Possible upgrades to a DELL Inspiron 2650

Trotter

Just wondering, apart from buying a second 256 RAM chip, or throwing out the existing 256 chip and replacing it with a 512MB chip, is there anything else that I could upgrade on my laptop??

The details are below, (taken from a crucial.com scan). Storage wise, Ive a 30GB HD which is enough for me.


Computer Manufacturer
Dell
Computer Model
Inspiron 2650 Series
CPU Manufacturer
GenuineIntel
CPU Family
Mobile Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 - M CPU 1.80GHz
CPU Speed
1794 MHz
Front-Side Bus Speed
100 MHz
Currently Installed Memory
256MB
Maximum Memory Capacity
512MB
Total Number Of Memory Slots
2
Available Memory Slots
1


Would another 256MB chip actually make a noticeable difference?
Cheers,
Trotter

sceptre

Trotter wrote:

Would another 256MB chip actually make a noticeable difference?

Probably. A bit. Depends on what you're using it for. It'll only cost about 40 euros to find out if you buy from the likes of shop4memory or crucial. At that price, I certainly would.

is there anything else that I could upgrade on my laptop??

Not if you're happy with your HD size.

or throwing out the existing 256 chip and replacing it with a 512MB chip

Not an option - you're limited to two 256 chips as a max in that machine so that's the only option you've got. Besides, adding a 256 is significantly cheaper than throwing what you have in the bin for no particular reason and starting from scratch.

Buy the thing. Cheap as, er, chips.

SouperComputer

A faster HD (maybe 7200RPM) is always a nice tune up. Faster boots, faster starting apps and also less sluggish when you eat into your swopfile.

Only problem is heat dissapation.

An extra 256 with windows XP benefits most people these days. Have an occasional look at task manager under normal usage and see how much RAM you are using ATM

godtabh

http://www.bay-wolf.com/

This site does all of support for dell laptops. Has every laptop made by Dell in the last few years and what you can and cant do with them.

Tells you how to upgrade what you can upgrade with etc.

You can even email the site (with a decent request) and he replies fairly fast

Trotter

Thanks for the info!
Is it true that it'd make a much better difference to buy a 512 chip, and throw out my existing 256 chip?

i.e. A single 512 chip is much better than 2x 256mb??

SouperComputer

Trotter wrote:

i.e. A single 512 chip is much better than 2x 256mb??

shouldn't be, they are running on the same bus anyway. However, the new 512 might have better latency. TBH, its gain, at best, is marginal in your case.

Trotter

SouperComputer wrote:

shouldn't be, they are running on the same bus anyway. However, the new 512 might have better latency. TBH, its gain, at best, is marginal in your case.

The gain of having an extra 256 RAM or the gain of having 1 512 chip over 2 x 256 is marginal in my case?


Anyways, Ive just ordered a 256 chip from crucial.com. I'll let ya know if theres much difference!

SouperComputer

basically if you have 512, you have 512. Regardless.

post up how you get on.