Dell Precision M6900

Are you are referring to Intel's current and prior generations of desktop i7 processors being unable to handle 64GB? There are not any current laptops, except maybe the Eurocoms with Xeon CPU and desktop RAM modules, that can handle over 32GB. I didn't know about that 64GB issue though, that is interesting. I wonder if you have a good link or thread describing it. I couldn't find anything although I didn't search very hard.

But yes, hopefully once 16GB RAM modules become available (in desktop or laptop form) Intel will have that 64GB problem fixed. We wouldn't want to be capped at under 64GB in systems that can hold 4-8 16GB modules. I wonder if the memory controller problem exists when running something like 40GB or 48GB, or if it is only when at 64GB that the problem exists? Or could it be a motherboard manufacturer problem...? ie. The Intel processors may be capable of running 64GB but maybe the mobo bios is buggy and preventing it? If you have an article or thread describing the issue that would help me understand it better. Thanks!

I'm really looking forward to what Intel will have for us in the area of high end mobile CPUs... if they will have more than 4 cores, able to handle more than 32GB, etc. Dell too will of course need to R&D to support these things.

 

Here:AnandTech | I'M Intelligent Memory to release 16GB Unregistered DDR3 Modules

 

Thank you for that link.


I had trouble understanding the issue just from reading the article (it began to go over my head) until I started reading some of the comments posted below it

If that comment is a correct summary then it appears that the Intel issue is with 16GB modules and not directly related to the total amount of system RAM. In other words, intel can handle 64GB RAM, but unable to handle 16GB modules. That affects laptops indirectly though because we will likely only have a max of four DIMM slots which means we'd have to use 16GB modules to achieve 64GB.

Thank you again for posting the link.

 

You pretty much summed it up.

 

The laptop manufacturers are limited by their suppliers. There's no new stuff being offered so they don't have anything to update to. You will just get last year's tech in a new and/or re-badged body.

Auto manufacturers have been doing that for decades. Sometimes every 5 years but as long as 10 years (the engines), before there is any real significant technology that improves their product. A 2015 is really a 2014 with a different grill and/or maybe lights.

Now if Dell -- or others -- came out with a modular laptop, now the internal tech wouldn't mean so much. I'd just upgrade components. Just like I do with my ram, HDDs, etc.

 

One more thing that's way overdue:

Display External Only Mode. These devices pretty much already exist (modular pad/keyboards), its just that nobody has yet made them convenient to use the screen solely as a display -- separate from the unit.

 

I think there have been advancements. I really hope they make it to the next release of mobile precision laptop. The advancements I'm thinking of are the more powerful and efficient (and cooler running) Nvidia GPUs, the newer M.2 connection interface with much faster and slimmer storage options, newer more efficient (cooler running) CPUs of course, improved displays, etc. You say there is no new stuff yet those are relatively new and pretty significant, in my opinion. I don't know how much if any will make it to the next mobile precision, but that what this thread is about... hoping and dreaming. But you think it will just be same as m6800 with different cpu and pretty much same gpu and same old SATA/mSATA? I hope that isn't what it will be like.

 

I think you're right Intel processors at this moment can only address 32 GB RAM. thats why Dell isn't even making any effort to stuff more memory on their computers.

Xeon processors on the other side support more than 700GB on a single chip. Thats why Eurocom Release computer opens a universe of possibilities. They name it Mobile Server, I think Dell should check this idea out.

 

Looking at that link, it says it will only support up to 32GB...?


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Those things weight a ton, have desktop CPUs, require dual power supplies and you'll be lucky if they last more than 30 minutes on battery. So far, only Clevo has ever been willing to cover that market. HP, Lenovo, Dell, Toshiba, Fujitsu and all of the others haven't covered that market and the reasons are somewhat understandable. That laptop is basically a portable desktop, in which case, you may as well go with a custom desktop build in a case that while slightly more heavy and bulky will allow to cram even more power in there. You see those kind of custom boxes used in some induastrial and science fields where you need real number crunching performance that you can safely transport.