If you want guaranteed compatibility and do not want to buy direct from Dell/Alienware, go to Crucial. Crucial is the retail arm of Micron, and Micron is one of the few companies that actually make DRAM. This means that you are getting it straight from the source, rather than a re-packaged product which is what many other companies sell. You can see the guaranteed parts for the Alienware 17 R4 (2016) here: http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/compatible-upgrade-for/Alienware/alienware-17-r4
Please note that Crucial recommends no more than 16GB per slot. As does Dell Support for Alienware 17 R4.
Please share what is wrong with the RAM socket that apparently does not work. Is there, dust/debris, physical damage, hardware driver problem, etc. Do both cards work in the RAM socket that works ? Does inserting one RAM card, Restart (not Shut Down), insert other RAM card, get both RAM cards to work. Does Windows say that both RAM cards are detected? Does F2 BIOS say that both RAM cards are detected and working. Does F12, Diagnostics, ePSA test result say either RAM pass or fail? Please provide a clue why one RAM socket does not apparently work. Thank you.
It is my understanding that the specs for the 17r4 indicate 64 GB of RAM as the max. If there's somewhere on the Dell website indicating that 17 off for is limited to 32 GB or using only one ram slot or something to that effect I haven't been able to find it I will look further on the crucial website to see whether or not there's more specific information from the ram supplier but this seems like a rather significant issue. The 17R4 appears to have some motherboard issue at the power input. I'm certainly becoming more disappointed with my aftermarket refurbished 17r4 purchase. I'm just a Giza who wanted a regular non-chiclet keyboard. I probably should have also considered how heavy the thing is but I can manage that. I tried installing two 16 GB ram sodims as an upgrade from a single 8 GB... Buy a sees the 32GB ram when I haven't been able to get my Windows 10 to boot just gets a black screen. Perhaps I need to fiddle with some settings in the bios setup screens but time is money and I'd like to put my tinkering days behind me.
Hi @OldTimerGrumpy welcome to this free user to user Alienware laptop discussion forum.
Where does it say that the Alienware 17 R4 laptop will accept 64GB of DDR4 cards? Dell documentation says DDR4 Memory up to 32GB and the Crucial database also says DDR4 Memory up to 32GB by using 32GB Kit (2 x 16GB) of DDR4 cards. The Crucial database is updated regularly with the result of their physical testing. You can contact Crucial technical support who will say what they have tested and confirm list of guaranteed compatible parts for your system.
The two RAM slots should work, installing one of the original DDR4 cards in RAM slot one should confirm it functions. Power off, and then move the original DDR4 card to RAM slot two should confirm it functions. Having confirmed that both RAM slots work, the new 2 x 32GB DDR4 cards can then undertake similar one card testing. If the 2 x 32GB DDR4 cards do not work, your physical testing confirms that 17 R4 is limited to a maximum of 32GB DDR4 cards.
Please provide more information about the 17 R4 motherboard issue at the power input. When ac adapter plugged into mains supply, does the dc power cord's LED diagnostic work? When dc power cord plugged into laptop dc port, does the LED diagnostic remain on? If LED diagnostic only works intermittently, the dc power cord's plug and/or laptop's dc power port may have become a loose fit due to normal wear or damage. Physical inspection inside dc plug and port using a bright light, should reveal if there is any damage that intermittently interrupts electrical connection.
I've done my research and found that 32Gb is the Max per slot but it has to be compatible with all requirements to the 17 R4 including manufacturer and capacity as well as clockspeed.
Hi friend Can you share your research results? I'm hoping to do an upgrade for my computer and if it can be upgraded to two 32G RAM that would be a surprise to me
I got distracted from this upgrade project and settled with 16gb in the one working slot. I don't have an update but wanted to thank the tech experts who replied and tried to help. I have a habit over doing diy/holding on to old computers. So, I am going to resist any more fiddling. I did not inspect LED diagnostics. I only know I bought to 16gb modules and both work in one slot. When I add the module to the suspect slot, the R4 doesn't boot. I don't think this reflects on alienware... Motherboard/slot issues can happen and with the one slot at 16gb the computer works very well. Thanks again.
crimsom
7 Technologist
•
6.1K Posts
0
May 5th, 2021 10:00
If you want guaranteed compatibility and do not want to buy direct from Dell/Alienware, go to Crucial. Crucial is the retail arm of Micron, and Micron is one of the few companies that actually make DRAM. This means that you are getting it straight from the source, rather than a re-packaged product which is what many other companies sell. You can see the guaranteed parts for the Alienware 17 R4 (2016) here: http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/compatible-upgrade-for/Alienware/alienware-17-r4
Please note that Crucial recommends no more than 16GB per slot. As does Dell Support for Alienware 17 R4.
crimsom
7 Technologist
•
6.1K Posts
0
May 5th, 2021 13:00
Please share what is wrong with the RAM socket that apparently does not work. Is there, dust/debris, physical damage, hardware driver problem, etc. Do both cards work in the RAM socket that works ? Does inserting one RAM card, Restart (not Shut Down), insert other RAM card, get both RAM cards to work. Does Windows say that both RAM cards are detected? Does F2 BIOS say that both RAM cards are detected and working. Does F12, Diagnostics, ePSA test result say either RAM pass or fail? Please provide a clue why one RAM socket does not apparently work. Thank you.
OldTimerGrumpy
4 Posts
1
September 6th, 2022 19:00
It is my understanding that the specs for the 17r4 indicate 64 GB of RAM as the max. If there's somewhere on the Dell website indicating that 17 off for is limited to 32 GB or using only one ram slot or something to that effect I haven't been able to find it I will look further on the crucial website to see whether or not there's more specific information from the ram supplier but this seems like a rather significant issue. The 17R4 appears to have some motherboard issue at the power input. I'm certainly becoming more disappointed with my aftermarket refurbished 17r4 purchase. I'm just a Giza who wanted a regular non-chiclet keyboard. I probably should have also considered how heavy the thing is but I can manage that. I tried installing two 16 GB ram sodims as an upgrade from a single 8 GB... Buy a sees the 32GB ram when I haven't been able to get my Windows 10 to boot just gets a black screen. Perhaps I need to fiddle with some settings in the bios setup screens but time is money and I'd like to put my tinkering days behind me.
crimsom
7 Technologist
•
6.1K Posts
0
September 7th, 2022 04:00
Hi @OldTimerGrumpy welcome to this free user to user Alienware laptop discussion forum.
Where does it say that the Alienware 17 R4 laptop will accept 64GB of DDR4 cards? Dell documentation says DDR4 Memory up to 32GB and the Crucial database also says DDR4 Memory up to 32GB by using 32GB Kit (2 x 16GB) of DDR4 cards. The Crucial database is updated regularly with the result of their physical testing. You can contact Crucial technical support who will say what they have tested and confirm list of guaranteed compatible parts for your system.
The two RAM slots should work, installing one of the original DDR4 cards in RAM slot one should confirm it functions. Power off, and then move the original DDR4 card to RAM slot two should confirm it functions. Having confirmed that both RAM slots work, the new 2 x 32GB DDR4 cards can then undertake similar one card testing. If the 2 x 32GB DDR4 cards do not work, your physical testing confirms that 17 R4 is limited to a maximum of 32GB DDR4 cards.
Please provide more information about the 17 R4 motherboard issue at the power input. When ac adapter plugged into mains supply, does the dc power cord's LED diagnostic work? When dc power cord plugged into laptop dc port, does the LED diagnostic remain on? If LED diagnostic only works intermittently, the dc power cord's plug and/or laptop's dc power port may have become a loose fit due to normal wear or damage. Physical inspection inside dc plug and port using a bright light, should reveal if there is any damage that intermittently interrupts electrical connection.
crimsom
7 Technologist
•
6.1K Posts
0
September 7th, 2022 05:00
Hi @OldTimerGrumpy please share the new RAM card specification. Thank you.
A51-06
5 Practitioner
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3.1K Posts
0
September 7th, 2022 05:00
Hi @Vespinehades @OldTimerGrumpy ,
I've done my research and found that 32Gb is the Max per slot but it has to be compatible with all requirements to the 17 R4 including manufacturer and capacity as well as clockspeed.
MSS_lol
1 Rookie
•
2 Posts
0
February 9th, 2023 18:00
Hi friend
Can you share your research results?
I'm hoping to do an upgrade for my computer and if it can be upgraded to two 32G RAM that would be a surprise to me
OldTimerGrumpy
4 Posts
0
July 29th, 2023 19:00
I got distracted from this upgrade project and settled with 16gb in the one working slot. I don't have an update but wanted to thank the tech experts who replied and tried to help. I have a habit over doing diy/holding on to old computers. So, I am going to resist any more fiddling. I did not inspect LED diagnostics. I only know I bought to 16gb modules and both work in one slot. When I add the module to the suspect slot, the R4 doesn't boot. I don't think this reflects on alienware... Motherboard/slot issues can happen and with the one slot at 16gb the computer works very well. Thanks again.