Laptop Memory upgrade

New World Order · 28 Feb 2012 at 21:19

Hi,

Im looking to upgrade my xps 17s ram, at the minute I have one 4gb stick can I just purchase another stick or do I need to purchase a set of two?

Thanks

cmndr_andi · 28 Feb 2012 at 21:44

Hi there,

If the laptop has two memory slots available and only one is filled - then you are best off buying a second stick of compatible RAM and use it in the empty slot. This will not only double your memory capacity, but it will also allow you to run the memory in dual channel mode - which offers much more memory bandwidth.

If you can download CPU-Z and look in the Memory and SPD tabs you should be able to find out exactly what memory you are currently running and at what speed.

CinderzFTW · 2 Mar 2012 at 20:25

try the crucial memory scan.

this will tell you the exact memory you need to go in your system i.e. your laptop

great little tool... but don't buy from them... little expensive... get it from OcUK ofc

EggCustard · 4 Mar 2012 at 20:04

If I remember correctly your laptop uses a 1st generation i5 or i7 mobile chip.

Find out what spec of DDR3 it supports via these two links:

Memory supported by Intel i5 Mobile processor laptops

Memory supported by Intel i7 Mobile processor laptops

As for keeping one SODIMM and adding another. Generally yes though make sure the new one is of the same spec as otherwise your system's memory will downgrade to the speed of the lesser SODIMM. If you currently have a PC3-10600 SODIMM then don't go installing a PC3-8500 one and so forth.

Also, do not go installing a further 2GB if you want to keep dual channel mode enabled on all your RAM. For this you need to go in doubles so if you have 4GB now you'll need 8GB.