M14x's RAM Limitation?

I was always want to ask this question, and here I am

Before I even place an order on the M14x, this question already come in my mind which is: Is 8GB is the maximum limit for M14x's RAM can go? I mean what if I put in 2x8GB RAM into the laptop, what will happen?

And another question is I saw macaddict84's specification at the RAM, he able to put in a 1866Mhz inside, question is how is it possible? Because I remember read some random article somewhere said that the 1600Mhz is the current Laptop's highest speed especially for M14x.

Anyone can explain this to me? Because I thinking of upgrade the RAM from 6GB to 16GB (2x8GB) after I got the M14x.

 

1600 is not the maximum speed for the ram, users who bought 1866mhz ram for the M14x can use the ram with the correct frequency. For the 8GBx2 I think your system will just use and show 8GB not more. I don't understand why do you want to put 16GB on your laptop since you'll probably never use all your 6GB, if you really want to have a lot of RAM buy 2x4GB but 16GB is totaly useless.

 

The reason behind the 16GB is I want to install XP Mode and Linux using VMware, that the requirement of it is minimum of 4GB on each OS. That why I want to know if I can have up to 16GB.

And thanks for the info on the speed of RAM.

 

You want to run Windows 7 + Windows XP + Linux at the same time? :/

On the proc spec it says that the proc support 16GB but I don't know if the MB support it too :/
Intel® Core? i7-2720QM Processor (6M Cache, 2.20 GHz)with SPEC Code(s)SR00W, SR014
EDIT: Sorry for the double post forgot to edit my last post :/
EDIT2: I checked for the 2630 and it only support 8GB, maybe thats why on the manual it says that the M14x only support 8GB.
EDIT3: Here is the manual http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/M14x/en/mm/MM_en.pdf look at the page 102

 

No, I didnt mean to run it all at the same time, because I still have some older game/programs that I still love to play/use which for some unknown reason, wont run on Win 7 at all, so I would need XP Mode for it, and would do some servers stuff on Linux, so yeah sometime I might run two of them at the same time but will only one at the same time.

Just read the 2720QM link, it sad it do support up to 16GB, so I guess it might work.

 

Yes, but why don't you install the three OS and make a multiboot? it's cheaper and works better ;q

 

Well, I really want to but because I have some experience (TBH twice) which is a F41L experience that I have with the multiboot, that have forced me to reinstall the windows again and again and again, which make me afraid of making the same mistake again.

Plus XP Mode is available free for Windows Genuine users, and I also got a product key from my uni for the VMware student edition, so it didnt cost me anything though.

 

Running them all concurrently is not a great solution either lol.

 

Well, when i simulate different networks and different OS for security testing, virtualization is required and let me assure you i can use the full 8gb of ram. but using 4gb straight for a VM is quite useless. Just use 2gb per VM and you will be okay.

 

XP's RAM minimum isn't 4gb, it's much much less..512mb if I remember correctly. I have run two XP instances on a virtual machine at the same time, giving each box 2gb, and still had RAM left over (with 8gb) - and this was on my M11X as well as M14X..it's a breeze for these systems

EDIT: For those who are curious, I was running one VM with my work image (XP Pro) and one with an SP3 image for using XP compatible programs (don't remember which).

 

XP is 64MB, iirc. Unless of one of the service packs upped it to something else. Though lower than 512MB could result in a "click and wait," routine that I swore I ditched after Win2k

 

definitely!! xD

still, much less than 4gb

 

Okay, So back to topic, can I use up to 16GB? Since Tsukurimashou mention that the stock manual said it can only go up to 8GB. But mine isnt 2630QM, 2720QM can go up to 16GB. I wonder if the M14x's motherboard can support it.

And after read takeabytes and madmantm's posts, I decide not to upgrade to the 16GB for now.

Oh one more thing, since that 6GB is a dual channel of 1x4GB + 1x2GB, If I want to go for 8GB can I put pop in a 8GB straight? And what is the performance different between a dual channel 8GB and a single channel 8GB?

 

you guys are forgetting that not only the cpu must support it (since the memory controller is in there, and that given the 2630qm is basically a lower binned 2720qm, it stands to reason that it will support 1600mhz ram), but also the motherboard.

you can try to get 2x 8gb sticks, however those are not only hard to find, but kind of overpriced as it gets, the last time I found one stick of 8gb it was 400 bucks, so to get 2x 800 bucks

what you can do is to try to get the ram and install it yourself, you will rarely find any kind of confirmation in here.

 

Yeah, and about the motherboard, I'm not sure if it will support up to 16GB.

And because of the virtual Windows stuff, that why I get the Pro version instead of normal Home Premium, want to get the Ultimate but too expensive.

 

then i can pop some of these in M14x and it sould work Newegg.com - Computer Hardware, Memory, Laptop Memory, 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM, 8GB
right ?

my M14x is going to come with 2630QM CPU

 

Maybe. That's all anyone can offer in case of bios issues.

 

16gb ram, now is an option!!!:

The Dell Online Store: Build Your System

check the memory options

 

i am so happy
thanks

my autocads aund adobe premier would be gratfull

 

I plan on buying the 4gb stock memory through dell and upgrading 16gb. Can your recommend me which memory to buy for 16gb?

 

Newegg.ca - CORSAIR Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8G) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Laptop Memory Model CMSX16GX3M2A1600C10 i bought these and they work perfectly.

 

K. I have a M14x with the Intel i7 2630QM processer. I was just wondering how much RAM I would be able to put into it (Preferably as much as I can), because I am finding that 6 GB of RAM doesn't seem to cut it when trying to run a mc server with 12 people on it without lag. Also, is the 2630QM a unlocked processer, or is it locked like a lot of its i5 friends? I have some video intensive things I'm running, and I'm currently debating whether its better to just get a new processer or to overclock it.

Thanks

Edit-Never mind. Found what i was looking for on the second page =P

 

According to Intel website about the Intel Core i7 2630QM, the maximum RAM is 16GB, so it will be 2x8GB on the M14x since there are only 2 slots available, as for the CPU, it is a locked version, all of the QM series are locked, while the only unlocked version is the XM series (Extreme Edition), and it is not worth it if you feeling of upgrade to those XM series, because of 2 reason: 1) Price, 2) Current heating issue on the M14x.

 

Thanks CGSDR. As for the processer, are there any others other than the 2720QM that are better than the 2630QM, that are compatible with the M14x's motherboard, and are probable to not overheat when installed on a M14x?

 

If you didnt know, the M14x's motherboard compatible with any Sandy Bridge CPU, i.e from 2630QM up to 2960XM (Extreme Edition - Overclock-able). But if you still looking to get the Extreme Edition and want to know how to, then there is already a guy who already got the XM CPU on his M14x, follow this link: m14x CPU Overclocking with i7 Extreme 2960XM

 

You'd have to partition your hard drive in order to use multiple OS's. A third party tool would also be required or maybe recommended to make it easy to choose the OS

 

K. Thanks. I would get the xtreme series processer, but considering the one I have makes the fan go nuts when Em just running Minecraft, I think I'll stay away from it.

 

From that intel link my m14x with 2760QM is capable of having 32gb of ram. Currently I've got 6gb and this seems fine but if I increased this to say 8gb or 16gb would this improve gaming in any way at all?

 

RAM does not improve framerate, it is the work of the GPU or CPU, depending on the game, some game is CPU dependable (i.e Minecraft), some will be GPU dependable (i.e Battlefield 3), and RAM the higher the RAM would just give you more resource say in BF3 if you use the Ultra setting for the texture, then with 8GB you wont be getting any stuttering or visual lag, but with 6GB you wont get constant stuttering.

In short, more RAM mean more resource for your computer to use, good for program that require a large processing space like Games and video processing - Adobe etc...

 

I cant believe this thread is still around. I've been meaning to install another 8GB DDR3 stick, and yes, I do use it all.

Many of the questions around multiple OS's are for Virtual Machines. As a systems admin, my M14x is almost exclusively used for this, and 8GB ram just isn't enough. I cant even remember the last time my nVidia card got used (but I like to have it as an option)

I've just been waiting to see if it will light on fire when I upgrade, haha

 

Huh. looks like I'm going to have to upgrade the processer to one better than the one I currently have. I've been having trouble getting Minecraft to run well, currently the highest I can have the video settings at without causing lag and with the FPS at Max (I try to record LP's) is Short render, Fast Graphics, View Bob off, Partials minimal, and Clouds off. (Those settings don't make for good LP videos... =/ ).

 

And confirmed as well. I put in a full kit of 2x8GB DDR1333 from MemoryExpress for 112 bucks. She runs like a champ, no issues seeing the ram, and my applications are thrilled

Fun tip of the day - if you have an SSD and 16GB ram, move the Swap File in windows to the 2nd hard drive (spinning disc) Windows tries to allocate a full 16GB for swap space

 

Haha. Never mind about my previous post. I changed my Java to 64-bit. Now its able to run at the highest video settings without lag spikes or anything. I finally was able to record a video without it lagging all the time. Now I just have to deal with the huge lag spike problems that keep screwing up my recordings.