Question about notebook memory - for the computer guys.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Corpus Christi, TX
Question about notebook memory - for the computer guys.
I'm running a Dell Inspiron 8500, 2.4ghz P4, with 512mb RAM. I was noticing that I can put up to 2gb of RAM on this sucker, and with the price of memory being dirt cheap these days, I'm thinking about throwing a bit more on.
Right now, I've got two 256mb chips, totaling up to the 512mb. I don't remember all the particulars about memory, but could I take one of the 256 chips, and replace it with a new 512 chip, totaling 768mb of ram??
Something in the back of my mind is telling me that you've got to have the same amount of ram in each DIMM slot, but I wasn't too sure.
So whaddya guys think??
Right now, I've got two 256mb chips, totaling up to the 512mb. I don't remember all the particulars about memory, but could I take one of the 256 chips, and replace it with a new 512 chip, totaling 768mb of ram??
Something in the back of my mind is telling me that you've got to have the same amount of ram in each DIMM slot, but I wasn't too sure.
So whaddya guys think??
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,624
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From: Bixby, OK
I don't know about laptops.. but on towers and whatnot, you can use different sizes. I have 4 slots that I can put memory into.. haven't really built up the computer though, I'm using all my money for my truck. But I do know of a few people running 768 MB of RAM.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Blue Hill Township
With newer laptops, they use DDR ram. This means that you do not have to install in pairs at all. If you want, you can replace a 256 with a 512. Or, you could go with 2x 512, and have 1gb of ram, which I have in my laptop. I absolutely love 1GB, and I think its the sweet spot right now.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Long Island USA
I concur...
Check this:
http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...0/3Y007bk1.pdf
Not sure if that's going to work, but it's the Owner's manual for your laptop.
In the section about adding memory, they infer that you can have one or two dimms. This basically means it's not a dual-path, and you can put whatever sizes you want in.
I got a new P4 3.0GHz, and with Windows XP, 1GB is just about perfect, although I have gotten it to thrash a little bit once or twice. I might upgrade to 2GB soon...
Check this:
http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...0/3Y007bk1.pdf
Not sure if that's going to work, but it's the Owner's manual for your laptop.
In the section about adding memory, they infer that you can have one or two dimms. This basically means it's not a dual-path, and you can put whatever sizes you want in.
I got a new P4 3.0GHz, and with Windows XP, 1GB is just about perfect, although I have gotten it to thrash a little bit once or twice. I might upgrade to 2GB soon...
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Pleasant Hill, MO
agreed. the new types of ram they're coming out with are totally independent of one another. I'd go ahead and throw in the extra 50 bucks and get TWO sticks of 512. Might I direct you to www.tigerdirect.com ?
Ryan
Ryan
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From: B/CS, Texas!!
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Central NY
Checkout pricewatch.com for prices. Crucial is a good company to work with but a bit higher in price, but good solid memory (no cheap super slow crap)
A couple of things to keep in mind when mixing memory.
you get what you pay for. Don't expect performance ram at dirt cheap prices
Memory modules will run at the speed of the slowest one in your system, so match the modules specs (speed & CL) to what you have or better. For speed higher numbers are faster. For CL (cas latency) lower is better.
If your system supports dual channel, then you will need to replace your memory modules in pairs to keep dual channel working (typically they will state they are dual channel and often sold in matched pairs only) Mismatched sizes/speeds will revert to single channel and you will loose overall performance.
Heat spreaders (I haven't seen any on sodiims yet) are so NOT Needed for DDR ram yet almost all high performace ram comes with them.
Cheers,
Popa Tim
A couple of things to keep in mind when mixing memory.
you get what you pay for. Don't expect performance ram at dirt cheap prices
Memory modules will run at the speed of the slowest one in your system, so match the modules specs (speed & CL) to what you have or better. For speed higher numbers are faster. For CL (cas latency) lower is better.
If your system supports dual channel, then you will need to replace your memory modules in pairs to keep dual channel working (typically they will state they are dual channel and often sold in matched pairs only) Mismatched sizes/speeds will revert to single channel and you will loose overall performance.
Heat spreaders (I haven't seen any on sodiims yet) are so NOT Needed for DDR ram yet almost all high performace ram comes with them.
Cheers,
Popa Tim
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Zimmerman, MN
Mwave is a good place. Ordered my PC from there (pieces and assembled here).
Do make sure you refer to your manual for your model though. I have 2 Dell servers here (new) and they do require memory in pairs only.
Also make sure you get the correct memory for your Dell. If it is DDR, or DDR2, ECC, non-ECC. Follow the manual to a T. Dells can be touchy on memory (I know, we've ordered the wrong stuff for the office computers before, will not work).
Good luck
Do make sure you refer to your manual for your model though. I have 2 Dell servers here (new) and they do require memory in pairs only.
Also make sure you get the correct memory for your Dell. If it is DDR, or DDR2, ECC, non-ECC. Follow the manual to a T. Dells can be touchy on memory (I know, we've ordered the wrong stuff for the office computers before, will not work).
Good luck
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Bixby, OK
Originally Posted by Munkey
Thanks for the tips guys!! I remember way back running a 133mhz system and bumping the memory from 16mb to 32mb!! I thought I was da-man with that system!