[SOLVED] What memory is compatible with the Alienware Area-51 R2 Desktop (2015) ?

Oct 4, 2021
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Hello! So I purchased my Alienware Desktop around 2015, and overall the PC still runs great for what I need. I develop video games, so I tend to run multiple programs at the same time - Photoshop, Substance Painter, Blender, Multiple tabs on my browser for concept art, so on and so forth. My memory is currently reaching about 95% usage as these programs are open, and it slows down my workflow tremendously.

So I'm looking to upgrade my ram from 16GB (x4 4GB sticks) to 32GB (x4 8GB sticks) but my PC being older I'm not sure what ram I can possibly upgrade to? So any help would be greatly appreciated as I'm looking to upgrade as soon as possible.

Here's the current RAM sticks I have;

Brand; Samsung
Speed; 2133
Size; 4GB
Slots; x4 (x4 used)
Product Number; M378A5143DB0-CPB

Here's the motherboard I have;

Model; 0XJKKD (SOCKET 0)
 
Solution
See above. You should be able to run faster speeds. The CPU is more than capable. The worry is the Dell/Alienware BIOS. My understanding is that is a custom MSI board.

Worst case, you run at 2133, XMP may allow 2666. Next worse, you have to manually enter the memory timings to get to any speed above 2133. And the off chance that XMP profiles just works it will run at 3200. (Well, worst case would be the memory not working, but that doesn't seem likely)

There were some postings about this here: https://www.alienowners.com/

Lutfij

Titan
Moderator
Welcome to the forums, newcomer!

Download and use CPU-Z, check the Mainboard tab and parse a screenshot of what you see. It'd be a better idea to parse the CPU tab as well. While you're on your desktop, check and see if you have any BIOS updates. You can use your desktop's Service Tag/Serial Number to narrow down a support page for said prebuilt desktop.
 

Eximo

Titan
Ambassador
LGA2011 board, and you have DDR4 2133 now.

I would say skies the limit when it comes to memory speed, capacity is limited by the board to 32GB total, though officially 2133 is the top speed for Haswell-E processors.

Probably pick up some Crucial Ballistix sticks 3200Mhz CL16, should be relatively cheap, about $160 for 4x8GB.
 
Oct 4, 2021
12
0
10
Welcome to the forums, newcomer!

Download and use CPU-Z, check the Mainboard tab and parse a screenshot of what you see. It'd be a better idea to parse the CPU tab as well. While you're on your desktop, check and see if you have any BIOS updates. You can use your desktop's Service Tag/Serial Number to narrow down a support page for said prebuilt desktop.

Here's a look at my CPU on CPU-Z
http://prntscr.com/1us1nlg
 
Oct 4, 2021
12
0
10
LGA2011 board, and you have DDR4 2133 now.

I would say skies the limit when it comes to memory speed, capacity is limited by the board to 32GB total, though officially 2133 is the top speed for Haswell-E processors.

Probably pick up some Crucial Ballistix sticks 3200Mhz CL16, should be relatively cheap, about $160 for 4x8GB.
Thanks for the suggestion I'll look into this option
 
Oct 4, 2021
12
0
10
LGA2011 board, and you have DDR4 2133 now.

I would say skies the limit when it comes to memory speed, capacity is limited by the board to 32GB total, though officially 2133 is the top speed for Haswell-E processors.

Probably pick up some Crucial Ballistix sticks 3200Mhz CL16, should be relatively cheap, about $160 for 4x8GB.
I looked into these cards I only see x2 slots, nothing with x4
 

Eximo

Titan
Ambassador

Eximo

Titan
Ambassador

My only concern there is they are slightly taller. Shouldn't be an issue, but take a look inside your computer and make sure there is room for them. They might not run at 3200Mhz (though no reason a 5820k shouldn't be able to), but they will certainly run at 2133, 2400, 2666 as long as the board allows it.

There are some posts about the XMP profiles only going up to 2666 in the BIOS and that you might need to run the Intel XTU to overclock the memory through software.

Either way, you have 2133 now, and there is the potential to move this DDR4 to a new system at some point.
 
Oct 4, 2021
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Probably not to the Intel system. Some AMD CPUs were a little more sensitive to needing compatible RAM. Zen and Zen+ generations from what I recall. Zen2 and Zen3 are much more compatible.
Thanks a bunch for the help! I'm gonna go with these; G.SKILL Ripjaws V Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 3200 (PC4 25600) Desktop Memory Model F4-3200C16Q-32GVRB - Newegg.com

I have a question, considering my current system is set to 2133 Mhz, and these cards support up to 3200 Mhz, would adjusting my bios to a higher MHz affect my system? Or should I leave it as is?
 

Eximo

Titan
Ambassador
See above. You should be able to run faster speeds. The CPU is more than capable. The worry is the Dell/Alienware BIOS. My understanding is that is a custom MSI board.

Worst case, you run at 2133, XMP may allow 2666. Next worse, you have to manually enter the memory timings to get to any speed above 2133. And the off chance that XMP profiles just works it will run at 3200. (Well, worst case would be the memory not working, but that doesn't seem likely)

There were some postings about this here: https://www.alienowners.com/
 
Solution
Oct 4, 2021
12
0
10
My only concern there is they are slightly taller. Shouldn't be an issue, but take a look inside your computer and make sure there is room for them. They might not run at 3200Mhz (though no reason a 5820k shouldn't be able to), but they will certainly run at 2133, 2400, 2666 as long as the board allows it.

There are some posts about the XMP profiles only going up to 2666 in the BIOS and that you might need to run the Intel XTU to overclock the memory through software.

Either way, you have 2133 now, and there is the potential to move this DDR4 to a new system at some point.

The cards do look a little big, can't tell if it would fit in my case here's a look at it; http://prntscr.com/1us9f2c

can't tell if it would bump the fan or not