O/T - Need help with Laptop memory

[Tommy L]

I'm looking to upgrade my Laptop's memory, looked inside to see what type was installed, which was: 512mb 2Rx16 PC2-4200S-444-12-A3.

Do I have to get the exact same type? I was looking at Dell's website and it reccomended a PC2-3200 memory for my Laptop??!!

It's a Dell Inspiron 6000 by the way, I'm looking for a 1gig module to go with the 512mb that's already installed!

 

[Chris]

That 1gb PC-2 stick would be ok. However, there no guarantee it'll work... depends if the motherboard can take it.

Chris

 

[Darren]

with memory you gotta be a bit picky with it myself i would only ever stick in same type frequency and size but generaly you can mix different sizes but there will be no gaurantee that the 2 sticks will like each other even if you get a slower or faster speed it doesnt matter as the faster one will slow itself down to match the slower

 

[Tommy L]

Will it not clash with the existing 512mb memory then?

Since dell reccomend the PC2-3200 off their website, I take it will work!!

 

[Chris]

You won't be able to use it with that stick. If you're putting in two sticks, they have to be the same frequency.

Chris

 

[Darren]

they dont have to be the same frequency as the faster will automaticaly slow down to the slowers speed

 

[Darren]

here is an exert from offtek.co.uk

"DDR memory has been manufactured to be backward compatible so you can add faster memory modules to your machine. For example, if you install a PC3200 module alongside an original PC2700 module the memory will wor and be fully compatible but you will not gain any performance benefit, as the PC3200 module will be clocking down to PC2700 to run alongside the original PC2700 module installed."

 

[Chris]

Didn't realise it was DDR to be honest.

My bad! Lol

Chris

 

[Tommy L]

So If I get a PC2-4200 1gig stick to go with the 512mb it should be ok!!??

It's a DDR II B.T.W.

 

[Chris]

Providing the motherboard'll take it, yes.

Chris

 

[Tommy L]

The m'board will take up to 2gig!!

 

[Darren]

as i said it should be ok but but memory is really tempormental the 512mb may work with one companys 1gb but may not with anothers so if possible at least try and get the same company that made it i have a spare computer next door running 512mb and a 256mb from different companys but they work together its a risk you take

imm pretty sure that your board would work in a dual channel mode does your bios have this option or in your manual as this would be more benficial than sticking in a 1gb stick as it would more than likely be faster then as one stick reads data and one stick writes data but the have to be exactly the same for this option speed and size

and i know its ddr 2 as the name pc2 tells me and the 4200 tells me its 533 mhz if i remember i can tell you the rest if you want me to be realy sad oh dear to much time at comuters for me hehe

 

[Tommy L]

Ahh, I see. Shows how much I know doesn't it

 

[Darren]

so its up to preference

if you run lots of programs at the same time get the 1gb stick

if you want brute speed get the other 512mb

saying that you probably wouldnt notice the speed unless you do some hardcore app running maybe video editing or benchmarking but im a brute speed fan myslef and have never needed any more than my identically matched pair of kingston pc2 4200 512mbs sticks and ive got a bentchmark score of 8500 on 3dmark 05 just need my second 7900 graphics card now god im sad haha