XPS 410 Processor & RAM Upgrade

Question

I have a Dell XPS 410 with Core2Duo 2.13 GHz, 2x2 GB Ram, Win7 Pro 64bit. BIOS 2.5.3 Updated (Dec2007). I have following questions,

1) After reviewing some conversations in the forum, I tried to increased my Ram from 4GB to 6GB. But after installing 3 DIMMs (2GB each), the windows properties shows this:

Physical Memory 6 GB (3GB Available).

It does not make any sense to me. Does it mean that I am still using less than 4GB?

2) All my RAMs are 800MHz. But including BIOS and other places it shows all rams to be 667MHz. Why is it so? How to make them working as 800MHz?

3) I see the list of upgradable processors HERE. the list does not include QX6800 core2quad processor. But QX6800 has same FSB speed and same 65nm. Can I use QX6800 to upgrade my pc?

Would you please help me to find the answer of these????

Thanks in advance.

Dell-Jyotpal F · Accepted Answer

Hi Tempmosaddeq.khan,

If the BIOS in the computer shows 6GB of RAM then your computer is using the full 6GB of RAM. About the speed, since we have tested this particular model of the computer with 4GB DDR2 RAM, I would recommend you to take out one memory module of 2GB RAM and use the computer at 4GB of RAM and then check the speed in the BIOS.

You can also plug one memory module at a time in one slot and check if there is any difference in the speed. Please reply with your findings.

About the processor, it states that its maximum clocking speed is 2.93Ghz. So, the technology of the processors are designed in such a way that depending upon the load of applications running on the computer, the processor will adjust its core speed accordingly. So if less amount of applications are running, then the processor will run at a lower speed and if more applications are running on the computer then it will tune up its speed accordingly. This is to save power and save electricity.

Also to upgrade the processor, you just need to update the BIOS to the latest version which you already have. There is no need to install any software or applications for it.

Hope this helps.

mosaddeq · Accepted Answer

Hey JoytPal!

SUCCESS and SUCCESS!!! This is really wonderful! Thank you very very much!! Merci Beacup!!

I am currently running 8GB RAM with Core2Quad processor!

I would like state two issues here, so that others might get help.

1) RAM issue: Just follow the processe

a) In the 'mscofig' file, uncheck the 'Maximum Memory'. Make sure this box is clear.

b) MAKE sure you unplug the power supply to the computer before insurting the new RAM modules.

c) MAKE sure ALL of your RAM modules are EXACTLY same so that you get the best performance of the memory.

* JOYTPAL, I am now getting exactly 8GB, 800MHz in the BIOS, CPU gadget and the "Performance" tab of the task manager. I followed the above stated procedure. Thank you again for your directions.

2) PROCESSOR upgrade: Here I did not get any thermal paste cleaner in the local market. So I used towel tissues and old credit card to remove the old thermal paste from the top of the new processor and the bottom of the heat sink. I used "TG-3" thermal paste of the "Thermaltake" company.

However, I currently face a few issues, like the windows hanged in the 5th restart. I had to add more thermal paste to the processor and the heat sink; and the problem was resolved. I was panicked at the beginning when the windows did not work --- even with the windows installation disk. With the Q6600 intel processor (Core2Quad, 2.4GHz) from the previously installed E6420 (Core2Duo, 2.13GHz), I am getting very good startup for the Photoshop. However, I added three times the thermal paste to the processor as to improve the performance of the PC. Should I put all of the thermal paste from the syringe? If yes, then I have to dismental the cooling fan again. However, if adding more would improve the performance further, I would not hasitate to do that once more. Please let me know.

Now I am getting windows experience index for Memory to be 5.7 (previously 5.6/5.5) and for the processor 4.5 (previously 4.3 and before doing these upgradation it was 5.3; I don't know why it behaved like this!)

So far so good.

Thanks again and if I face any other issues related to these upgradations, I would post those here.

Take care!

Dell-Jyotpal F · Answer

Hi Tempmosaddeq.khan,

I would be glad to answer your questions. So here goes:

Answer to Question 1: XPS 410 has a maximum usage of RAM limited to 4GB. So 6GB RAM would not work on the computer. It will just use 4GB out of 6GB of RAM installed.

Answer to Question 2: Are all your (2GBx3) RAM modules of the same 800MHz Speed? Because even if one of them is at 667MHz speed then all of the three RAM's would run at the 667MHz Speed.

Answer to Question 3: Yes, you may go ahead and upgrade the Processor to QX6800 core2quad as FSB speed and the Lithogram (65nm) are the same. But you may need to upgrade the power supply as QX6800 core2quad draws 130Watts of power.

Hope this helps. If you have any other questions or queries please feel free to ask.

mosaddeq · Answer

For Answer to Question 1: I have seen several conversations in this Forum saying that XPS410 can use 8GB. For example: "The XPS 410 will also support 8 GB of 800MHz RAM. However, if you are using a 32 bit version of windows, 4GB is your limit. If you do have a 32 bit operating system but still want a memory upgrade, use 2 2GB modules as that will leave 2 slots open for a potential memory upgrade if you switch to 64Bit windows."

Then why I can not USE 8GB; where other people are using this 8GB in their XPS410 machine?

For Answer to Question 2: Yes, ALL three (3) RAM modules are same 800 MHz. Then why I can not see this 800MHz speed in them in my system?

For Answer to Question 3: Really appreciate your reply. But will changing the processor to Q6700/Q6600/QX6800 increase noticeable performance of the PC?

Thanks again.

Dell-Jyotpal F · Answer

Hi Tempmosaddeq.khan,

What is the amount of RAM that you see in the BIOS?

Have you tried to update the BIOS to the latest version? If not, then please update the BIOS to the latest version and then check the speed of the RAM. To download the latest BIOS, click here .

As far as upgrading the processor is concerned, yes there will be a noticeable difference in multi-tasking with various softwares and applications with faster processing.

Awaiting for your input

mosaddeq · Answer

The latest BIOS from dell.com has been installed.

The BIOS shows all 6GB Ram but with 667MHz (not 800MHz, as those Ram are ALL 800MHz).

Do I have to install/do any other software/hardware to upgrade the processor to Q6700/QX6700/Q6600?

Thanks.

mosaddeq · Answer

Also, if I upgrade to Core2Quad Extreme 2.93GHz, would I get this speed (2.93GHz)? If not, how could I achieve it?

mosaddeq · Answer

Hey! Your suggestions about RAM worked! Thanks a lot!

I plugged out one Ram module and turned on the PC with 4GB Ram installed in it. The BIOS correctly showed 800 MHz with Memory Channel Mode to be Dual Inter leaved. And also in the Norton Diagnostics, it found two DIMM with each one 800MHz. Then I take a close look to the Ram module that I plugged out and found that on its level it says 800 and 16C CL 5.0; whereas in all other three Ram modules are 161C CL6.0. Would you please explain how this only difference in Ram modules would make the BIOS to show the Ram speed to be 667MHz? What is the difference between the 16C CL5.0 and 161C CL6.0?

Another new issue: My computer windows experience index used to show 5.3 for processor performance before I insurted the new Ram modules. After insurting additional Ram modules, that index dropped down to 4.3. Even after removing the added Ram modules, still that index is 4.3. Why the processor index goes down with adding more Ram modules?

So, if I increase my Ram to 8GB, will the windows experience index be going down? Is that the core2duo 2.13 can not handle Ram more than 4GB?

Now, my last query is if I change the processor to Q6700/Q6600/QX6800, are these processor capable to handle 8GB Ram properly?

Highly appreciated your quick and thoughtful direction.

mosaddeq · Answer

ohh! One thing I forgot to mention.

You said if I see the amount of Ram in the BIOS, then the computer is using that amount of Ram regardless what is shown in the windows experience index. When I used 6GB of Ram, the BIOS found those all 6GB Ram properly. But the gadget of win7 for CPU Meter, I found that the Ram meter is behaving exactly as it was behaving with 4GB Ram that was installed previously. Is that CPU Meter Gadget is an authentic source for measuring usage of Ram?

Is there any method to know exactly how much Ram is ACTUALLY being used and amount that is available in a run-time of a computer?

Thanks

Dell-Jyotpal F · Answer

Hi Tempmosaddeq.khan,

16C CL5.0 and 161C CL6.0 are nothing but different classifications of Memory modules operating with different response time at different speeds. (I am referring here to the response time speed). So this could be a possibility why the BIOS of the computer showed the RAM is operating with 667MHz of speed because BIOS is programmed to take the lowest possible speed if available from the memory modules. So classification could have been the difference here.

The Windows experience Index might have gone down due to the lower speed of the ram operating in 667MHz . Try to refresh the index once again manually with 800Mhz speed of RAM installed and then check the rating. Processor and RAM have nothing to do in common regarding the Windows Experience Index. It is the computer's operation as a whole including all the components that contribute to the Windows Experience Index. The Windows Experience Index should not go down if more amount of RAM is added. Until if the RAM operates at a lower speed i.e. of 667Mhz, then there could be a difference in the rating.

The Core2Dup processor has nothing to do with RAM and Vice Versa. Processor and RAM are two separate hardware components that work together with via the motherboard. Processor and RAM limitations depend on the motherboard and not with each other. So even if you upgrade your processor to the Quad Core one it should work absolutely fine.

We at Dell do not depend on the Windows 7 Gadgets for the usage of RAM. There are many contributing factors like background process and services running in Windows. Usage of RAM in Windows varies from application to application and from software to software. Even RAM management varies on different operating systems. Windows XP will manage RAM usage different than Vista and Vista will manage different from Windows 7 and so on. So unless you face any slow performance and lag issues on your computer, you don't have to worry about the CPU / RAM meter.

If you want to know exactly what amount of RAM is being used by your computer, then open Windows Task Manager and go to Performance Tab for CPU and RAM usage. For reference, check the image below:

Hope this answer's all your queries.

mosaddeq · Answer

Again, thanks for your explanations for CLs.

One unresolved Issue: I used both physical 4GB and physical 6GB Ram in the mobo. In each case (except BIOS) the windows experience index shows 3.0GB usable memory and Also in the "Performance" tab of the task manager, the Total Memory indicates Exactly 3.069GB (For both 4GB and 6GB Physical Ram installed). WHY? And does it mean the computer is basically USING actually exactly 3.069GB of memory? I 'FEEL' a better and smoother operations using 6GB Ram compare to that of 4GB Ram. However, this 'feeling' of mine should be logically somehow converted into some kind of numeric terms; which I don't see anywhere except in the BIOS. So, should I be happy and know for sure that BIOS indications are the perfect in the sense of actual utilizations of the RAMs?

In short, how can I be sure that the computer is ACTUALLY using all of my 6GB RAM?

And, do you recommend to upgrade even under this situation to 8GB RAM?

Thanks.

Dell-Jyotpal F · Answer

Hi Tempmosaddeq.khan,

You are welcome!

To test the hardware of the computer Dell will always recommend to first check the BIOS of the computer and see whether the RAM is being shown correctly or not. If it shows correctly then be sure that the RAM is being used as a whole. For example 4GB will be used as 4GB and 6GB as 6GB. As far as windows is concerned, it seems to be some issue with Windows itself. Click here to know more about it and read through article.

If the BIOS shows 6GB RAM then you can be sure that the computer is using 6GB of RAM.

6GB of RAM is more than sufficient as per me for day to day work on the computer. Rest its your call as well, if you want to upgrade you can as well go ahead with it!

Hope this answers your questions.

mosaddeq · Answer

Hi JoytPal,

About Processor Upgrade: In the forums, I found that the "Arctic Silver 5" and "Arctic Clean 1 & 2" are the best and suitable products to thermally paste and remove old pastes respectively to the new processor with the heat sink. However, I have not found this specific brand thermal paste/removals. I found "TG-3" of Thermaltake company. This is only for paste. Will it work fine to paste the processor with the heat sink? And I got one spray can of Phillips that they use for cleaning mobo. This spray can removes even rust from bicycle, door hinges etc. Will this spray can be appropriate to clean the surface of the new processor and the heat sink? According to the directions for plugging new processor, they tell to clean the metal surface of the processor also before applying the thermal past. Please let me know your opinion regarding this matter.

About the Ram Upgrade: I noticed few findings that I would like to share with you. When 6GB Ram was plugged into the computer, the windows experience index shows 5.7; but with 4GB Ram this windows experience index shows 5.6, although it says "3.0GB usable". About the CPU Meter gadget, this gadget meter uses exactly the same value as those are found in the "performance" tab of the windows task manager. According to what you said earlier, Dell uses the 'performance' tab indication of use of Ram; although in the last response you clearly said that the BIOS in the main and only valid indication of the use of Ram.

I shall definitely let you informed if any other findings would be noticed and would await for your comments/reply.

Thanks,

Dell-Jyotpal F · Answer

Hi Tempmosaddeq.khan,

To be honest, I do not have any expert opinion about thermal paste because whatever we ship along with the computers are directly applied to the processor from the factory and then fixed onto the motherboard and shipped. Also thermal paste come of different kind and are vary from region to region. You could consult a local technician nearby about the thermal paste application and which would be easily available and best to suit your needs.

About the spray can as you have explained it, seems it contains some strong chemicals that can remove rust but at the same time would damage the motherboard too. So I would strongly advise not to use the spray can. If you want to clean the motherboard then use a soft paintbrush and lightly dust it off or use a compressed air can spray.

About the RAM, I meant to say was we use BIOS to detect the amount of RAM (4GB / 6GB) and we use task manager to calculate how much RAM is being used by the Windows operating system. Apologies if it sounded misleading to you.

Dell-Jyotpal F · Answer

Hi Tempmosaddeq.khan,

Congratulations! Good to know that your computer is fully operational.

And, I thank you for the sharing the steps here on the community. As I mentioned earlier, I do not have any substantial knowledge about the application of thermal paste. But if your computer is working absolutely perfect now then I would recommend to leave it as it is.

And yes, in case of any issues please feel free to reach out to us. It's been a pleasure helping you out!

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XPS 410 Processor & RAM Upgrade

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