XPS 8930, RAM upgrade advice

First, you need to check if your 16GB is 2x8GB. The quickest way to check is in Task Manager, Performance tab, then select Memory and at the bottom right see what it says under "Slots used". You could also check by installing a program like CPU-Z or HWINFO64.

The Corsair memory you link to will not work at the speed you want. Note that the SPD of that memory is 2133 MHz. The XPS 8930 uses the SPD (Serial Presence Detect) to set the memory speed and does not use the XMP (Extreme Memory Profile).

I recommend you try Crucial.com. Their memory is guaranteed compatible if you use their memory selection tool.

@Anonymous  The OP @joshdanewb may be reluctant to use that configuration because it is not one of the configurations in Dell's memory configuration matrix. I can tell you that in my XPS 8910 the 2x16GB configuration works. Others in this forum have got other configurations to work including a 48GB configuration. The reason I asked the OP to check his configuration is that my XPS came with 16GB in a single DIMM (a configuration also not in the matrix).

When installing memory, install the DIMMs in slots with similar colored securing tabs (both white or both black). Also note that the NOTE, above the memory configuration matrix, is wrong; you should use slots DIMM1 and DIMM2 (white securing tabs). Also wrong is the column heading in the matrix, DIMM2 and DIMM3 should be swapped. Look at the picture on page 12 of the service manual to see how the slots are numbered and the color of the securing tabs.

Thank you Vic and Dell.

And thanks for pointing out that the linked RAM is only SPD 2133Mhz (a bit confusing initially since it's listed as 3000Mhz.

a 48GB configuration would be great (I'm assuming that is a 16x2 and 8x2).

Was thinking I would order the RAM prior to my XPS 8930 arriving on Tuesday. But now you've convinced me to wait and be sure of how the RAM is shipped.

Also. To determine the motherboard for use on Corsair's site, will I need to wait to open it up? Couldn't find the documentation for the motherboard being used in the XPS Tower 8930.

@joshdanewbI don't think knowing the motherboard will help. If you notice when Dell is selected as the Manufacturer you can only select from four motherboards and that can't be right with all the Dell models that are available. Their tool is just not very good, also notice that some major manufacturers like Acer, Apple and Lenovo are missing..

@AnonymousI completely agree with you about 2x16GB, but my only experience was with the XPS 8910 hence my caution about the configuration. Also, while I am pretty sure the configuration will work, a lot still depends upon picking the correct memory modules.

I am mainly concerned with what configuration the OP has. If he only has one 16GB memory module, in my view the best possible situation, he would only have to purchase another 16GB memory module.

@ChuckJPFirst, I think there is a typo in your post, I think you mean 2133 instead of 1333. If you look here: https://www.corsair.com/us/en/Categories/Products/Memory/vengeance-lpx-black/p/CMK32GX4M2A2666C16#tab-tech-specs you will see that your SPD is 2133MHz. The Dell BIOS does not use the XMP. You new memory has a lower SPD than you old memory so the speed is set to the lower speed. The only way you can get it to run at 2666MHz is in a system that can use XMP. If you can, I would return your new memory, and purchase memory that has an actual SPD of 2666MHz. Lots of memory will say PC4-21300 (2666MHz) but you will have a hard time finding the SPD. I would try Crucial.com, they do not spec the SPD but if they say the memory will work in your system it is likely it will have a SPD of 2666MHz.

I totally appreciate your response, and knowledge.  It looks like I need https://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php/781377-Kingston-HyperX-Fury-2x8GB-DDR4-2666-CL16-HX426C16FB2K2-16, available for only a few bucks more.  The review states that the HyperX Fury will run at 2666.  Thanks again for your replies.