I have a Dell Studio XPS 8100 with 8gb and am wanting to upgrade 2 (4x4gb) 16 gb of memory BUT am lost on what to get as far as the best for DAW stuff

The computer specs listed--

Memory
Connectors four internally-accessible DDR3 DIMM sockets
Capacities 1 GB, 2 GB, and 4 GB
Memory type 1066-MHz or 1333-MHz DDR3 DIMM; 
non-ECC memory only
Memory configurations possible 4 GB, 6 GB, 8 GB, 12 GB, and 16 GB 
(64-bit operating system)


System Board Connectors
Memory four 240-pin connectors



So Im searching on NewEgg and Crucials websites and get lost when looking at all the options and what will work in my system.

Any help will be greatly appreciated on what to get to stick 4 sticks of 4gb each in this.  


Attach a link if you could,  THANKS

This is what Ive found but not sure if its right or if there are better choices to go with

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220638&name=Desktop-Memory

The numbers currently installed in my system on the memory are
2GB X8PC3-10600U-09-10-B0
M378B5673FHO-CH9   1032

THERE IS ALSO THIS SET

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226293&Tpk=4%2016GB%20%284%20x%204GB%29%20240-Pin%20DDR3%20SDRAM%20DDR3%201333%20%28PC3

Are these reliable brands or JUNK LOL

I've had good luck with ebay vendors when it comes to upgrading memory on computers.  I try to stick with brands I recognize.  Just search for your DDR3 and you'll get plenty of offerings compatible with that pc.  I also check NewEgg and TigerDirect - you never know where best deal will be.

I can't comment on optimum configuration for a DAW....

Is it OK to go with 2 of these kits?

http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=D1E638ECA5CA7304

Memory has gotten trickier over the years. Used to be if you had the right number of pins and the right speed you could not go wrong. Now with some systems, having slightly off-spec timings or even different programming in the memory stick ROM (memory sticks have their own programming built in), can cause problems.  
 
With retail motherboards, you can usually find a list of tested/approved memory models and vendors. Unfortunately they typically stop running tests after the motherboard is first put on the market, so newer memory (typically including sticks with more capacity) are not in the approved list even though they work fine. With Dell, you can buy your memory directly from them and pay a high  premium to buy pretty ordinary memory modules as replacement/upgrade parts. They typically use made-for-Dell motherboards and do not provide information to help you upgrade without buying from them.


The major memory vendors like Crucial, will guarantee their memory is compatible with your machine. If you buy it directly from them, they will refund your money if the memory is not compatible. I have had them send me replacements for their incompatible memory on occasion even when I did not buy from them, but that is no way guaranteed.

http://www.crucial.com/upgrade/Dell-memory/Studio/Studio+XPS+8100-upgrades.html


One way to save money without knowing a lot (in some cases more than you can learn even  from detailed spec sheets) is to find a tested or guaranteed compatible memory module, and try to match all the available specifications from a cheaper source. 

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Understanding-RAM-Timings/26/2

Or you can just buy some memory based on speed, socket and voltage, install it and see if it works. If you can find a vendor with a liberal return policy, that is a plus.

Great,

Thanks David and olemon

I used to do a lot of support on the Dell forum.  Dell's have a history of memory incompatibility with some brands of non-Dell memory.  Crucial guarantees their memory to work with Dell's and we always recommended Crucial to users that didn't want to buy memory from Dell.

This is not to say that other brands won't work, just that Crucial was a safe recommendation.  Avoid the Kingston "Value Ram" (VRM) as it is a known no-go with Dell's.

Use the Crucial search to get the correct memory for your 8100.

If you want to buy other brands, get it somewhere that has a liberal return policy in case it doesn't work. 

Thanks a bunch Fire

I appreciate it.

I finally found the link you were referring to on their search and located the the set they guarantee to work with it.

Im going to order up 2 kits to get the 4 sticks for 16gb.  Hoping all goes well with it.

Any advise after popping it in or is it just plug and run?

Thanks again

It should automatically detect it.  When you first power back on, after installing the new memory, press F2 to enter the "Setup" (BIOS) and make sure the BIOS has detected the 16GB.  If it has, all should be well.