XPS 8960 review

This  review says there are only 2 RAM slots, I have not opened my 8950 but pretty sure it comes with 4

@Joe Shades - You can't compare the two systems like that.

XPS 8950 has four RAM slots with max total RAM of 128 GB.

XPS 8960 has two RAM slots with max total RAM of 64 GB.

Why is the 8960 a downgrade?

These are consumer-class computer. You really should not be running more than 32gb of memory in them anyway.

For (best) Dual-Channel memory operation, populate the slots with exactly matching pairs of 100% compatible memory DIMMs.

@Joe Shades - How many people actually install 128 GB of RAM in the XPS 8940, anyway?

So why install 2 extra slots, plus all the circuitry and programing needed, that (likely) won't ever be used? => cost savings...

If anyone was waiting for a cheaper option, it is now available

https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/desktop-computers/sr/desktops/xps-desktops/13th-gen-intel-core?appliedRefinements=41338

Does the 8960 have PCIe slots that have FEWER lanes than the 8950 PCIe slots?

Who will ever need more than 64 MB of RAM, right? Right?!

I work in Graphic design and am looking to upgrade my Precision which currently has 64 GB. I would hope for room to expand in the future, even if it meant doubling the amount going in each slot.

I usually double my memory capacity with every system purchase. I currently have 64 GB in my Precision. I don't care if there are more slots, but I would like to be able to expand total memory in the future.

But who's ever going to need more than 64 GB of memory, right?

And this is the only thing keeping me from pressing that Checkout button right now. Had everything else I wanted. Argh!

Specs manual lists max supported at 64 GB, but a chipset update in the future could likely change that. I'm primarily concerned about future graphic editing viability. My current system is 7 years old and at 64 GB. If I keep a new one that long, I would hope my memory wouldn't be maxed at purchase.

So, double checking the i9-13900K supports up to 128 GB of RAM. I'm not certain why Dell has the system limited to 64 GB per it's specifications? The question becomes is it BIOS limited to 64 GB and will that change in the future?

Anyone with any info? I would greatly appreciate it, as this system ticks all the other boxes for me and would save me 3K over another Precision system.

8960 motherboard has only two dimm compared to 4 dimm in 8950.  afaik Dell oem ram max is 32gb per stick (there are exceptions but this is the current known max for high speed ddr5 oem ram).  Dell has validated up to 64 (2x32) only.  There is a possibility that user can exceed dell spec limit by using non oem 64 gb stick to achieve 128, but that is by trial and error.  It is also possible bios simply does not support 2x64.  I don’t think even Dell knows.  They test their oem memory.

Although the memory slots were reduced to 2, the XPS 8960 could achieve RAM speed 4800 MT/s and stabilized across all memory configurations.

• 8 GB, 1 x 8 GB, DDR5, 4800 MT/s
• 16 GB, 1 x 16 GB, DDR5, 4800 MT/s
• 16 GB, 2 x 8 GB, DDR5, 4800 MT/s, dual-channel
• 32 GB, 1 x 32 GB, DDR5, 4800 MT/s
• 32 GB, 2 x 16 GB, DDR5, 4800 MT/s, dual-channel
• 64 GB, 2 x 32 GB, DDR5, 4800 MT/s, dual-channel

As I understand, DDR5 Ram performs at its best in a two module (dual channel) configuration. Populating four slots with DDR5 Ram may lead to instability. This may be why Dell drops the DDR5 RAM frequency on four DIMMS in the XPS 8950. There are more knowledgeable contributors to this forum that can explain this in more detail.

Hope this helps

I think the 8960 PCIe slots all have at least 4 lanes, but with the only graphics sold with the unit I don't think any are physically accessible.   #waste