Most of laptops have not provide the user with lots of bios setting. I am sure none of DELL laptops will allow you to change memory timing.

Geez, let me get this straight, if I buy a SODIMM with shorter latency timings than I have now, I wont be able to change the settings in the bios, and it will run with the worse latency from my previous SODIMM?

That seems like a customer complaint case... doesn't seem right for me...

Or is it by any chance something like it will detect the timings of the new module automatically, and set it automatically? (I know it seems unlikely, but I'm having trouble to believe this can't be done).

Thanks Stig80

No Not really. I do not know of any major manufacturer that supplies complete systems that do allow you to change memory timing. Especially on a notebook. If you know of any please post what make they are.

Just think of the tech support calls when someone changes the timing to some setting that does not allow the PC to boot at all, not even into the BIOS to change them back. No major manufacturer is that dumb or that dumb any more.

This is the PC, here are the hardware specs for this PC. Place other parts in the PC that are not to the factory specs and then call TS for help. They will tell you to take those add on parts OUT.

As far as major manufacturers go NO you do NOT need to change memory timings. They spec the system out for "X" speed/timing memory, IF you chose to use faster memory that is up to you BUT the system is made to work with what is originally installed and spec'ed.

A Asus motherboard is NOT a Dell PC. I seriously doubt any maker of any notebook, not even Alienware, allows you to make these types of setting changes.

To be honest memory with slightly better timings will not improve the overall performance of the PC as to were you would notice it. Most of the time the only reason for adjusting the timings it to keep the system stable when overclocking it.

No you are not unable to get faster memory, you can get it. But it will run at the system specs.

SODIMM memory has built in SPD chip that provides the memory initialization code that provides the characteristics of that memory module. So, the memory initializtion code uses the info from the SPD to load the validated timings for that particular DIMM. So, there is no need to change the BIOS settings. Plus, altering the BIOS setiings in a notebook tends to make the system very unstable. Which is why you won't find any mobile computer with the number of customizable BIOS features that you would in a desktop. Plus, if you have an ASUS motherboard, it sounds like you built your own desktop system. So, you had to be able to customize the BIOS for the specific peripeherals you incorporated. With mobile units, the system is alredy built. And, you definitely do not want to overclock your processor on a mobile unit. The thermal characteristics are designed for that particular CPY combination and it is a very delicate balance. Basically, messing with these types of things inevitably leads to unfortunate thermal events. And, then you have no computer.

Hope this helps

Biosdude~ BIOS engineer with Phoenix Technology

The SPD chip is on the SODIMM and it communicates with the BIOS. The memory reference code uses the info from the SPD and sets everything to optimum performance.  So, it is done automatically for you and you don't need to worry about it.  You will not really see any significant performance enhancement by changing the RAM if you already have that style of memory. If you have not maxed out the amount of RAM, adding more would be more beneficial.  The thing to remember is that every component on you laptop has different speeds. If you are working from your hard drive, the rate that the data transfers is your bottleneck. If you are working on-line the speed of your ISP is a critical factor. A fast CPU and at least 1 meg of RAM never hurts!

Laptops are pretty tricky, which is why most people won't even upgrade moptherboards and CPUS. Adding more RAM is no big deal. Unless you really understand the intricacies of the mobile platforms, you might be happier not trying to customize the one you have too much. Nothing worse than having an expensive paperweight! lol

Hey BIOSDUDE, so my problem is over, huh? So isn't there anything like a (SPD) set in the BIOS or Motherboard that will only allow the timings for the original system? I can just get a SODIMM with shorter latency and not worry about it? It will load the timings from the new module and set it automatically in the BIOS?

Great, that sure helps.
thanks

BiosDude, That sounds good. I have a SODDIM now with 3 different timing settings but the best performance of the 3 is set in the BIOS. Like you say, the SPD might have set it for the best performance in the BIOS. Your information makes sense. But then it confronts to what "Ed C" has posted.

But let me state that I had just spoken with the Kingston Tech Support, and the information they have REALLY confronts what BIOSdude said. they'd told me that the SPD is a thing that doesn't let me change the timings for the SODIMM (so the module comes with only a specific timing), that way if I could change the timings myself in the BIOS (and I've been told I could do it easily) it wouldn't work. That sounds wrong, as you guys are saying that no SODIMM can be configured in the BIOS, just like in my Phoenix A09 BIOS for the I6000.

But it doesn't end here, I'd been told as well that there's a SPD chip in the motherboard that comunicates with the SPD in the SODIMM, and they both must be in the same memory timings. So basically I was told that if I could change the settings in the BIOS, it wouldn't work as the settings in the SODIMM is the one that counts. I didn't get this wrong as I asked many times over the phone.

In the end I heard that they manufacture specific modules for the I6000 series, and that this specific modules had the right SPD programming, so I'd be taking a risk getting another SODDIMM. it seems nonsense to me, now they are going to restrict the options of the SODIMM I want? It's only good for them.

I like the story BIOSdude told me better, it is much clever and best for me (maybe that's why I like it, hehe), but if the information from Kingston is nonsense, it's not rare to hear it from Big Manufacturer's tech support from time to time...

So BIOSdude, you're from Phoenix technologies, I wasted a good time trying to reach them to clarify me about this Issue, and I simply found no contacts online, I'm glad I found you here to help me...

But I'm sorry to say I still need reinforcement about the SPD issue, (it's never too much) is it something that creates conflit if not bought specifically for your system? Do I have to get the one Kingston recomended me?

Thanks a bunch.

ps. oh yes, I'm upgrading to put as much memory as I can get, and I 'm enjoying the time to put the best I can as well, with the shortest latency available. I always heard that shorter latency memory is always better, and it never hurts your desktop system. I don't see much sense that it should be different in the laptop world.

OK.  Here's how it works.  The MRC (Memory Reference Code), which is supplied by the North Bridge manufacturer, has a set of timing tables built in for the various FSB (Front Side Bus) speeds, latency timings, rank size, etc...  During initilization, the MRC talks to the SODIMM SPD chip which is nothing more then a chunk of stoarge hanging off the SmBus.  The SPD contains the SODIMM characteristics such as the latency, ODT (On Die Termination), etc...  The MRC does a lookup in the tables for a valid combination and then loads the table values into the North Bridge.  These are the validated setting from the North Bridge manufacturer.  Some desktop manufacturers allow you to override these validated settings inside setup.  If you create a non-booting desktop, it's no big deal to crack the case and clear the CMOS to regain a working box.  If the laptop is non-booting, then it's not so easy to crack the case to clear the CMOS to regain a working box.  In fact, some BIOSes actually store the North Bridge setting in the flash part instead of CMOS.  This makes clearing those settings even more exciting in a non-booting system!  So, if you're going to be swapping out the SODIMMs, you need to check with the BIOS vendor (DELL) to find out what SODIMM latency and rank size is supported by the BIOS.  The reason I say DELL, is that although it is a BIOS based off a Phoenix core, it is heavily customized by DELL.  So it is possible that the North Bridge manufacturer has validated settings for 3 CL SODIMMs, but DELL ripped it out for size concerns in the flash part and only supports 5 CL SODIMMs.  Hopefully I haven't given you too much detail and lost you in the nitty-gritty, but you seemed to have a grasp on the basics.  So in a nut shell, just stuff in as much memory as you can of the CL that DELL recommends.

PS - Trying to get a hold of a live BIOS engineer online is next to impossible if you don't have a direct email address within the company.  All support calls get routed thru our call center.

I see, my north Bridge chipset is Intel's 915GM, it supports CL3, the BIOS is the A09 from Phoenix to the Dell Inspiron 6000 system. So phoenix might have enable CL3 support like Intel does, but Dell might have ripped it off. So they are the Boss, and they are the ones to tell me. If only they could simply reply me about my questions, or given the info in a manual or something, oh dear.

Anyway, I'm seeing that the standard for the 533Mhz DDR2 SODIMM I have now is CL4. My current SODIMM is CL4, I'm looking for a lower and I'm having a hard time finding it. It's possible that it's not supported and not available from the marketing standard yet. And I guess it can be in the future and I'll have to upgrade the BIOS to install the new SODIMM...

I'm not confused after all I guess, Thanks a lot, I think you've cleared out everything for me. I didn't get what you meant by "non-booting systems" and "working box", but whatever...

cheers

I really hate to say it but your concern and need for faster RAM is MOOT. You WILL NOT see any faster performance with "SLIGHTLY" faster RAM. You have carried on for 2 pages of posts on a point that is totally MOOT. Give it up. Just install the max amount of RAM, of the correct type and speed, and be done with it. You are NOT buying or driving a Ferrari.

OK I'm done. Have a nice day.

Thanks for the information. But why are you being rude? if I'm here is because I do not know about it and I want to learn, if you're not enjoying having to explain stuff, please, give it up wasting your time, it's not good for anyone, you don't need to do it, I'm not asking you. I really enjoyed getting to know deeply about this issue, I like to find out how things work, who are you to say whether I should do this or not? I decide whether I should waste my time before getting over with it or not. It's my business, mind your own please. Thanks for the information again, but I'm actually done over this issue. now consider managing this atitude problem of yours in another way, I'm sorry but I ain't got nothing to do with it.