Best Ram For Alienware Alpha

As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.

Alienware used the Alpha name for two materially different mini PCs. The original Alpha R1 has two 204-pin DDR3L-1600 SODIMM slots and supports up to 16 GB as a 2 × 8 GB configuration. The Alpha R2 instead has one 260-pin DDR4 SODIMM slot, officially supports 4 GB, 8 GB or 16 GB at up to 2133 MHz, and cannot use R1 memory. Start by identifying the R1 or R2 on the machine and buy only non-ECC, unbuffered laptop SODIMMs in the right DDR generation. Desktop DIMMs and soldered-memory advice do not apply here.

Pick 01 of 10

Crucial CT102464BF160B 8 GB DDR3L-1600 SODIMM

An 8 GB, 204-pin DDR3L-1600 laptop module for one of the Alpha R1’s two slots; use a matched pair for the R1’s official 16 GB ceiling.

• 8 GB single module
• DDR3L-1600 / PC3L-12800

Pros

• Correct R1 form factor
• Easy path to 2 × 8 GB

Cons

• Not for Alpha R2
• One module is not a 16 GB upgrade

Price: $25–$35

Check price on Amazon

Pick 02 of 10

Kingston ValueRAM KVR16LS11/8 8 GB DDR3L-1600 SODIMM

Kingston’s 8 GB low-voltage DDR3L-1600, 204-pin SODIMM for an Alpha R1 slot; two matching modules make the supported 16 GB configuration.

• 8 GB single module
• 1.35 V CL11 204-pin SODIMM

Pros

• Published DDR3L specification
• Correct R1 voltage and format

Cons

• Not for the DDR4 R2
• Match the second stick for 16 GB

Price: $25–$40

Check price on AmazonCheck price on eBay

Pick 03 of 10

G.SKILL Ripjaws F3-1600C9D-16GRSL 16 GB Kit

A matched 2 × 8 GB DDR3L-1600 204-pin SODIMM kit that fills both Alpha R1 slots at its documented 16 GB maximum.

• 16 GB kit, 2 × 8 GB
• DDR3L-1600 CL9 SODIMM

Pros

• Matched R1 maximum-capacity kit
• Lower-latency CL9 rating

Cons

• Uses both R1 slots
• Not usable in R2

Price: $45–$80

Check price on Amazon

Pick 04 of 10

Silicon Power SP008GLSTU160N02 8 GB DDR3L-1600 SODIMM

An 8 GB DDR3L-1600 PC3L-12800 204-pin SODIMM for one Alpha R1 memory slot; pair it with the same specification for a 16 GB R1.

• 8 GB single module
• DDR3L-1600 CL11 1.35 V SODIMM

Pros

• Exact R1 physical standard
• Single-module replacement option

Cons

• Not Alpha R2 DDR4
• Avoid mixing unlike modules

Price: $25–$35

Check price on Amazon

Pick 05 of 10

Timetec 16 GB Kit (2 × 8 GB) DDR3L-1600 SODIMM

A 2 × 8 GB, 204-pin DDR3L-1600 SODIMM kit for fully populating the two slots in an Alpha R1 at the official 16 GB maximum.

• 16 GB kit, 2 × 8 GB
• PC3L-12800 CL11 204-pin SODIMM

Pros

• Two-module R1 upgrade
• Correct low-voltage laptop form factor

Cons

• No spare R1 slot remains
• Not compatible with R2

Price: $35–$55

Check price on Amazon

Pick 06 of 10

DMS DM50 323-1 4 GB DDR4-2133 SODIMM

A 4 GB PC4-17000 260-pin DDR4-2133 SODIMM listed by Data Memory Systems as an Alienware Alpha R2-compatible replacement.

• 4 GB single module
• DDR4-2133 PC4-17000 SODIMM

Pros

• R2-specific compatibility listing
• Officially supported R2 capacity

Cons

• Entry-level capacity
• Not for R1

Price: $30–$35

Check price on Amazon

Pick 07 of 10

DMS DM50 324-1 8 GB DDR4-2133 SODIMM

An 8 GB PC4-17000 260-pin DDR4-2133 SODIMM listed for the Alpha R2’s single slot, matching the R2’s factory-standard removable capacity.

• 8 GB single module
• DDR4-2133 PC4-17000 SODIMM

Pros

• R2-specific listing
• Correct single-slot format

Cons

• Not an R1 module
• Does not add a second R2 slot

Price: $40–$45

Check price on Amazon

Pick 08 of 10

DMS DM50 325-1 16 GB DDR4-2133 SODIMM

A 16 GB PC4-17000 260-pin DDR4-2133 SODIMM for taking the Alpha R2’s one slot to its documented maximum capacity.

• 16 GB single module
• DDR4-2133 PC4-17000 SODIMM

Pros

• Matches official R2 maximum
• System-specific compatibility listing

Cons

• R2 has only one slot
• Not for DDR3L R1

Price: $75–$85

Check price on Amazon

Pick 09 of 10

Crucial CT16G4SFD8213 16 GB DDR4-2133 SODIMM

Crucial’s 16 GB 260-pin DDR4-2133 PC4-17000 SODIMM is the right generation, speed and maximum module capacity for the single-slot Alpha R2.

• 16 GB single module
• DDR4-2133 CL15 260-pin SODIMM

Pros

• Exact R2 speed class
• Fills R2 to its documented maximum

Cons

• One module only
• Not interchangeable with R1 DDR3L

Price: $120–$135

Check price on Amazon

Pick 10 of 10

A-Tech 16 GB DDR4-2133 PC4-17000 SODIMM

A-Tech’s 16 GB, 260-pin non-ECC DDR4-2133 SODIMM provides the Alpha R2’s maximum supported capacity in its single memory slot.

• 16 GB single module
• DDR4-2133 CL15 260-pin SODIMM

Pros

• Correct R2 capacity and form factor
• Non-ECC laptop module

Cons

• Not an R1 option
• Use only in the R2’s single slot

Price: $95–$105

Check price on Amazon

Buying tips

• Confirm the model first: R1 uses two DDR3L-1600 204-pin SODIMMs, while R2 uses one DDR4-2133 260-pin SODIMM.
• For an R1 16 GB upgrade, install a matched 2 × 8 GB kit rather than a single 16 GB module.
• The R2’s official maximum is one 16 GB module; do not buy a desktop DIMM or a two-stick kit for it.

As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.