@doughoff actually it's not as bad as you might think. Download the service manual for your computer [https://dl.dell.com/content/manual62659469-xps-17-9700-service-manual.pdf?language=en-us|from here] Page 19 shows you what to do to work on those. If you do want to clean the Ram modules, I use a pencil eraser to clean the contacts.
Since iFixit does not yet have a guide for this, it would be great if you could do this. While you work on your computer, take lots of pictures. Once you are done with it, take those pictures and create a guide for iFixit. That will help the next person that has the same problem as you do. It's easy and fun to create these guides. https://ifixit.com/Guide/new The iFixit community will appreciate this.