Hey everyone! I have a Dell G15 5530 laptop with 2x8GB RAM installed, and I'm looking to upgrade. When I checked using `wmic memphysical get maxcapacity`, it shows a max capacity of 64GB. However, Dell's official page states the maximum is 32GB. So, can I use a single 32GB RAM stick along with my existing 8GB to total 40GB? Or would it be better to just use a single 32GB stick?
Also, can I upgrade to 2x32GB in the future safely? Finally, will any of this impact my laptop's performance or longevity?
I should note that Dell recommends matching RAM in terms of capacity and speed in both slots to avoid compatibility and reliability issues. My BIOS version is currently 1.23, and I'm unsure about upgrading it. Any insights would be really appreciated! Thanks!
2 Answers
It's interesting to note that some users have found success with a single 32GB stick. According to my research, the G15 5530 can support up to 96 GiB if you can get 48 GiB modules. You might want to check that out on sites like Crucial to see compatible upgrades.
I'd recommend sticking with two matched sticks for best performance. The Dell manual suggests 32GB is the limit anyway, so mixing an 8GB and 32GB could lead to dual channel issues. Generally, 32GB is more than enough for most tasks, and since you have 2x8GB now, buying a new 32GB stick would be a good choice. But keep in mind that 64GB, while technically possible, is overkill for this model.
Thanks for the advice! I get that dual channel helps with performance, but if I can make use of the 8GB in combination, wouldn't that still offer a decent boost? My main concern is the long-term reliability and whether mixing them is worth the trade-off.