XPS 8930, 32GB ram (2x16) possible?

You can use just 2 of the 4 slots for up to 16gb in each but make sure to use the correct 2 matching slots which are not adjacent in your model. See your manual for which slots to use. Do not exceed the total max ram for using all 4 slots which is 64 gb. https://www.crucial.com/usa/en/compatible-upgrade-for/Dell/xps-8930

Have you checked to see how the ram is installed now? You might have 4x4 or 2x8 or if you did not order the model with 16 gb standard you could have 2 open slots already.

On the website you provided it says this is compatible with the xps 8930. I only have one slot filled with 8gb of ram and an intel i7-8700. 

Welcome to the Dell Community  @Rugged_Man 

The manual is just a guide to what Dell sold with the desktop.

It is not an indicator of the hardware's limitations.

Because of your CPU, Memory type and 4 slots you should be able to upgrade to 128GB.

https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/126686/intel-core-i7-8700-processor-12m-cache-up-to-4-60-ghz.html

It is expensive so it would be best if someone else has tried and has reported success.

The same with (2x16) configuration it may not be listed in your manual but it is very possible it can be done.

It would be nice if someone else had reported success before you try???

If you do give it a try please report back with your results.

Good luck,

U2

@Rugged_Man 

It would be nice to have learned from someone else's success or failure???

Again please post back with what you find.

Good luck,

U2

For anyone following or reading this thread in the future below is a reply from crucial stating you can use a 2x16 configuration of their ram on a XPS 8930.

Did you end up buying this memory? If so what speed does it run at? (2666 MHz?), I'd be curious to hear your results.

I'm not expert but from what I understand our BIOS does not support XMP so memory will only run at the default (SPD) speed and we have no ability to adjust even if the memory may support a higher speed.

Thanks!

I did not buy the memory yet. My computer came with 8gb of 2666 MHz memory. I think the one in the photo is 3000 MHz. I also don’t expect it to run faster than 2666 MHz. When I do purchase and install it I will post my results. 

Would 4x 8GB be less expensive than 2x 16GB but still give you 32 GB? Unless at some future date you decide you want more than 32 GB.

You would need to replace the existing 8 GB module so you have two identical pairs of 8 GB modules in order to run "dual channel" memory which is faster than "single channel" you have now with only one module installed.

Guess I'll never understand why Dell sells its top-of-the-line XPS model with only one RAM module, meaning it's only running single channel memory...???

Guys, this isn't so difficult.  Open your machine.  If you have 16GB, you should see 2 x 8GB sticks.

Just note the part numbers on the ram you have and buy two more of the same 8GB sticks to fill the other two slots to get you to 32GB total.  That's the easiest and least expensive way to get to 32GB.

I bought 2 used Micron 8GB 1RX8 PC4-2666V-UA2-11 MTA8ATF1G64AZ-2G6H1 as a pair for $80 on Ebay and they work great. 

Then later if you ever want to upgrade to 64GB, which will probably be a stretch, RAM will be much cheaper then.  Never try to future proof yourself on Ram as it's always dropping in price per unit.

Welcome to the Dell Community @mr_archer

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@Rugged_Man wrote:

I would like to know if anyone has been successful running this configuration. My reason for asking is I would prefer to use on 2 of the 4 slots to give me space for future expansion should I need it.

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If you read the OP already stated that they have 8Gb installed and would like to occupy 2 slots with 16GB each for a total of 32GB with the ability to upgrade later.

Why waste money purchasing 3 or 4 8GB sticks then in the future remove them to install 4 16GB sticks???

That's why the OP's question is about if they can use 2 16GB sticks in 2 slots now.

Best regards,

U2

@U2CAMEB4ME 

Please re-read my reply.  I never said to buy 3 or 4  8GB sticks - I said to buy 2.

Firstly 32GB is ALOT of ram, and unless someone is doing some extremely extraordinary work, 64GB is is not needed for 99.9% of the applications of today. Frankly, if someone has a need for 64GB of Ram, the 8930 is not the base rig to be starting with anyway.  I do 1080HD and 4K video editing and have never ran into an issue with headroom on my SSD equipped machine. Frankly, if he doesn't have a SSD that would be a far better performance investment anyway.

That said, RAM is always getting cheaper over time. If his needs today and for the foreseeable future is 32GB, he is much better off filling the two empty slots and saving the money now for the eventual upgrade down the road to 64GB, which no doubt will be sitting in a completely different machine when that time comes.

The strategy to dump now and go with 2 x 16GB in an effort to "future-proof" doesn't make financial sense. In the near term, that angle will end up costing $200 to $300 vs 1/3 to 1/4 of that to get to 32GB now that should cover just about any use for the perceived useful life of the 8930.  If he does end up keeping the machine for 4 or 5 years, and decides then to upgrade it, the Ram then will cost less than half what it is today.  But frankly, I'd guess then, the similar build will come standard with 32GB and we will be talking about looking at 64GB and contemplating 128GB down the road all for the same inflation adjusted cost he paid for his current machine.

Again, the key point is, with the cost of RAM always falling, it never makes sense to buy larger sticks to leave slots open to "Future Proof", unless the ultimate need is now.

That's my opinion after contemplating the same line of thinking, and what worked for me. You are entitled to your opinion.

@mr_archer 

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@Rugged_Man wrote:

I did not buy the memory yet. My computer came with 8gb of 2666 MHz memory. I think the one in the photo is 3000 MHz. I also don’t expect it to run faster than 2666 MHz. When I do purchase and install it I will post my results. 

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If it is one 8GB stick he would need to purchase 3 more 8GB sticks.

If it is two 4GB sticks he would need to purchase 4 8GB sticks.

The key point is the OP's question???

Can two slots occupy 16gb sticks for each slot???

Because the specs do not have that configuration listed.

Best regards,

U2

I stand corrected - I thought he said he currently had two sticks of 8GB.

To answer the question, the XPS 8930 Setup & Spec's Guide says the machine is 64GB capable, as I indirectly alluded to earlier - As I contemplated that upgrade myself and settled on 32GB, once I got the sticker shock.

Page 20 states 4 x 16GB

Configuration
Slot  DIMM1 DIMM2 DIMM3 DIMM4
  8 GB =  4 GB / 4 GB
16 GB =  8 GB / 8 GB
24 GB =  4 GB / 4 GB / 8 GB / 8 GB
32 GB =  8 GB / 8 GB / 8 GB / 8 GB
64 GB =16 GB / 16 GB / 16 GB / 16 GB 

What is happening with ram prices? Why did they get so expensive and why would they go back down, if they ever do ?