XPS 8950, another question about adding Crucial ram

It may work though 24GB is not one of the listed compatible totals on the 8950 support page. Besides with 24 GB you will only have dual channel running on 8 GB of the 16GB RAM module. The better solution would indeed be to get another 16GB module for 32GB of RAM total.

Thanks.  I don't have the computer yet so I won't know if it works.  If it doesn't work, I'll probably get another 16 GB from Crucial.

@Bruce Kurtz If you don't need 32 GB of memory, you can run 1 x 16 GB which is an allowed configuration by removing the 1 x 8 GB and installing the 1 x 16 GB. Both 1 x 8 GB and 1 x 16 GB configurations will run in single-channel mode. 

Thanks, so you are saying that a 1X8 GB & 1X16GB will run in single mode and give me 24 GB or ram?

Based on previous posts:

No to your 1st question, Yes to your 2nd question.

But maybe you will be extremely lucky. It does not hurt to  try out anyway.

So you are referring to my orignal post:  "Will this work and give me 24 GB or ram?" Your answer: no.

"Or should I ditch the  8 GB ram that came with the computer and buy another 16 GB of ram to get 32 GB of ram?" Your answer: yes.  I'm looking at all possibilites.  1X8 GB & 2X16GB = 40 GB of ram.  Is that possible or should I just forget the 8 GB of ram. 

Do you know if I can contact Dell and pay extra to increase the 8GB to 16 GB.  I would then have 2X16GB.

Unfortunately, no. Once an order has entered the "build" stage, it cannot be changed. You would have to try to contact a Customer Care agent via a private message and cancel the order. Then start all over and order again.

I think I'm just going to go with plan B.  Buy another 16GB of ram making it 32 GB.  And then slapped back in the 8 GB ram and see if it works. If not no big deal.

@Bruce Kurtz Not both 1x8 GB and 1x16 GB together but separately installed. If you were to try them together, I am not sure what slots you should put them in. My guess would be one module in DIMM1 (white securing clip, second slot from the CPU) and one module in DIMM3 (black securing clip, closest slot to the CPU).

Ok, just bought another  16 GB stick from Crucial.  So I will have 2X16 GB.  I've been trying to do my homework so I down loaded the 8950 service manual.  In the manual it says:  

"NOTE: To achieve dual-channel support when installing two memory modules of the same capacity, install the memory modules in DIMM 1 and 2 or DIMM 3 and 4."

So I should stick the 2 sticks of 16 GB ram in slots 1 &2 or 3&4.  Right?

@Bruce Kurtz You should use DIMM1 and DIMM2 (slots with white securing clips) first.

Yes, I found that in the installation manual too.  They will be going in DIMM1 & Dimm2 like you said.  The extra 8GB stick I'll put into DIMM3 , to see if it works.