M18x Ram upgrade to 32G.

Looking at the build it now, I am wondering this.  You can install 16 gigs of 1600 speed or 32GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz (4DIMMS) [Add $2,000.00 or $60.00/month.  You might be limited to only 1300 speed ram at 32 gigs.  I bet you put 1600 or faster in your machine.

This is what it says it supports, "Advanced Memory Options: The Alienware™ M18x laptop comes locked and loaded with up to 32GB of DDR3 RAM3 at speeds up to 1600MHz."

Did you install the same thing?  

I think I see the problem, I think it has to be 1600 and this is what i have installed.

16GB kit (8GBx2)  X2, 32G total

DDR3 PC3-10600 • CL=9 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR3-1333 • 1.35V • 1024Meg x 64 •  

Perhaps? Thanks

This is interesting, I am planning on buying 32gb of 1600 from Crucial.

If you goto Crucials website there is a memory check tool, which tells you what your machine is capable of holding. Mine tells me the 8gb 1600mhz sticks will work just fine.

Can you check if yours says the same ?

This is what the site recommends for the M18x and since it holds up to 32 GB, I purchased two sets. This check was for a package of 2 or 1 set, (Crucial) now if you select the single instead of the 2-piece set you still only see it is rated for only 16GB. I feel kind of ripped off when they tell me before the sale that ram is "UP TO 32 GB" and then when I try the upgrade it only uses 16GB. I looked in the bios and there is nothing to enable, everything is already turned on so bios is out, then I researched the mother board and it's capable of handling it along with the 2.2, i7 w/turbo to 3.1 so I wonder why it won't use it? I tried to get an email for support but Dell doesn't offer support through email, only phone support. That is really hard to do when deployed overseas.

16GB kit (8GBx2)  

DDR3 PC3-10600 • CL=9 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR3-1333 • 1.35V • 1024Meg x 64 •   •  Part #: CT2374319

I have Dell Executive Super Duper Customer Support at the moment ensuring my machine is ok after a catesphrophic mess-up so I'll ask them in my email, they awaiting my report that I have tested the machine fully and its all ok. I am only half way through testing it since work is being 'off' with after taking 5 holiday days off over xmas and being late several times while sorting this laptop out, so I've not had a day off since xmas now to really test it.

I'll see what they say :)

That's cool man, I appreciate it. Maybe you can tell them what I have done and save yourself some cash because I know Dell sells the same ram as Crucial only with Made in Thailand sticker. Also if you think about it, ask them what you can do for your laptop to use all 32GB.

While the maximum RAM limit for 32-bit Windows 7 editions is 4GB, when it comes to the 64-bit editions, the amount of memory that the OS can address depends on which edition you are running.

Here are the upper RAM limits for the different editions of Windows 7:

• Starter: 8GB
• Home Basic: 8GB
• Home Premium: 16GB
• Professional: 192GB
• Enterprise: 192GB
• Ultimate: 192GB

so you running home premium by chance?

I've sent him the question of can my system handle 32gb Ram at 1600,hz at its reported on the forum, another user is having problems. I can't ask questions about another system unfortunately, so hopefully if the answer is Yes, then its like the windows ver as above.

The 2nd Question I asked was regarding respawn killing alienfx, more so about the full version an getting updates to the image etc, both of which should be helpful to people.

As a side note to 89ford, I have Windows 7 Ultimate, but I haven't tried it, I am going to order 2 x 8gb 1600mhz (£200/$3330) and will install that in slots 3+4, along with the stock 4gb (2 x 2gb 1333mhz) in slots 1+2, giving me 20gb, I I figure is 20gb runs, I'll order the other 16gb at a later date :)

Will report back once I get around to ordering the ram and testing it, I need to finish testing this system before  I order it, just need to verify the sli works (was a problem with last system) and that I have the Momentus XT Hybrid + a SDD, once I check them, I'll order the ram.

I removed the other cards in the back panel under the battery. The other slots are under the keyboard and really easy to install. The 16gb I installed under the keyboard are still there and I removed the ones under the battery. I put them in my Macbook Pro since the windows laptop wouldn't use them. I am currently using Home Premium and don't need the pro or whatever windows is trying to get everyone to purchase.

I am also going to sell my Alienware M18x for around $2,500 including the ram upgrade if you know anyone interested.

Thanks,

What version of Windows 7 are you using? Home Premium 64-bit will only recognise 16GB, whereas Professional 64-bit and upwards recognise up to 192GB of RAM.

Kind regards and good luck.

How do you get access to all 4 RAM slots. ON a youtube vid I could only see two under the rear panel. Are the other two on the top, under the keyboard. If so, which RAM slots did Dell use?

I've chatted with dell guy about the same issue while building my laptop,  he said that windows 7premium edition works with up to 16gig. To get 32 he suggested to get Win7 ultimate or Win8. I am not sure about the difference in those two, I guess better compatibility with newer

holy batman thread resurrection! LOL

one thing to not forget tho with ram is your video card ram is included and so is system ram.. so if you got say 32 bit OS with 4 gig ram and 1 gig video .. u only see/use  less then 3 gig ...  as an example ..  since it can only address 4 gigs TOTAL  on 32 bit:O  even tho it may show different in win 7 and 8