Studio 1737 manual is incorrect!

maybestudio17,

32-bit systems can only handle 4gb RAM. 64-bit systems can handle 8gb RAM. If you want to go from Vista 32-bit to Vista 64-bit, then CLICK HERE.

Rick

Thanks for the link Rick.  The manual is describing hardware limitations rather than software though.  To see what I mean, take a look on page 58 of http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/studio1737/en/SG/F174HA01MR.pdf.

My roommate's 1737 is currently running 6GB of memory (4GB+2GB). The 1737 uses the Intel 45 chipset, which can use 8GB, unlike the older 1735 model, which used the 965 chipset.

Hi Master S.  Thanks for the reply.  Yeah, I noticed that the chipset itself supports 8GB too, but it is common for motherboards to not expose all of the functionality of the chipset.  The manual I linked to is clearly for the 1737, not the 1735.  How long has your roommate had his 1737?

An example of chipset functionality not exposed by the motherboard:

The Studio 1737 uses the Intel PM45/GM45 chipset.  The chipset supports DDR3 memory and a front side bus of 1066 MHz.  The Studio 1737 does not support DDR3 and has a max front side bus of 800 MHz.

An example of chipset functionality not exposed by the motherboard: The Studio 1737 uses the Intel PM45/GM45 chipset.  The chipset supports DDR3 memory and a front side bus of 1066 MHz.  The Studio 1737 does not support DDR3 and has a max front side bus of 800 MHz.

It only doesn't support DDR3 because the motherboard does not have the physical slots for it. DDR2 and DDR3 are physically incompatible, and including both slots on one motherboard would be extremely inefficient.

And the 1737 can use 1066MHz FSB processors; you can configure it with P-series processors, all of which are 1066 FSB.

Hello,

I was wondering if you had found an answer to this, are you able to upgrade the RAM?

I am looking at the 1737s at the outlet store, and like you, I want to make sure that it can be upgraded in the future.

Thank you!

Hello, I was wondering if you had found an answer to this, are you able to upgrade the RAM? I am looking at the 1737s at the outlet store, and like you, I want to make sure that it can be upgraded in the future. Thank you!

Yes, the Studio 1737's memory can be upgraded to 8GB.

I have a Studio 1737 with 6 GB RAM, with T9550 (2.66 GHz /1066 FSB/ ^MB Cache) per specs., and the memmory is 6 GB DDR2, 800 MHz in 2 DIMMS.  OS is Vista Home premium 64-bit.  I have not played with it yet, just got it a month or so ago.  The Bios shows 6 GB.  So yes it can be done.

Came with ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650 with 256 MB VRAM.  I am trying to figure out if I can upgrade the graphics to 512MB since Dell is offering it now on new Studio 17's but have not confirmed yet that I can.  Dell's website does not list the ATI Mobility Radeon 512MB as a aftersales upgrade option, and I have yet to find a card listed on eBay.  ATI's Website does not provide a definitive answer yet.  Does anyone know if this video upgrade can be done? 

Regards

Can you tell me anything about the error code 2000-0411 "Cables - clock generator not detected"?

I have read in many forums that if your Dell Studio 1737 is a 64 bit computer  that you can upgrade from 4GB (2x2GB) to 8GB (2x4GB).  When I try to buy  the 8GB kit they tell me that they won't work in my computer.  Therefore I am running into the same problem can I upgrade to 8GB safely without hurting my computer? 

Page 58 of the Studio 1737 manual (http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/studio1737/en/SG/F174HA01MR.pdf) states that the maximum supported RAM for this system is 4GB.  Page 56 says that the processor address bus width is 32 bits which would indeed limit the system to 4GB. However, dell.com is offering Studio 17 configurations with up to 8GB of RAM.  Assuming dell.com is not selling machines with an invalid configuration, this leads me to believe one of two things has happened. 1)  The Studio 1737 has always been capable of handling more than 4GB, and the manual is just wrong. 2)  There has been a hardware update that has allowed support for more than 4GB, but the manual has not been updated. I am considering ordering a Studio 17 with 4GB or less, but I want to upgrade it to > 4GB in a few years.  I am concerned that perhaps option 2 has happened and they are waiting to update the manual until their old inventory has been depleted.  If this is the case, ordering a system with 4GB or less would probably result in me getting the old version. So my questions are thus: Does anyone have any direct knowledge of the situation? Has anyone had a 1737 since the long, long ago and still been able to successfully upgrade past 4GB?

I have this exact model and Our processor is a 64bit and can support up to 8GB of RAM. I had to go to www.crucial.com and have them scan my computer to show this! I will be buying the 8GB set here soon! Dell shouldn't lie to there customers and I am really disapointed in theme and doubt I will be buying my next laptop from them. They have no idea half the time what the hell were talking about!

Also you can't upgrade the graphics without replacing the whole motherboard! Our graphicscard also has the capability to use our RAM! Our card is good enough for diablo 3!!!!

Do you know if the 1737 home premium has a switchable grphics card?

It does not.  The video chip is soldered to the system board.