OT- question about laptop memory

SportSavant · Jan 31, 2011

I am looking at this machine:
http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-m11x/pd?refid=alienware-m11x&~ck=mn

I noticed the ram is this:
2GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 800MHz

I am thinking about getting the PC then upgrading the ram myself, but how does one know what ram is good for what computer?

I found this:
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/PopupProductDetail.aspx?sku=A3520619

but it says memory speed 1066MHZ wheras my laptop is 800MHZ, does this make a diffrence?

what about this memory?
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=4096DDR3NB10600-MCT&cat=RAM

I noticed that Dell wants $350 to upgrade to 8GB of ram, yet I can buy 8GB for about $100.... also ill have my two other sticks of ram I can sell.... But dont want to buy the wrong type.

quantumleap · Jan 31, 2011

Dell is pretty good about providing online support using the service tag number. Once you buy a Dell you put in your service tag and it will tell you which RAM you need. Go down to the local RAM store and give them the specs and they will sell you the sticks and answer any questions you may have.

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/memconfig.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19

Murphy8276 · Feb 1, 2011

The Ram that comes with the computer is running at 800MHZ and the RAM u are considering buying tops out at speed of 1066MHZ

Most RAM will downgrade itself automatically to match the speed of the lowest RAM in the system at one time.. so yes u can buy the 1066MHZ but u will only get 800MHZ speed out it if you mix it with the 800MHZ RAM.

best place to ever research for RAM online is http://crucial.com

u can have your computer scanned and it will automatically show u what u have and what you can upgrade to, or you can manually enter your computer in.

if they have a good price buy it their as they guarantee it, but I personally take those specs and go right to ebay

here is your start on crucial if your getting the core 2 duo version of that laptop - http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=M11x (Core 2 Duo)

hope this helps

-murph

SportSavant · Feb 1, 2011

It seems absurd, I can buy the computer with two 1GB's of ram for a total of 2GB's.

If I upgrade to two 4GB's for a total of 8GB's then they want $350 extra.

Yet... I can buy the two 4GB sticks for a mere $100 + I would also have the two 1GB sticks as reserves to sell.

SportSavant · Feb 1, 2011

Murphy8276 said:
The Ram that comes with the computer is running at 800MHZ and the RAM u are considering buying tops out at speed of 1066MHZ

Most RAM will downgrade itself automatically to match the speed of the lowest RAM in the system at one time.. so yes u can buy the 1066MHZ but u will only get 800MHZ speed out it if you mix it with the 800MHZ RAM.

hope this helps

-murph

ok.... so the MHZ doesnt really matter?

what is the most important factor to make sure that ram you are looking for actually works?

celticGreen+ · Feb 1, 2011

SportSavant said:
ok.... so the MHZ doesnt really matter?

what is the most important factor to make sure that ram you are looking for actually works?

If it's the same speed, it'll probably work - the form factor for laptop memory is pretty standard at this point, so as long as you stick with ddr3 (and it's laptop memory) you should be fine. Crucial is good, corsair and ocz are also good.

Murphy8276 · Feb 1, 2011

SportSavant said:
It seems absurd, I can buy the computer with two 1GB's of ram for a total of 2GB's.

If I upgrade to two 4GB's for a total of 8GB's then they want $350 extra.

Yet... I can buy the two 4GB sticks for a mere $100 + I would also have the two 1GB sticks as reserves to sell.

if this is the case just get the standard 2gb that come with it and buy the 2X 4GB sticks of DDR3 at 1066MHZ and sell ur 2X1GB sticks on ebay for about 20$ a piece or 30$ for the pair (so u pay 70 is all for the sticks

)

and then u have ur memory running at 1066MHZ for sure.

(to answer the question as to if the MHZ matters.. of course) but if u have 1 stick at 800 and a stick at 1066 . the 1066 downgrades to 800 automatically.. so having two at the highest possible rate (in your example 1066MHZ) is ur best bet.

-murph

SportSavant · Feb 1, 2011

Thanks for the information guys, this is obviously the best way to go.

FearTheRaven · Feb 1, 2011

Great insight by Murph. I work in the IT field and his info is spot-on.

GL SS

Murphy8276 · Feb 2, 2011

FearTheRaven said:
Great insight by Murph. I work in the IT field and his info is spot-on.

GL SS

thanks raven.. i appreciate the vote of confidence.

SportsSavant....

I found an amazing deal on your laptop memory. they have the 1066MHZ and the 1333MHZ (for $1.50 more( lol) very worth it) $67 for 2X4GB sticks!...then sell your 2X1GB sticks on ebay and you it should only cost ya bout $40!

The coupon is only good for 2000 uses.. im sure it will run out soon

DESKTOP
Ewiz has 4GB (1x4GB) Super Talent DDR3-1333 Value Desktop Memory for $38.49 - 15% off with code KICKOFF = $32.72. Shipping is free.
If you order two sets, total is $65.43 shipped.

NOTEBOOK
Ewiz also has 4GB (1x4GB) Super Talent DDR3-1066 SODIMM Notebook Memory for $38.49 - 15% off with code KICKOFF = $32.72. Shipping is free.
If you order two sets, total is $65.43 shipped.

and the 4GB (1x4GB) DDR3-1333 SODIMM Notebook Memory for $39.49 - 15% off with code KICKOFF = $33.56. Shipping is free.
If you order two sets, total is $67.12 shipped.

hope this helps man... here is slickdeals.net thread I found it on.http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?sduid=827798&t=2631335

-murph

SportSavant · Apr 5, 2011

what does this mean?

<TABLE border=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD width="16%" align=right>

</TD><TD **rowColor**>[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]8GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm) [/FONT]
<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD> </TD><TD>[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The more memory you have, the better the performance when simultaneously running multiple, memory-intensive applications like photo editing and gaming. DISCLAIMER: Dual Channel is supported only when the system is configured with DD32 symmetric memory (e. g., 2x1024MB). [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

SportSavant · Apr 5, 2011

specifically the DD32 symetric memory part

SportSavant · Apr 5, 2011

This is the laptop:

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/s...ries_name=ENVY14be_series&a1=Category&v1=ENVY

celticGreen+ · Apr 5, 2011

I think it's a typo actually... Maybe Murph or one of the other computer guys will chime in, but I've never run across that term before. I think it was supposed to be DDR3, as "DDR" means Double Data Rate - so Double Data 3 2 wouldn't mean much of anything. They're just saying to achieve Dual Channel you'd need two of the same sticks of memory (2 4GB sticks, 2 2GB sticks, etc).

SportSavant · Apr 5, 2011

http://www.superbiiz.com/desc.php?name=W1333SB4GM

will the above memory work with the envy?

celticGreen+ · Apr 5, 2011

I believe so, yes - it's the right number of pins, and the speed is correct for the beats edition.

CujoLatte · Apr 5, 2011

I have to ask this question............why not a Mac?

wolfie_cr · Apr 6, 2011

CujoLatte said:
I have to ask this question............why not a Mac?

overrated and overpriced (and if you buy a mac be careful with the current megaissue they are having with their new laptops)

I work in IT and suporting mac's its a nightmare, it makes a guy that knows a lot (linux/etc blabla) feel like a total idiot (I spent 1 hr figuring out why a simple instruction I was giving my boss didnt work...........they had the root account disabled per default!!!)

Murphy8276 · Apr 6, 2011

SportSavant said:
what does this mean?

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]8GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm) [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The more memory you have, the better the performance when simultaneously running multiple, memory-intensive applications like photo editing and gaming. DISCLAIMER: Dual Channel is supported only when the system is configured with DD32 symmetric memory (e. g., 2x1024MB).[/FONT]

SportSavant said:
http://www.superbiiz.com/desc.php?name=W1333SB4GM

will the above memory work with the envy?

this memory would work yes... the memory information is just pointing out that for maximum memory output its best with 2 - DDR3 sticks which then make it duel channel memory like their example of 2X 1024MB(2X 1GB ) or higher (which of course is recommended)..u are going 2X 4GB it appears- once u buy the 2nd stick)...they are just calling this DDR32 symmetric memory as in DDR3 - 2 sticks (which will then open up duel capabilities)

***I wanted to point out that in the particular laptop u are looking at please make sure u get the 4GB DDR3 System Memory (1 Dimm) memory module with the computer because otherwise the 2 Dimm versions are already split up into two slots 4GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm) means there is 2X2GB sticks... U want 1X4GB stick so u can add another 1X4GB. could be a life saver had u have bought the wrong kind....and if u do NOT in fact buy the 2nd stick of 4GB.. u wont have Duel channel (DDR32 symmetric memory)

-murph

CujoLatte · Apr 6, 2011

wolfie_cr said:
overrated and overpriced (and if you buy a mac be careful with the current megaissue they are having with their new laptops)

I work in IT and suporting mac's its a nightmare, it makes a guy that knows a lot (linux/etc blabla) feel like a total idiot (I spent 1 hr figuring out why a simple instruction I was giving my boss didnt work...........they had the root account disabled per default!!!)

Maybe it's me but, I think there in lies your problem... You can't support it because you don't understand it. I know I don't get the virus issue with my apple stuff. It doesn't slow down cuz all the spyware. The customer support is hands down the best! In fact when you buy stuff off them they provide you with a free class to teach you how to use it!