Upgrade RAM on a pre-built later to save money?

[KingstonU]

I am debating if it's worth saving $100 from a pre-built Alienware desktop by buying the extra ram separately and adding it myself.
Going from 16GB to 32GB on their website is $200 more! But I can buy an additional 16GB for just $100. Worth the savings to buy separately and install myself? Or too much hassle / risk?

Do I need to know the exact model of RAM that is comes with and match it exactly?

Thanks!

 

[whm1974]

You can check Crucial's website for a compatibility tool to which modules will work. I'm sure other manufactures have the same type of tools.

However you may void the warrenity by doing this. Something to keep in mind.

 

[killster1]

opening a alienware voids warranty? just add it yourself. a 16gb stick is going to be 120+ tho, im sure ddr4 prices will slowly be falling for the rest of the year.

 

[whm1974]

opening a alienware voids warranty? just add it yourself. a 16gb stick is going to be 120+ tho, im sure ddr4 prices will slowly be falling for the rest of the year.

It might, which one of the reasons I only DIY.

 

[killster1]

It might, which one of the reasons I only DIY.

it doesnt, only thing that voids warranty is if you break something else while doing it. simply opening the case and adding ram will be fine, the new ram of course wont be under same warranty as computer, but that was expected.

 

[whm1974]

it doesnt, only thing that voids warranty is if you break something else while doing it. simply opening the case and adding ram will be fine, the new ram of course wont be under same warranty as computer, but that was expected.[/QUOTE}]
This varies from brand to brand, Some will void the warranty if you open the case. It is something to be aware of.

 

[killster1]

name a brand that voids from opening the case? alienware is not one of them so stop repeating it.

the small aio that look like a speaker? something ultra custom not a regular desktop

 

[whm1974]

name a brand that voids from opening the case? alienware is not one of them so stop repeating it.

the small aio that look like a speaker? something ultra custom not a regular desktop

Off hand I don't know any brand that does this, Apple maybe?

Edit:
Well it looks like you are right:
https://techcrunch.com/2018/04/11/f...oid-warranties-over-using-3rd-party-services/
The voiding of warranty issue is something I read a few years ago. I'm glad I was wrong about this.

 

[mpo]

Replacing and/or adding RAM will not void your warranty. However, you may be asked to return to the original spec before Dell will troubleshoot your computer.

Watch out for the configurations with 2933MHz HyperX RAM. Aftermarket upgrades are spendy.