I need some help upgrading my new M6700

I need some help upgrading my new M6700 that I just got from Dell Outlet. I think I got a killer deal. Final price was $1,187 after getting an extra 10% off for some small scratches on the front of the case.

Specs….
Dell Outlet Precision Mobile Workstation M6700 Laptop

Processor: Intel Core 3rd Gen i7-3720QM Processor (2.6GHz, 6M cache, Upgradable to Intel vPro technology)
8GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1600MHz
750 GB SATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
8X Slot Load DVD+/-RW Drive
NVIDIA Quadro K3000M with 2GB GDDR5
Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 802.11n 3x3 Half Mini Card
17.3 Inch UltraSharp FHD (1920x1080) Wide View Anti-Glare


I want to get a SSD drive for my primary drive and move the 750 gig drive to the spare spot.
I am looking at getting a Samsung 840 Pro series. Any opinions on that drive?

I also want to upgrade the Ram.
Should I get 2 more 8 gig sticks at 1600Mhz or should I just replace the dell memory all together?

 

You can keep the Dell memory if you like, but make sure that the memory you get matches the original on all of the specs (CL rating, etc.), otherwise you will probably get bumped down to 1333 MHz. You can check the specs with CPU-Z. We've had a few reports of this happening when the modules don't match, and just looking at the speed alone won't guarantee that mismatched modules will run at the top speed.

(Or you can just dump the Dell memory and use all matching modules so that you don't have to worry about this.)

 

Replacing the C drive with an SSD is a great idea. However, the memory not so much. Replacing it will improve your performance marginally. Although I think adding more RAM (up to 8 GB) is more important than adding faster RAM.

Unless you run RAM specific programs (i.e. After Effects, Maya, etc.), more RAM beyond 8 GB will be of little use. Spend that on peripherals or a higher capacity SSD. Incidentally, I got mixed matched manufacturers RAM from Dell.

 

I just installed a Samsung 840 PRO into my system and think that it's great. Since it isn't compatible in everyway with the Dell OEM Samsung PM830 I relegated it to the secondary bay and it works good there. I did run it for a bit as the primary drive and it is was faster.

Krane has it right about putting the SSD in first then maybe a second SSD - it's the greatest DIY improvement that can be made; You have 8GB 1600 RAM, that is good; wait until you find out if you need more before going there.

 

I agree on the RAM, 8 GB is enough for any normal task, very few people have a need for 16 GB, let alone 32GB so your money is better spent on a good SSD, the Samsungs mentioned or an Intel SSD for the Warranty that comes with it (5 years on an Intel 520 is nice to have)

 

Samsung also has a 5 year warranty