Hi @alex1987br, @RUBEN ESCOBAR  welcome to this user to user forum. 

Dell community users report that Dell BIOS/UEFI intentionally limits Alienware 17 R4 to use a maximum RAM of 32GB.

If 64GB installed, the system will only use 32GB. The Alienware 17 Series finished with R5. Dell has no plans to change their BIOS so that Alienware 17 Series can use 64GB.

If physical RAM insufficient, Windows 10 virtual RAM should be used, with OS (C:) ultrafast M.2 NVMe solid state drive. 

Welcome to the Dell Community @RUBEN ESCOBAR 

NO it is not supported by Dell, but it does not mean the hardware is not capable.

Unless someone has upgraded to 64GB (2x32GB) it would be up to you to try.

I have a few 17 R4's but I have no 32GB SIMM's to test.

Why not give it a try and let us know what the result was.

Best regards,

U2

Welcome to the Dell Community @crimsom 

Just wanted to know your test results with installing 64GB in a 17 R4???

I have a few R4's but no 32GB SIMM's to test.

Best regards,

U2

@RUBEN ESCOBAR 

32GB yes.

64GB yes if you want to try.

But it is just a waste of money and time.

Let us know the result.

U2

Hi @U2CAMEB4ME welcome to this user to user forum. 

Our Alienware 17 R5 has max physical RAM of 32GB and our virtual RAM is another 32GB min to 64 GB max (potential RAM of 96GB). We also have a 1TB OS(C:) ultrafast M.2 NVMe solid state drive. Our system processing performance is adequate at the moment. 

Our two DDR4 RAM slots use SODIMMs. SIMMs are a type of memory module containing random-access memory used in computers from the early 1980s to the late 1990s. 

I read on a forum, don't remember where, that an alienware owner of an R3 laptop installed the two 32gb modules and was working fine.

I'll give it a try later, if I can purchase the modules and if it does not work I'm allowed to return them. (it's an expensive gamble if i need to keep them without using them).

I need to upgrade my ram for a presentation early next week, is an architecture project and the files became too big to process the VR software, so my only option now is a couple of 16Gb 3.2ghz modules, I know that my Alienware runs up to 2667ghz memory... does the faster Ram modules work in my laptop even if they run slower than the laptops speed capacity? or they will not run at all?

thanks for your help.

best regards.

Hi @RUBEN ESCOBAR  Alienware 17 R4 Setup and Specifications (physical) Memory says RAM speeds of 2133 MHz, 2400 MHz, and 2667 MHz with Configurations of 8 GB, 16 GB, and 32 GB are supported. Check that your 3200 MHz RAM modules will run at a slower speed (most, but not all will).

Windows 10 gives you the additional option of your OS (C:) drive to use virtual RAM. 

Hi @RUBEN ESCOBAR found 17 R3, 64GB or 128GB ram upgrade?. Please be aware that if Dell recommendations are not followed, the Dell Warranty does not cover use of parts that are not recommended (either directly or indirectly). If your system stops working, its your fault. 

Welcome to the Dell Community @crimsom 

As you are a representative of Dell:

" Our Alienware 17 R5 has max physical RAM of 32GB "

Sorry but I have to try and digest you taking responsibility for Dell's policy and procedures??? 

Using " OUR" denotes you are a representative of Dell.

If not then would at least post any test results???

Best regards,

U2

Hi @RUBEN ESCOBAR  Windows 10 gives you the additional option to move your system's virtual RAM to another drive. To increase the overall system performance, or if you work with reads and writes intensive applications, then you want to reduce the number input/output (I/O) activity on the OS (C:) drive. 

The Alienware 17 R4 drive slots include SSD-1, which accommodates a half-size M.2 i.e. a M.2 2242 NVMe with speeds up to 32 Gbps, and up to 1TB capacity. (Alienware 17 Storage specification source R4 and R5.)

You have the option to install an ultrafast M.2 2242 NVMe solid state drive in SSD-1 and get Windows 10 to use all of this as your virtual RAM.  How to move the Windows 10's virtual memory file to a different drive. 

Hi @RUBEN ESCOBAR  wish all goes well with your fast RAM experiment. 

To get your optimum system performance, do not use slow SATA SSD. If your budget allows, use only ultrafast M.2 NVMe SSD. 

Please share an update. Thank you. 

thanks for your input @crimsom 

I've increased the virtual ram to 48gb so far... meanwhile my 32gb ram module arrives... (next thursday I hope)

I have a 1tb drive SSD as my C: drive, a 1 TB regular HD and the original 256GB SSD as a third drive.

I'll install the 32GB memory when it arrives, and plan to test the Laptop leaving one of the 8GB module to check if it reads more than 32GB in total... if it does, than it probably would also read the extra 32GB module and then order one similar to the one I've already purchased.   that way I did not spend in vain.

Hope this works...

best regards.

@crimsom 

yes, that type of ssd is what I have... don't remember exactly the specs... but it's the DIMM type SSD, not SATA.

The second 1TB drive I have is SATA, but not SSD, as I had it from an ASUS Laptop I previously had.

and the third one, is the original SSD that came with the laptop, which is also NVMe type...

Hi @RUBEN ESCOBAR  the M.2 SSD cards can typically be slow SATA, or PCI, or PCIe or the new fast NVMe drive. The HDD will be a slow SATA drive. Putting msinfo32 into bottom left hand search will give your System Information (System: Components > Storage > Drive or Disks). Or get Computer/Network profile by using Belarc Advisor or similar utility application.