2 Questions about Inspiron 15 - CPU and GPU

Question

Hi I have just bought an Inspiron 15 with direct from Dell, it's being built at the moment but I wanted to know a couple of things...

- What's the maximum shared memory on the Intel HD3000? Reports vary online and I guess it depends on Dell BIOS.

- Is the Sandy Bridge CPU socketed? Once the warranty expires I may like to beef up the processor as I have done on my old Latitudes. It's not something that worries me at the moment as I find the B815 more than enough for my needs, I would not even entertain the idea till warranty expired, but it would be nice to know and in future could extend the useful life of the machine :-)

SPECS:

Inspiron 15 - N5050
	Processor: Intel Celeron B815 (1.60GHz,1333,2M cache)
	3 GB DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz (3 DIMMs)
	Display: 15.6in High Definition (1366X768) WLED LCD Panel
	Internal Qwerty Keyboard
	8X DVD+/- RW Drive
	English Genuine Windows 7 SP1 Home Premium (64Bit OS)
	Intel HD Graphics 3000 Graphics Card

ejn63 · Accepted Answer

Can't answer the first, but the CPU is socketed.  That said, the advent of the new Ivy Bridge CPUs will likely spell the end of the Sandy Bridge so by the time you upgrade, you may find used CPUs all that are left.

speedstep · Accepted Answer

The amount of RAM used is based on how much texture and some other info being loaded to the CPU at one time. Its a dynamic number not a static number. INTEL Graphics is Integrated and VERY SLOW.

There are Many Models of Inspiron 15 N5050. TurboTrash(NVIDIA) and HyperJunk (ATI) can use up to 1.5 Gigs of System Ram.

My Guess would be Max Shared Ram Depends on how much total Ram AND how much resolution so 1.5 to 3 Gigs stealing seems

likely.

Dell Inspiron M5040/15-N5040/15-N5050 Owner's Manual

CPU Socket Looks like standard plastic ZIF.

sylvian 1 · Answer

Thanks for the reply. Hey I don't mind if they're second hand at that point, it should make them cheaper :)

sylvian 1 · Answer

Hi, thanks for this information. I am aware of the limitations of Intel HD but I've found they are enough for my needs (wife plays Sims 3, a few old games). However I had an Acer laptop where they severely restricted the amount of shared GPU memory (I think it was 64MB) and hoped this model would not have such a strict limitation.

Thanks to the both of you, very informative :)

speedstep · Answer

64 Meg or Less means Earlier Version of INTEL Graphics.

sylvian 1 · Answer

Sorry one more question, it says 3 DIMMS on the spec but in the manual it says 2... which is correct?

Locked Topics – Laptops General

2 Questions about Inspiron 15 - CPU and GPU

Dell Inspiron M5040/15-N5040/15-N5050 Owner's Manual

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