XPS 8930, RAM upgrade Corsair Vengeance

If you install only the two Corsair memory modules in DIMM1 & DIMM2 the memory will run in dual channel mode. If yoo install all three modules the memory will run in single channel mode. There is a slight performance improvement in dual channel mode over single channel mode, but having 24 GB vs 16 GB is also an improvement.

There is also another issue. Depending on the exact model of the Corsair memory, your memory may not operate at 2666 MHz. While you may have 3200 MHz Corsair memory, the SPD (Serial Presence Detect) speed of that memory may only be 2133 MHz. The Dell BIOS uses the SPD of the memory, it is not capable of using the XMP (eXtreme Memory Profile) to set memory speed.

Thanks for the reply. Would it best to buy another 8gig from Dell and have 32gig altogether or another 16 from corsair and have it all matching? Not sure I'd need that. And am I able to increase the speed in the BIOS? 

Thanks

Rob

You will not be able to increase the speed in the BIOS and that is why it is important to check to full specs of the Corsair RAM looking at the SPD. You need the model number of the Corsair RAM to look up the specs. I would try to match the 8 GB from Dell so that the memory would operate in dual channel mode. You could purchase RAM from crucial.com to match the Dell RAM. Dell would probably charge you alot more. 

Yeah, twice as much at Dell. I think I'll just use the Corsair I've bought and maybe match the Dell at a later date, should i find it too slow. 

Thanks for your help. 

there is no conflicting  advice, unless you  ,only read forums with wild answers and wilder consensus as fact.?

learn this, the internet is 1/2 true and 1/2 false.  (this disinformation age really) ( compared to real books)

google is the sky blue?

what matters  are facts and logic. not rumors, but will cover that last.

Ram rules,  there are many. but I will keep this short,  not bore you with pin counts correct on DDR4.

• The CPU runs the ram that means the CPU, ICM/MMC memory logic wins all bets first, hard cold logic and intel.com  , data sheet on your CPU told you,  it must be a matched set, of the correct RAM.  (clear?) TRUTH. (but with the correct RANK and density too)
• Next is BIOS, if your BIOS does not understand that new RAM it can fail, upgrade BIOS first.
• and last the limits Dell puts in side that MoBo called bandwidth limits .
• the dell manual on your PC tells you what to do, with those DDR4 quad slots, see that yet?
• learn now that DELL does not do QVL lists on DDR4  for this PC,  and most OEM now ended that practice.
• Pairs work faster with dual channel A and B active, wiki how DDR works.. (who does this wrong, IDK?)
• Then at boot BIOS scans SPD PnP on each stick and then sets speed to the slowest stick , NOT YOU < IT DOES. The SPD is SPEC data on 1 stick. (why try to confuse BIOS or Intel ICM)? rhetorical.
• DDR4 2666 works. each stick has plug and play ID chip called SPD, you can scan that with endless apps.
• even CPUID from Intel.com run that if you can't read labels on the sticks.

It is true that mixing RAM SKU (makers and P/N) can work;this is  toss coin effect.  all real techs know this and seen it vast time, I have countless. but LUCK HAPPENS, (for minor mismatches only)

The datasheet is clear on all this, and RAM is not simple, it is buying certified ram , so they do the hard work for you. doing that.

DDR4

• Up to 2400 MHz: i3 processor
• Up to 2666 MHz: i5/i7/i7k processors
• 4 GB, 8 GB, and 16 GB (per mem slot0
• total 8 GB, 16 GB, 24 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB 

best is matched sets did i repeat my self and intel.com again., even better unless returns are fun, is buy them

as CERTIFIED matched sets.  Corsair or Kingston. are to majors,

if you need the intel words posted ask. its free  to read at any time, intel.com

now a joke (jaws1) funny and very timely. (come on in, the waters fine)

Thanks for the lesson about the internet - should I take it you're the 50% truth? And thanks for the detailed answer. I'll use the pair of Corsair's and if it explode's, I'll have learnt my lesson. But I think it'll be ok, 

Stay safe,

Rob

Thanks for taking time to reply. The RAM is working fine though at 2100MHz as mentioned. I used just the two Corsair sticks. 

Rob

@Rob-909  You could, if you wish, install your original RAM back in your computer. The memory will operate in single channel mode but you will have an additional 8 GB and the speed will remain at 2100 MHz.

Hi Vic. yes, you mentioned this before. How would that be beneficial? I've read it may slow down how quickly it can use the memory but obviously can hold more - is that right?

Thanks

rob

It could be beneficial if you need more than 16 GB for your applications. The impact of single channel vs dual channel depends upon the applications your are running; from benchmarks I saw the impact on WinRAR was less than 3%, impact on video games FPS was less than 1%, whereas the impact on some simulation and engineering modeling applications can be close to 20% or more. This video may be helpful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nSX2taw-Y4

hello again. So, I'm thinking I'll upgrade to 32gig. Is it ok to mix RAM? Would this one below work fine with the other stick provided by Dell?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Crucial-CT8G4DFS824A-PC4-19200-Single-288-Pin/dp/B0734V4SSR/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&fst=as%3Aoff&qid=1585906986&refinements=p_n_feature_keywords_browse-bin%3A2841372031%2Cp_n_style_browse-bin%3A11416345031&rnid=182786031&s=computers&sr=1-3&th=1

Thanks

Rob

Most would not recommend mixing RAM, but I think that it will work. You could start by just installing the stick provided by Dell as a test. Matching the Dell stick with the memory you have selected should work. Crucial.com recommends this same memory and they guarantee compatibility. https://uk.crucial.com/compatible-upgrade-for/dell/xps-8930#memory