Unsolved
This post is more than 5 years old
4 Posts
0
21319
Memory upgrade for XPS 8700 mid-2013
I am planning to upgrade my memory from 8GB to 32 GB and have some confusion about which RAM modules to buy. My choices are as below:
2 x 16GB 240 pin DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) SDRAM with CAS Latency 11 and Timing 11-11-11-28
or
2 x 16GB 240 pin DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) SDRAM with CAS Latency 9 and Timing 9-9-9-24
Both are with voltage 1.5V. I am guessing the second one with lower latency and Timing should be better performing but would like a more informed opinion.
Thanks.
DELL-Hemalatha
2.8K Posts
0
August 30th, 2015 00:00
Hi,
This machine has not been tested with a 16 GB memory chip.
You can go ahead with 4 x 8GB chips which are sure to work.
part# for 8gb RAM is 66GKY.
Hope this helps.
Regards
Dan-H
1.2K Posts
0
August 30th, 2015 09:00
I haven't seen anyone put in two 16GB sticks, so you may be the first.
With 2x8GB sitcks, some have complained "faster" RAM won't sync up at DDR3 1600, and it reverts to DDR3 1333 in the XPS 8700. Others have reported no issues and it works fine.
Dell BIOS does not expose memory speed or timings so if this happens you may be out of luck, or you may be able to use Intel XTU to adjust the timings. Intel XTU does not seem to work on all memory types. XTU works on one of my systems with the OEM memory.
Here are some notes where I tightened timings to CL7 ( 7-9-8-18 1T )
http://forums.hardware-revolution.com/showthread.php?tid=5321&page=2
CL9 vs CL11 benchmarks will be faster, and memory intensive programs will be slightly faster, and gaming might be slightly smoother but I barely notice the difference of the CL7 vs another identical system CL11. (both at 1600Mhz)
And If system is Win7 Home 64 it is limited to 16GB. Win 81 doesn't have this limit nor does Win10.
Good luck, and post the results.
TL;DR - just make sure you can return it if it doesn't work.
mntester
4 Posts
0
August 30th, 2015 11:00
I am so sorry. I meant 4 x 8GB sticks. I don't know what I was thinking. Anyway, my concern was choosing between the CAS Latency and timings of the two type I mentioned and if any of those would have issues with this particular DELL XPS 8700 model.
Thanks for the replies and once again, sorry for the mistype.
Dan-H
1.2K Posts
1
August 30th, 2015 13:00
Same advice make sure it can be returned...
Thoughts on the specific model:
1) must be 1.5V memory. the 8700 Mobo cannot overvolt memory so if the memory lists 1.6 or 1.65V it is expecting XMP settings which the 8700 board cannot provide.
2) Get DDR3 1600
Again, assuming it could be returned, I would try a 9-9-9-24 kit and if it works you are set.
Verify with CPU-Z that it is indeed running at 1600Mhz * (DRAM frequency 799.99 MHz)
I would buy a four stick Kit, even though it isn't required. two 2channel kits will also work. Here's the search I used on NewEgg. The reason is the four sticks will be binned together, and tested together so they should all have the exact timings and sub-timings.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007611%2050001455%2050008476%20600006050%20600136980%20600564621%20600006157%20600083963%20600000261%2050001459&IsNodeId=1
I think I'd try this kit: I have had great success with G.Skill memory.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231569
If the CL 9 memory doesn't work then you would be looking at two kits of 16GB (2x8GB) CL11
Here's a search query for that.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007611%2050001455%2050008476%2050001459%20600006050%20600136980%20600564621%20600083963%20600000261%20600006072&IsNodeId=1
Good luck and post what memory worked.