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Upgrading the RAM on an XPS

  • 09-01-2009 3:11pm
    #1
    Dartz
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,407 ✭✭✭


    I've been browsing the Dell website, and I notice they're now offering up to 8GB of 800Mhz memory for the XPS1530. Have they changed the chipset or what? The way I understood it, Santa Rosa chipset used could only handle 4GB at 667 Mhz. If I installed 800Mhz RAM, wouldn't it just downclock to 667 then?

    It's just that the processer I use, has an 800Mhz FSB, so If I can get the RAM to run at that, it'll run more efficiently. As it is though, I don't think it's possible. So why is Dell offering 4GB at 800?

    I know Rock did something similar with one of their Pegasus models a while back, offerring 4GB of 667, or for an extra £30, 4GB of 800, and it used the same Santa Rosa platform as the XPS. (Rock went bust though shortly afterwards).

    It's either that, or an SSD.


Comments

  • #2
    Voodu Child
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,706 ✭✭✭Voodu Child


    The Santa Rosa platfom supports up to 8Gb ram, and a recent BIOS update on most of the models has enabled this. Obviously you'll need a 64-bit OS. And 4Gb sticks are still damn expensive.

    The SR platform only supports 667Mhz ram, so if you use 800Mhz it will downclock to 667 (and work fine). Im not sure why they'd offer 800Mhz on their store, probably just to standardise stocks.


  • #3
    Dartz
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,407 ✭✭✭Dartz


    That's pretty much what I thought alright. I was getting 2 different answers from Google, and an answer in between that.

    Anyway, if I'm putting Windows 7 on this thing when that comes out, I'll probably pick up the 64 bit edition and upgrade the RAM while I'm at it. No real use mucking around with that now. 8GB of RAM on a laptop. It seems pretty useless, come to think of it. I've *used* 4GB once or twice... once in work when I had 5VM's running at once to check a piece of software. Otherwise I've never seen it go above 1 without there being a problem. I was only going to bother if I could get the speed increase out of it, otherwise there's no real point.

    4Gig really is more than enough right now, especially with the Dual channel making a notable difference. If I was sticking 4GB modules in, I'd have to buy both to match...

    EDIT: Komplett only offer 2x2GB anyway, so it'd be Dell RAM I'd have to order, and that would be pricy.


  • #4
    Voodu Child
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,706 ✭✭✭Voodu Child


    Yeah, I would spend the money on a SSD instead. Although I would wait for another generation or two.

    Looking forward to popping a 500Gb 7200rpm drive in mine, Seagate have one that should be released in a couple of weeks or less.


  • #5
    Dartz
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,407 ✭✭✭Dartz


    Nice....

    The only problem with that being how inconveniant it would be to loose the stuff I have on this one. It's all set-up and is just comfy for me. I really wouldnt change the drive unless it head-crashed or there was a justifiable benefit. I've been reading good things about solid state drives alright. But yeah, maybe wait a generation or two.

    I don't actually need 500Gb drive... most of my stuff is actually on a NAS at home... But I'd find a home for 120GB solid state alright. If only it wasnt 300-odd euro at Komnplett.


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