memory speed issue

Revscpa,

Many Dell customers buy memory from http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=Inspiron%20E1505.  The sites says your notebook can support 2(1) GB memory modules of PC2-5300. This memory runs at 667.  Your Motherboard has slowed the memory 800Mhz down to 667.  I can not say whether this memory will damage your motherboard.

But Dell's website has exactly the same chips and advertise 800mz memory.  So the E1505 must be able to provide the increase of speed.  Why would Dell sell a chip advertising 800 mz.? 

Because it's more popular now so it's cheaper.  There's no harm in using it, but it won't run at 800 MHz - this system is incapable of running RAM at 800 MHz.

Only the newer Montevina-chipset models -- generally current 2009 models - can run RAM at 800 MHz.  Older Intel chipsets are limited to 667 MHz.

OK, I see that I must deal with what I have: 3327 MB memory with 667 mz.  At least it's better than 1 GB and 533mz speed.

thank you all for your valuable info.

vince

...Many Dell customers buy memory from http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=Inspiron%20E1505.....Your Motherboard has slowed the memory 800Mhz down to 667.  I can not say whether this memory will damage your motherboard.

Crucial's memory advisor is just fantastic really.  I have had very good experience with it in the past.

Also from the Crucial website:

"Do I have to buy the same size upgrade as the memory module currently installed in my computer or can I mix different sizes?Can I mix and match memory speeds?

Memory is designed to be backward-compatible, so generally speaking, you can safely add faster memory to a computer that was designed to run slower memory."

I have an Inspiron #1505.  I recently bought and installed 2-2GB Dell memory with 800mz speed....

Isn't the Inspiron supposed to allow a MAXIMUM of 2GB and not 4GB that you have installed:

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/category.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04&category_id=4325&mfgpid=193369&chassisid=-1

How did you manage to force 4GB into a 2GB system?

How old is your E1505/6400 laptop?

I don't know how old it is as I bought it used.  I have 2 E1505.  The other one we bought in 2006 new.  Would I be able to pick up the 800 if I went to a set of 2 1GB  each, instead of 2-2GB?

Thank you for the replies.  Obviously, I want to get the most out of my E1505.

vince

No, the fastest speed that your system can handle is 667, regardless of how much memory is in there.

I'm still surprised at how your system is running fine with 4GB when it can only support 2GB.

Great!  That decides it for me: 3327 mb memory with 667 mz.  I really appreciate the help I received from all of you.

thank you, Vince

I have an inspiron 6400 which is the same as the inspiron E1505 (different name same laptop). I have stuck in 4Gb of RAM 3.24Gb of this RAM is usable. It runs perfectly with 3.24Gb of the RAM usable. The motherboard runs at 667MHz so that is the maximum speed the RAM will operate at in this laptop. The maximum on the dell website was 2Gb but 4Gb can be installed with 3.24Gb of it usable.