Alienware 18 RAM upgrade

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Spyhawk35

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Apr 13, 2014
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I just bought an Alienware 18 with 8GB RAM. I would like to upgrade it to 16GB but i have a couple questions. I am new to this whole thing and don't know much, so sorry if my questions are dumb!

1) I know i need RAM that is 1.35V but does it matter if its CL9 or CL11?

2) Is it better/more beneficial to have 4* 4GB units or 2* 8GB units?

3) What are good brands to look for? Like who had better built units with quality hardware?

4) Where are the stock RAM located? Do they start with the slots under the key board or under the back plate?

Thank you for any and all help!
 
Solution
Eduello


So it has 4 DIMMs already installed? That's weird... In any case, if you are going to be replacing the old RAM it won't matter whether you get 4x4GB or 2x8GB, both will perform equally well. Kingston, Corsair and G. Skill are really good brands, you should give them a try.

Memory is the fastest when it has lower latency and higher clock speed, so 1600/1866MHz CL9 memory should be ideal for you.
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Eduello

Eduello

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Mar 2, 2014
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1. CL9 is better since it has less latency.

2. Depends on what you have at the moment (full system specs please).

3. I'd recommend getting the same exact RAM you already have. If you already have 2 4GB sticks, get two more if they can fit your PC.

4. Sorry, I have no clue.
 
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Spyhawk35

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Processor: Intel Haswell 4th Generation i7-4700MQ Quad Core Processor
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium
Hard Drive: 750GB SATA 2.5" 7200 RPM Hard Drive (will add a samsung 840 pro 512gb SSD)
Memory: 8 GB Dual Channel DDR3L 1600 MHz SDRAM (2 x 4GB DIMMs)
Video Card: Dual NVIDIA GeForce GTX 765M 2GB GDDR5 SLI Enabled
Display: 18.4" WLED FHD 1920 x 1080 TrueLIfe Display
Optical Drive:
8x Slot Load Dual Layer DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW, CD-RW)
 
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Eduello

Eduello

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Mar 2, 2014
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Seeing as your RAM is already running in dual channel mode, you must already have 2x4GB sticks. How many sticks can your laptop take in total? If it has two slots in total, you'll have to replace the old sticks and therefore any 2x8GB 1600MHz CL9 kit will do. If it has four, meaning that you could add two more, you'll have to find out what exact model the old RAM is and get two 4GB sticks of the same RAM. This info can be acquired with Speccy: http://www.piriform.com/speccy
 
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Eduello

Eduello

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Mar 2, 2014
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So it has 4 DIMMs already installed? That's weird... In any case, if you are going to be replacing the old RAM it won't matter whether you get 4x4GB or 2x8GB, both will perform equally well. Kingston, Corsair and G. Skill are really good brands, you should give them a try.

Memory is the fastest when it has lower latency and higher clock speed, so 1600/1866MHz CL9 memory should be ideal for you.
 
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Solution
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Pinhedd

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Aug 7, 2007
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1. You can use 1.5 volt memory. All 1.35 volt memory (DDR3L) is capable of running at 1.5 volts. They are identical products, the 1.35 volt memory is generally of higher quality though.

2. 4 * 4GiB may yield slightly lower latencies and cost less, but 2 * 8GiB leaves room for future expansion and will draw slightly less power

3. Kingston makes terrific high performance SODIMM modules under the HyperX brand. I use them in my Alienware M17x R3

4. Most of the Alienware motherboards have two DIMM slots on the top located underneath the keyboard, and two DIMM slots located on the bottom easily accessible through removal of the bottom cover
 
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Spyhawk35

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Apr 13, 2014
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Eduello: it has four Dimm slots but only two are used with the stock memory. And thank you for the brands to look for, i will take a look at them!

Pinhedd: the new alienware' s require 1.35V memory, otherwise you get errors. And thank you for your input! I will check that brand out!

Also i see different brands with CL9 have different timings... ones 9-9-9-9-28 and another is 9-9-9-9-24. What does that mean and do i need to worry about it??
 
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Eduello

Eduello

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Well 9-9-9-24 is faster, but the difference is minimal.
 
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