[Confirmed RAM List + Feedback] - Alienware 17 R4 / 15 R3

What program is good for testing? I never really cared for testing RAM, even when having a desktop it was pretty much like you bought a stick for a certain range and they all gave like-performance. Or you paid 30-40$ more for "HyperX Beast or Dominator" which allowed for overclocking and better timings. None of which mattered for a laptop haha

 

AIDA64 Extreme Edition Use the Cashe and Memory Benchmark in Tools

 

@iunlock you can change the ram timmings using intel XTU. in fact i increased the speed from 1600 to 1866mhz you just have to spend a lot of time trying hahahaha

 

I like to read, try save myself a little cash on update by reading what other experiences others have, experienced. I can say that the 2400 hyperx in the 17 R3 with 6820hk runs noticeably difference to stock. The R3 allows for xmp profiles so you don't have to clock your ram to the speeds set by the cpu. The R4 is where I'm at, and I'm looking to buy the same ram again.. but its soooooo dam expensive! It's more now than when I bought it 6 months ago by like £150.. so I've been looking at other options. I'm starting to think Hyperx really is the only option for the 6820hk chip.

ALSO; I noticed someone RAID0 with an alienware R4 with 960.. did it with sm961 512gb.. didn't impress me, so didn't even bother benching it.

I'm going to India for 12 months and taking this bad boy with me, because I'll be running VIRL I need lots of ram and system to be running sweet.. HAS anyone got a alternative to the HyperX.. I can get the Corsair 3000mz for £150 (half the price).. Would someone with his marbles in a row recommend it?

 

After looking at all the options and getting some input by the likes of @D2 Ultima and @Mr. Fox, I have opted for the HyperX 2400MHz @ Cas 14.

I was also considering these: HyperX 2667MHz @ Cas 15, however...

Upon looking at the spec sheets (Thanks @D2 Ultima) the timings are 15-17-17 for what looks to be not to shabby based on just the first number (Cas 15), however, when you factor in everything else like the 17-17 afterwards, this is still not more desirable than;

The HyperX 2400MHz @ Cas 14-14-14 that I have on order.

As for the RAID, a Samsung 960 is already blazing fast so it's of no surprise that you wouldn't have been wow'ed too much, when we know in the real world most people would not be able to tell the difference.

Have fun on your trip! Bring me back some goodies to make tikka masala. Mango lassi...mmmm..

 

lol I'll be eating masala on toast!

Well the one you have was the one I originally bought for my r3 great bit of kit but didn't keep it. :/

The raid0. I've got 2x 512gb 961s.. Would you raid.?

I love the new r4 btw. You got the same?

 

Hi, just ordered the 4th tier with the 7820hk and 1080 but I just got the 8GB with plans to upgrade it to 32 later down the line. Does anyone know where I can get a OEM 8GB 2400MHz stick or does anyone have one laying around to sell to use in the meantime

 

Your talking £260 fir 32gb of the 2400 hyperx.. But the 7th gen you might be able to do better

 

It's actually a waste. This comes courtesy of Intel, who have capped the speed. So, NVME RAID0 is perma-crippled thanks to Big Blue. Whether they did that for honest and legitimate reasons is anyone's guess. My guess would be 'no' on that. Maybe with Optane on the roadmap they pulled an NVIDIA on us. We live in an age where the smoke and mirrors are used liberally to make the newest technology stand out by artificially crippling older technology. Basically the same foolish nonsense with Micro$loth and their draconian (but feeble) efforts to kill Windows 7 machines running Sky Lake and Kaby Lake CPUs. Nobody believed their lies, so the goons had to put on their Nazi uniform, LOL.

 

@iunlock look, i founf the perfect value to have 1800mhz stable, 1866mhz was unstable. is a pain on the ass to find the perfect values

 

Nice...thanks for the data...

Right now I'm testing all the stock RAM as we speak...

2x8GB - 2400MHz

2x8GB - 2667MHz

and

2x16GB - 2400MHz

---

The 2x8GB sticks at 2400MHz (Cas 17) had a Latency of: 61.8

The 2x8GB sticks at 2667MHz (Cas 19) had a Latency of: 62.7

See where the Cas Lat # is coming into play here?

However, the overall read/write speeds are noticabliy faster on the higher speed RAM, given....so when compared to the miniscual difference in talking nano seconds with the Latency, even with the 2667MHz with a higher Cas 19 ...

The question becomes...is that still the better stick in the, Real World performance and usage...

I'm thinking yes...

So this goes back to my question of the HyperX 2400 / Cas14-14-14 that I have on order.

Should I opt for the HyperX 2667 / Cas 15-17-17 instead?

@D2 Ultima, @Mr. Fox, @Papusan

 

@Mr. Fox i have a few questions ....
i can lower tRP to 9 so is possible 10-10-0-32 ( lowering tRP is better or no ? )
i can lower tRas to 22 or less, i read that too low is bad
i am going to try 10-10-9-29, also intel XTU suggest me that tRC should be tRAS+tRP = 38
the funny thing is that at stock 9-9-9-27 the tRC should be 36 but it was 39 :S so i dont know why

 

@iunlock i would opt for hyperx 2667 mhz and later tightening the timings

 

Yea from the research and tests that I've been doing myself, I think even with the 2667 / Cas 15-17-17, would edge the 2400 / Cas 14-14-14 at the end of the day....

I'll order those now so that both can be tested...

 

It's the DMI speed limitation.

@Meaker@Sager told me it requires a physical change to increase it from what it is now.

The amount of data that can pass through the DMI is listed for DMI 2.0 (Sandy/Ivy/Haswell/Broadwell and their -E variants) and DMI 3.0 (Skylake, Kaby Lake) and things running through the SATA interface and such all used this. There was no reason to increase the limit before very recently. DMI 2.0 is PCI/e 2.0 x4 (or 2GB/s) and DMI 3.0 is PCI/e 3.0 x4 (or 4GB/s). When Skylake launched, I think the fastest NVMe drive was a paltry 1500MB/s or something. RAID controllers have overhead, there was no real reason to run 3 and 4 of them to max out the DMI.

I suppose we could say intel should have looked to the future, but eh *shrugs*

So yes the limit is on purpose, but I don't think they exactly expected that it would REALLY be that much of a limit. Aaaand it isn't. Almost every action is in 4K QD1-4 state, where read/write speeds even with the best RAID controllers and a crapton of SSDs lined together won't even approach 4GB/s. Sequential is almost totally worthless, but it's a selling point, so it keeps getting checked.

 

Ah @judal57 you have the 17R3 right? Earlier I had thought you too had the 17R4... The ability to adjust timings via XTU on the 17R4 doesn't exit as far as I'm aware...

This is why I was contemplating between the 2400 @ Cas 14-14-14 or 2667 @ Cas 15-17-17...

I've tested a bunch of RAM yesterday and have concluded that in this scenario where we don't have the control to adjust the timings; that going with the faster 2667 @ Cas 15-17-17 would be more beneficial (<- not really) but you get what I mean.

 

Its one of the differences between mainstream and server. It's not really accidental.

 

Where do you find the settings to alter RAM timings? I tried finding something to do this before and couldn't.

Edit: oh, just saw he has a different version alienware, nvm then haha

Here's my 1x 16GB 2400Mhz HyperX. If AIDA64 was on sale i'd buy it, so I hope this is still useful. I just don't want to pay full price since I am no longer a desktop user so I don't really have a use for it outside of this screenshot

 

Here they are... about to turn it on now and run some tests.

I've been gaming and running RTSS ( btw v7.0.0 is out but still beta...working great so far without issues) to collect some data...



Now I can OC the CPU to 10.0GHz right? That's what customer care told me...but I have to use my XPS 130W PSU too...

j/k

 

Compare your results with this as you have same ram speed

 

LOL...okay so for fun and what it's worth (to many it's worth nothing as it really won't make a difference...) but I ran some tests with what I had in my unit stock:

LOL...okay so for fun and what it's worth (to many it's worth nothing as it really won't make a difference...) but I ran some tests with what I had in my unit stock:

Samsung 2400MHz @ Cas 17 vs HyperX 2667MHz @ Cas 15 vs SK Hynix 2667MHz @ Cas 19



The HyperX is obviously faster, but look at the Latency of the Samsung 2400MHz. Like a BOSS.

Also, that SK Hynix 2667MHz...so sad. ...Great quality / integrity chips (the best actually next to Samsung) but with horrible timings out of the box.

What makes it really bad is that you can't adjust the timings on the 17R4, but on the 17R3 you can? Mmm yea...that needs to change.

So I wonder how those SK Hynix 2667's will do tuned.

As for the Samsung at 2400MHz and holding its own, what can you say...it's Samsung. The King of Chips.

So is it worth it to upgrade your RAM? For 99.9% of the users, NO.

However...

I'll stick with the HyperX 2667MHz with the Cas 15-17-17 as in this case with not being able to change the timings, having faster RAM speed paired with the Kaby will at the end of the day brings more benefits to whatever degree that is worth to the user.

In this case...I rather have the faster RAM, since the timings are the best we're going to get for the 17R4 / 15R3, until there is miraculously a bios update that will unlock it.

.


@D2 Ultima, @Papusan, @Mobius 1, @DeeX, @zergslayer69, @Mr. Fox, @hmscott

 

Yea same speed, but remember I can't change the timings....

Mines is 2667 @ Cas 15-17-17-35

You RAM is at 2667 @ Cas 15-15-15-35

Remember my choices are limited due to not being able to change the timing....SMH...whereas on the 17R3 you can. LOL....oxymoron right?

 

For those of you interested in upgrading your RAM (Speed wise):

Is it worth it?

Short answer: NO.

Long answer: Maybe. Depends if you really need the speed / performance.

Please don't waste your money on the pretty sticker and black stealth look. It does look sexy yes...but there are other things you can spend the dosh on. IMO.

 

We talk about Dell right? But, but You can opt for 2x8GB 2667MHz ram with <very good> timings on Dell's site. Aka max 16GB for a nice deal

 

Haha forgot to add..with Cas 19 timings LOL... *face palm* ....why even offer an inferior product at more cost when it is inferior...

Look at my Samsung 2400 RAM for example...strong performer with faster Latency than stock
2667 RAM...

btw...uploaded a revised chart...see above.

 

Dellienware's customers should be happy, Dell machines only support 2 ram slots. Just imagine what the price would be with bigger 16GB DDR4 2667 sticks and you should have 4 of them. In addition, you get pure trash in return.

 

Yea it is a bit of a slap in the face to charge, let alone even sell that to consumers while making them think that it's much more superior.-> Along the lines of Razer, "Power Desktop Replacement powered by 6700HQ." *face palm*

I'd take the Samsung 2400MHz (came stock in my 17R4 btw) over the SK Hynix 2667MHz for sure.

It's not that SK Hynix is trash...it's the darn timings...<- very sad.

You don't have to like Apple, but there is a reason why they use only SK Hynix and Samsung chips, all the while Apple being known for the quality of their products. Well it's different now with Cook, but you get what I mean...

.

 

K guys....

Got the HyperX 2400MHz @ Cas 14-14-14-39 sticks in and testing right now...

Played a few rounds of OW and ran AIDA bench for fun...

The 2667's @ Cas 15-17-17-35, are still faster, well obviously with the read/write/copy, but the lat is only 0.1ns slower than the tighter timings of the 2400.

In game CPU usage, the 2667's still use slightly less CPU as the 2400's tax the CPU a bit more...

Lots more testing to come...this is just the beginning...

Interesting, yet fun stuff to get this data....

.

 

iunlock, how do i get in touch with you bro? i have a few questions

 

IIRC the Maxwell Alienwares have XMP, not manual memory adjustment.

Option got removed on the latest bios update.

 

Or the option is remowed with Pascal It's called Progress.

 

Going to try this ram kit on a skylake aw.


Also, for users using AIDA to do ram benchmark. Make sure you use 5.9 version (latest on their website)

 

How did the test go? Was that gskill ram actually running at 3000mhz?



Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

 

Actually this is being addressed and we've requested to put the xmp back on in the future bios updates.

It's noted and the ones that need to know to make this happen have the memo... hope to see it back soon so that I can tweak the timings on my HyperX 2667's....

.

 

no, this is on a diff system

skl 1.0.14 has xmp under xtu now? dunno about kbl @Papusan

 

2666? or 2667? Mis print?

https://www.amazon.com/Kingston-Technology-2666MHz-HX426S15IB2K2-32/dp/B01NAL3TYY

 

No it's not a misprint and is the same. Most people just choose to round up to the 7, which is preferred in the naming scheme.

 

DELL!! Think Higher number will sell better.

 

His image shows the Hyper X is that what comes with those options?

 

You talk about a ODM!!! You never know what you get. Same as the ssd boiling lottery!!

 

Im debating between the 15r3 and the 17 r4 I have a and extra 1tb 960 pro I am not using so should be all set. Just need to convince myself which to get.

 

So would these be the best bet now a days?
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...4_2666_32gb_sodimm-_-9SIA98C5R74615-_-Product

or are the CL14 2400mhz ones still better?

 

hi there, just got my alienware not too long ago, i was gonna go with the kingston ram, but due to stock issues decided to get this, not sure on the latency tho, even there official site was vague, so far tho, works perfectly fine:
Ballistix Sport LT 16GB DDR4 2400 MT/s (PC4-19200) DR x8 SODIMM 260-Pin - BLS16G4S240FSD,

 

errrm ...
@iunlock @Mobius 1 @Papusan


3000Mhz boots, but isnt perfectly stable.. yet..

 

Will 2800mhz ram work in our system?

Looking at a 32GB kit of Apacer RAM. Specs don't look amazing, but it could be a steal for 32GB.

 

I'll half answer your question... I just received my AW 17 R4 and installed 32GB of 2800Mhz GSkill RAM and the computer works fine and reads 32GB.

Now for the other half I came here to ask about... the BIOS seems locked to 2400Mhz on the RAM, is there any way to increase this to use the full 2800Mhz?

(edit, I have the GTX 1080 with Intel 7820HK and BIOS v1.1.9 if that helps anything)

Thanks all.

 

I went ahead and just got 32GB of the Kinston HyperX @ 2400MHz. Got it at a better deal than the G.Skill.

I'm curious as to what is the preferred BIOS for our systems? I've got the 7820HK + 1080 on the latest BIOS. I just upgraded recently and have noticed my CPU temps have increased slightly.

 

Mobius whats your notebook (used in this benchmark) ?

 

Clevo P870KM1 Only a few Clevo and the Msi F5 (MSI 16L13) barboones use LGA

 

The only laptops worth spending money on, though you have to do a lot of work to make them run well.