will be 1333MHz in the low end. And you can change the speed in the BIOS, for old dell PC you can't change, but for the xps 8700 you maybe can do it.
If you can live with those 12 GB RAM, then you can wait for the price to drop and pick up more.
 
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bmgoodman

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Thanks, but there seems to be no way to adjust RAM settings in BIOS. It's odd that the included RAM is correctly recognized as PC 1600, but this fancier RAM isn't recognized as PC 1600.

I'm just not sure there will really be much difference in system performance even if it is correctly recognized as PC 1600. I read somewhere it's like 3% difference.
 
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techy_dude

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I just thought it might be important to add that your system is not running DDR3 memory, it's running DDR3L memory which runs at about 1.3 volts (less than DDR3). Dell warns in the manual to not make the mistake of putting DDR3 into the system as it may (make that "eventually will") cause your system to become unstable. I understand it's been 7 months since you created this post, but I just found some G.skill ram of this variety. You should check around again, if you haven't already. You may find more options now.
 
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techy_dude

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Ok, so I did some more reading later and discovered allot of DDR3 ram produced now actually has two modes so that they can adjust in what voltage mode your computer requires. So my guess is if you search for a stick DDR3 and it lists the voltage @ 1.3 roughly or states that it has more than one voltage you should be ok. If you aren't sure you can always call or chat with the company; better safe than pissed off and anxious ;)
 
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