Upgrading 3 GB to 4 GB of RAM for 64-bit W7 HP on a Dell Studio XPS8000 PC?

Hello.

Other co-workers and I would like to add more memory to our 1.5 years
old Dell Studio XPS 8000 Desktops (manufactured on 2009-11-14) that
currently have 3 GB of RAM and 64-bit Windows 7 HP.
http://search.dell.com/results.aspx?...&advsrch=False
has the memory to order.

Will 3 versus/vs. 4 GB make that much differences? We do heavy
multitasking like with VMware Workstation v7.x. with guest OS' even with
64-bit Windows like Vista and 7 (using minimal 512 MB of RAM
requirements). This would be added to the current installed 3 GB (1 GB
in each memory slot from 1 to 3) into the empty memory slot #4.

We would have gotten more, but I read a few Dell forum threads that
people had problems seeing all the installed RAM and had to replace
motherboards/mobos., swap memories, reset memory, etc. Also,
combinations would be picky (e.g., only can get 1 GB of RAM to the
current three and can't use 2 and 4 GB pieces unless I toss the original
three 1 GB out which is a waste of money!).

Thank you in advance.
--
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On Sat, 30 Apr 2011 11:57:03 -0700, Ant wrote:
> Other co-workers and I would like to add more memory to our 1.5 years
> old Dell Studio XPS 8000 Desktops (manufactured on 2009-11-14) that
> currently have 3 GB of RAM and 64-bit Windows 7 HP.
> http://search.dell.com/results.aspx?...&advsrch=False
> has the memory to order.
>
> Will 3 versus/vs. 4 GB make that much differences?
>

It's impossible to be certain, but I suspect it will. For one thing,
it will give you some leeway to give your virtual machines 1 GB
instead of just half hat, and that should make them run faster.

--
Stan Brown, Oak Road Systems, Tompkins County, New York, USA
http://OakRoadSystems.com
Shikata ga nai...

"Ant" <> wrote in message
news:TZmdnQn-...
>
> Other co-workers and I would like to add more memory to our 1.5 years old
> Dell Studio XPS 8000 Desktops (manufactured on 2009-11-14) that currently
> have 3 GB of RAM and 64-bit Windows 7 HP.
> http://search.dell.com/results.aspx?...&advsrch=False
> has the memory to order.
>
> Will 3 versus/vs. 4 GB make that much differences? We do heavy
> multitasking like with VMware Workstation v7.x. with guest OS' even with
> 64-bit Windows like Vista and 7 (using minimal 512 MB of RAM
> requirements). This would be added to the current installed 3 GB (1 GB in
> each memory slot from 1 to 3) into the empty memory slot #4.

Going from 3 to 4 with a 64bit OS should be a noticeable improvement,
especially since you are running VMs.

> We would have gotten more, but I read a few Dell forum threads that people
> had problems seeing all the installed RAM and had to replace
> motherboards/mobos., swap memories, reset memory, etc. Also, combinations
> would be picky (e.g., only can get 1 GB of RAM to the current three and
> can't use 2 and 4 GB pieces unless I toss the original three 1 GB out
> which is a waste of money!).

I'd surf on over to www.crucial.com and let it's system scanner take a peek.
Their memory prices are usually reasonable (yes, you can find cheaper
elsewhere but they aren't a rip-off) and their database of what works with
what is great.

Seth wrote:
> "Ant" <> wrote in message
> news:TZmdnQn-...
>>
>> Other co-workers and I would like to add more memory to our 1.5 years
>> old Dell Studio XPS 8000 Desktops (manufactured on 2009-11-14) that
>> currently have 3 GB of RAM and 64-bit Windows 7 HP.
>> http://search.dell.com/results.aspx?...&advsrch=False
>> has the memory to order.
>>
>> Will 3 versus/vs. 4 GB make that much differences? We do heavy
>> multitasking like with VMware Workstation v7.x. with guest OS' even
>> with 64-bit Windows like Vista and 7 (using minimal 512 MB of RAM
>> requirements). This would be added to the current installed 3 GB (1 GB
>> in each memory slot from 1 to 3) into the empty memory slot #4.
>
> Going from 3 to 4 with a 64bit OS should be a noticeable improvement,
> especially since you are running VMs.
>
>> We would have gotten more, but I read a few Dell forum threads that
>> people had problems seeing all the installed RAM and had to replace
>> motherboards/mobos., swap memories, reset memory, etc. Also,
>> combinations would be picky (e.g., only can get 1 GB of RAM to the
>> current three and can't use 2 and 4 GB pieces unless I toss the
>> original three 1 GB out which is a waste of money!).
>
> I'd surf on over to www.crucial.com and let it's system scanner take a
> peek. Their memory prices are usually reasonable (yes, you can find
> cheaper elsewhere but they aren't a rip-off) and their database of what
> works with what is great.
>

Rather than use the Dell site, for a quick check I looked at Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Dell-Studio-...item483e0005dd

The motherboard is LGA1156 (which accepts some Core i7 processors), so
it's a dual channel motherboard.

Crucial will usually copy the information provided by the computer
manufacturer. And in this case claims 4 x 4GB is the maximum configuration.
Crucial is selling 2GB sticks, which isn't a way to get to the max.

http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartsp...6C7C5FA5CA7304

You can find 4x4GB DDR3 kits for around $200 USD, which is pretty
damn cheap per gigabyte. Always check the reviews, to see whether the
RAM is always spotless or not.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...NG&PageSize=20

You could buy a single kit, and split it in two and upgrade two
machines to a 2x4GB configuration. Or, put the whole kit into
one machine, and try running 4x4GB. You should be able to find
a way to use the kit, one way or another. If the kit works, when
installed in one machine, then you could make a second purchase
and upgrade the rest. if the kit doesn't work 4x4GB, then split
it in two and upgrade two machines to 8GB total. And mess around
with the remaining, left over sticks, as your time and patience allow.

Paul