BleepingComputer.com: The best RAM configuration for a Dell Studio XPS 435MT.

I have a Dell Studio XPS 435MT Desktop computer. It is running W7 on 64 bit with an I7-920 CPU. I am looking to upgrade the RAM from the current 6 GB it has installed.

It has 6 slots. Is the maximum capacity 12 GB or 24 GB.

It currently has 6 1GB sticks with PC3-8500 DDR3 1066MHz.

I also have tried successfully Two 2GB STicks of Kingston DDR3 1333, PC3 10600, 667 MHZ.

On Crucial it states:

DDR3 PC3-10600, DDR3 PC3-8500, DDR3 PC3-12800
Memory Type: DDR3 PC3-10600, DDR3 PC3-8500, DDR3 PC3-12800, DDR3 (non-ECC)
Maximum Memory: 24GB
Slots: 6
Each memory slot can hold DDR3 PC3-10600, DDR3 PC3-8500, DDR3 PC3-12800 with a maximum of 4GB per slot.*

Does 4GB work in one Module or is the max 2GB per slot. What RAM configuration would work best? I hope someone can give me a few answers to my questions. Thanks.

You want to upgrade from 6Gb, but how much do you want to end up with? The system can take 24Gb, from what I've seen http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3514/p/19368276/19835904.aspx#19835904 .

If you are looking for double the ram which is 12GB then this would work.

One Aussie to another: I was born in Melbourne and now living in Boston, USA.

On the crucial website it says that it can hold 4GB modules and the maximum is 24 GB.

I think it maybe up in the air whether this machine can handle 4 GB per lost and recognize a total of 24 GB.

Would Both of these RAM options work, and if so would you have a preference for this system. G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 12GB (3 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9T-12GBRL G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9S-4GBRL

Are they both compatible. Is there a chance that they won't work due to be being 4 GB and not 2 GB. Is it better for system performance to stay with the same size modules, and the same brand of RAM. Is there a noticeable difference in system performance from 6 GB-12 GB-16GB etc.. Is the RAM, CPU or Video Card the biggest factor in me needing to upgrade the stock PSU in this system? Thanks.

Well you basically won't notice the speed difference. Is there reason why you want upgrade your ram?

I may go with 12GB of RAM. Would it be best to go with 6 times 2GB of RAM or 4 times 3GB of RAM. Which one of the below configurations would work best for my system.

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 12GB (3 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9T-12GBRL

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9S-4GBRL http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231310

The dell website said to go with the same module for slot 2,4,6 and 1,3,5 - Is that important? Thanks for your advice.

If you are set on 12 gig, then a 3X 4gig mem config is the best, preferably DDR3 1600.

Now that I look at it, since it is a Dell OEM, you don't really have any overclock options or BIOS configs for memory (or do you?) If you cannot set memory speeds/dividers, then you are throwing away money on faster memory that you will never utilize.

Keep your memory in either odd or even slots. Look at the way the factory memory was installed, and use those slots. Most X58 boards start memory in the 2nd slot away from the CPU.

This post has been edited by dpunisher: 31 July 2011 - 03:02 PM

I found the below info on the DEll Studio XPS 435 Manual. How do I know if the RAM can be overclocked. I am a little hesitant to go with 4 GB per slot from what the info states below. Slot 2,4,6 are a group and 1,3,5. Does that mean I need to keep the same RAM modules in these 3 slots. DDR3 1600 doesn't look like it is supported in the info below. However, on the crucial website it states DDR3 1600 is supported as well as 4 GB each slot and a max of 24 GB. What do you think? Thanks

Memory
Connectors six internallyaccessible DDR3
DIMM sockets
Capacities 1 GB and 2 GB
Memory type 1066-MHz or
1333-MHz DDR3
DIMM; non-ECC
memory only
Minimum 2 GB
Maximum 12 GB
NOTE: For instructions on upgrading your
memory, see the Service Manual on the
Dell Support website at support.dell.com.
Computer Information
System chipset Intel X58 + ICH10
Data bus width 20 bits
DRAM bus width 192 bits

dpunisher, I think you maybe right. I don't think the Bios can be tweaked to overclock the CPU. I think the standard speed is 1066 MHZ and it doesn't have any specific settings to adjust this to meet the rams speed. I installed 6 GB of the RAM listed below.

OCZ OCZ3G1600LV6GK DDR3 PC3-12800 1600 MHz Gold XTC 6GB Triple Channel Kits

In SIW the RAM shows at PC3 8500F and speed DDR3(1066MHZ. I also went into the Bios and saw the speed as 1066MHZ. Does that mean that this is the max speed that my MOBO will support and I am wasting my time trying to buy RAM at 1333 or 1600 MHZ? I also have another machine with a Gigabyte UD3-58 MOBO, I7-920 and I was able to adjust the RAM settings in the Bios to go from 1066 MHZ to 1600 MHZ with Kingston Technology HyperX 4 GB Kit (2x2GB Modules) 1600 (PC3 12800) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM KHX1600C9AD3K2/4G.

What's this all mean?

The Dell motherboard can not use the full speed of the ram unless overclocked.

Will SIW and the Bios both say that the RAM is 1333 MHZ or am I limited to just 1066 speeds. If 1333 MHZ can't be attained then aren't I better off just getting PC3 8500F and speed DDR3(1066MHZ). How can I find this out. Thanks for your help.

Your current ram is meant to run at 1600 but it downclocks to 1066, so that means it will not run at the speed it's to run at. You could have a look at the 1066 ram.

I would like to run at 1300 MHZ Speeds if that is what the dell Manual states and if the RAM is capable. Why doesn't my OCZ OCZ3G1600LV6GK DDR3 PC3-12800 1600 MHz Gold XTC downclock to 1333 MHZ and not 1066MHZ from 1600. Thanks. Is it more important to keep the same brand modules, same RAM per slot or same speed RAM? Thanks.

I believe the motherboard can only support up to 1066. I had a look at the Dell upgrades for the desktop and it showed only 1066 ram for your desktop. Yes it is important to keep the same memory modules because it will low the chance of ram compatibility problems. I found one that is 12GB 1066 but it is out of stock and it is the only one.

This post has been edited by killerx525: 02 August 2011 - 01:40 AM

I thought that according to the Dell Manual for this model and the earlier post on the dell forums that it does support 1333MHZ. I am still a little skeptical that 4 GB per Module will work. I guess the only way to find out would be to try. What do you think?