XPS8700 Memory upgrade with Kingston Memory

Thank you for your message.

Yes, this memory is compatible with the system. This system model has 4 memory slots & supports a maximum up to 32 GB @ 1600 MHz DDR3/DDR3L (1.5 V).

However, if you use memory stick of two different speeds, the memory will be down- clocked to the lowest speed.

We would recommend you to look for a memory which has a speed of 1600 MHz for better performance.

The memory you listed will work, but it is slower speed than what the system came with.

The part you spec'd is 1333 Mhz memory.

The system came with DDR3 1600 Mhz memory.

I would get memory that matches the speed and timings ( latency ) of the OEM memory which is DDR3 1600 Mhz CL11.   ther memory may work and run at 1600 Mhz, or it may downclock to 1333Mhz if the BIOS doesn't sync with the memory well during boot.

some examples here: www.crucial.com/.../xps-8700

Would the Kingston KCP316NS8/4 be a better choice or maybe Crucial CT4403542?

If you don't already have the memory, then I'll start with what amount are you wanting to get to, and what do you have already?

If you have 8GB, you have two 4GB DIMMs. If you want to get to 16GB you can add two more 4GB sticks. If you want to get to 24GB, you can add two more 8GB sticks.  If you want to get to 32GB you will need to remove the current memory and replace it with four 8GB sticks.

Crucial memory, listed on their compatibility page is more or less guaranteed to work and if it doesn't they will take it back.

Their prices are slightly higher, so you are paying a little bit of a premium to get the exact memory that will work.

One final note... If you have windoze 7 home edition, it is software limited to 16 GB of RAM so adding more will be seen by the hardware, but is not able to be used.

And, most of the memory coming out is DDR3L vs DDR3.  The newer memory will run at lower voltage ( 1.35V) but it runs just fine at 1.5V which is the voltage of the memory controller on the xps 8700.