Inspirion 6400 - RAM Upgrade

Question

Hello all, I have been searching for a few days to find a concrete answer, but them seems to be some serious conflicting views on the matter. I want to upgrade my Inspirion 6400 from 2GB to 4GB Ram and wonder if this is possible. I have just ordered Window 7 and plan to intall the 64 bit edition. Current System Specs: Model: MM061 Processor:  Intel (R) Core(TM) 2 CPU  T7400 @ 2.16Ghz Bios Version: A17 Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon X1400   I have read in some places that you can install 4GB even though on the Dell suport website it says that 2GB is the max. Some posts have said that only 3.25GB will be useable, others have pointed out that this is not the case when using 64 bit version of windows.  Then there are others who have said that even with Win 7 64 bit edition, you will still not be able to use the full 4GB.  And finally, there are a select few who say yes you can use the full 4 GB if you do something called 'Memory remapping (or something similiar). Any help would be great! Thanks

ieee488 · Answer

www.crucial.com is the place to go for RAM

It is true that with Windows XP, only 3GB is useable. With Win7 64bit, you can max out your RAM

However, you should run Microsoft's Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor to see what limitations you will encounter.

ejn63 · Answer

It may be possible to install 4G, but the specs say 2 -- so, no vendor will guarantee 4G to work.

The chipset in the 6400 is too old to support memory remapping -- the Intel 965 is the oldest one that does, among mobile chipsets - so even with a 64-bit OS, you will not see all 4G available for use by the operating system. There's no way around that - if you get 4G to work, you'll see about 3.2 G total with this model.

ejn63 · Answer

Yes, the 945 is one generation older - it does not support memory remapping. If you're happy with Vista's performance I wouldn't bother with 7 -- it's just not that much of an upgrade from Vista. If you're looking for somewhat better performance, 7 may help - otherwise, you'll actually be sacrificing some features to drop from Vista Ultimate to Premium 7. In 2G, it makes no sense to use the 64-bit version. 32 is fine.

Bear in mind that Microsoft doesn't allow you to transfer licenses of 7 - once you install it on this notebook, you will not be able to use it on a future system, if that's a consideration.

Hazaa · Answer

The chipset in the 6400 is too old to support memory remapping -- the Intel 965 is the oldest one that does, among mobile chipsets - so even with a 64-bit OS, you will not see all 4G available for use by the operating system. There's no way around that - if you get 4G to work, you'll see about 3.2 G total with this model.

Thank you for your prompt response.

The chipset I have is 945GM, not being overly familiar with these things, I'm guessing that is older that 965?

I am now thinking of staying with my 2GB setup (as it doesn't seem worth risking the upgrade just for an extra 1.2GB and going against what the recommended is). However a few question.

If I stay with 2GB, is it worth upgrading from Vista Ultimate to Windows 7 Home Premium?

If i do upgrade the O/S, should I do a 32 bit or 64 bit installation of Win 7?

Once again, Many Thanks

Hazaa · Answer

What features will I be sacrificing?

I am in two minds about Win7, I'm happy with Vista, but there are a few little things that bug me, which I hope have been resolved in 7.

From what I've read Win7 runs more efficent than Vista (i.e. will run quicker on my current setup than Vista does)

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