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Upgrading Inspiron 6400's RAM
Hello everyone!
I have a Dell Inspiron 6400 with 1GB of RAM - 2 of my sockets are filled with 512MB 533Mhz module each.
I'd like to upgrade that, and I'm totally confused with my options...
- I thought 2GB is the maximum, then I read something else here in the forums. Can I really install more than 2GB in it? How exactly?
- If not, can I buy a single 2GB module, or is 1GB per slot is the maximum?
- What's the maximum speed? Can I buy something running at 677Mgz? 800Mhz?
I couldn't find any reliable information about these...
Your help is appericiated.
Thanks!
Yo'av
Yoav Moshe
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August 5th, 2009 08:00
I'm running Linux, a 64bit version of Arch Linux.
Dev Mgr
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August 5th, 2009 08:00
What operating system are you using? (i.e. which version of Windows)
If it's 32-bit Windows XP, more than 2GB is a waste of money (you won't notice the difference from 2GB, and possibly not even from your current 1GB). If it's 32-bit Vista, more than 3GB is a waste of money as a 32-bit OS ends up using most of the memory in the 3GB to 4GB area for system resources.
If it's an x64 bit OS (XP or Vista), 4GB might be usable, but I think the 945 chipset cannot use more than 4GB, which means it'll still not allow a 64-bit OS to use most of the memory in the 3GB to 4GB memory area.
ejn63
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August 5th, 2009 08:00
You are at the max for capacity and speed for this model. 2G as 2X 1G, and PC2-5300 max. If you install PC2-667 or -800, it'll just downclock to 533 MHz speed.
ejn63
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August 5th, 2009 08:00
The answer to the first question is that PC2-6400 is sold in larger volume now and is cheaper. It doesn't mean it's faster in the 6400 - the system is a few years old and pre-dates the Intel mobile chipsets that can run RAM at 800 MHz. The first of these came out in 2008; anything older will simply downclock the RAM.
It may be possible to add more than 2G of RAM - but it's not guaranteed. Crucial, which guarantees compatibility, says 2G max, so it's not willing to back up a higher capacity with a refund policy. The 6400 was on the market for well over a year and had many board and chipset revisions - some may work with 4G (but you won't see more than 3.25 because of the lack of memory remapping by the chipset, nor will any of them run RAM faster that PC2-5300 speed). Others may not work at all with more than 2G.
ejn63
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August 5th, 2009 08:00
You'll lose about 10-15% of your overall performance by not installing matched pairs, so keep to a dual-channel (2X1) configuration.
RobinBredin
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August 5th, 2009 08:00
Hi, Better off going to www.crucial.com and getting a scan for your system.
Yoav Moshe
6 Posts
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August 5th, 2009 08:00
Hey,
I don't have 2GB of RAM, only 1GB.
Why is Dell selling 800Mhz RAM modules for Inspiron 6400 (PC2-6400) if it will just downclock to 533Mz?
Also, why is it written in the forums that Inspiron 6400 can utilize 3.25GB of RAM if you install 4GB in it?
Thank you.
Yoav Moshe
6 Posts
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August 5th, 2009 08:00
Thanks RobinBredin, but as I've written before, I'm running Linux so that tool won't run on my OS.
ejn63, thank you, I'll buy 2 modules of 1GB each.
Yoav Moshe
6 Posts
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August 5th, 2009 08:00
Thanks.
I don't want to take the risk, I'll stick with a simple 533Mhz 2GB.
Now my last question is if I can buy a single 2GB module or should I get 2 modules of 1GB?