If I buy an m15x right now...RAM question

I will choose 1GB RAM. I want either 3 or 4 GB after upgrading.

Do they put in 2x512 sticks or 1x1GB stick? And if 2x512, do i just remove those 2x512 and stick in my new 2x2GB to get 4GB RAM, or do I need to keep one of the original sticks (don't know why you would, assuming it's like a desktop).

Thanks,

BTW, I'm waiting on the black skullcap or price drop to compete with Montevina...

 

I think that when you choose 1 GB , they place 2x512MB of RAM.
You can get 4GB for less than 90$ from newegg,make sure it's DDR2 and 200 pin.
Look here : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...60381+1052910525+1309121118&name=4GB+(2+x+2GB)

 

i would think it would be 2x512 as both slots have to be filled. just take them out and buy 2x2gb sticks of the net for a lot lot cheaper tha AW

dont forget if you are getting the 32bit vista it will only see 3.06gb

 

for the record, all AW's RAM options are dual channel, which really sucks if you're in it to upgrade.

 

Does dual channel really make a difference in performance?

 

I think the benefits have been lessening over time such that it isn't a huge difference now, but I'm sorta getting out of my league here.

 

Sorry if this seems condescending, but I have to ask: RESmonkey, have you actually read the other posts here, why would you get one?

Can you try to make me understand why you will be a faulty product?

 

Because just because a lot of people here are having problems doesn't mean everyone is having problems.
People rarely come to forums to say "I recieved a perfect product and I am happy with it", they come to forums to complain.
Also the main issues I see people complaining about is a "cheap" feel and a creaky screen(OMG!!!). I will wait till I get my hands on my own m15x before I pass judgement, if it has any real problems I can always return it.

 

Listen to this: http://sfif.net/1.wma ("*NEW* Listen to me opening my M15X screen lid" from crystak)
And your sarcastic omg will turn into a real one!

 

It heats up really bad ( yes even with new bios, it might not downclock but 90+...
though the case ( inside is stiff) the plastic on the outside is not, thus the cracks etc
have you heard, seen the wobbly screen

 

again guys, it's hit and miss. Yes he might get a lemon but then yes he might get a flawless system.

 

Sorry but it doesn't sound that bad to me,its not very nice, but no reason to not get the laptop, many laptops creak when you open a lid, I will admit that is louder than most though.

 

If you are any kind of Ram overclocker then get the RAM from Alienware, much more overclockability than aftermarket ram, but i dont think you are gonna overclock your ram, so go get it from Newegg

 

When I was looking into the m15x, people told me that they only offer 32 bit vista, even ultimate is 32 bit, because they're drivers and software is 32 bit capable, but not 64 bit capable.

Have they since changed this? Am I crazy?

 

yer also a discreet sound recording does not really give much info... if i put a mic close enough to any movement or vibration thing u can get some horible sounds. and the Static in that mic is horible sounds like abit of mic boost 1 taking place which does not really give it creditability.

 

SP1 vista should show the full 4gigs... but only use 3.5gigs ... i am told

 

when you get Ultimate (other Vista versions too?) you're allowed to install both the 32bit and 64bit versions, so even though AW may not provide you with the 64bit disc, if you can obtain it (in various ways...) then you are legally allowed to install and use it because the right to use the 64bit version is included with your purchase.

however, what you will have the biggest problem with atm is the fact that AW's programs like command centre do not work on 64bit Vista.

 

Yes, SP1 will SHOW 4gb of RAM if you have it installed... but this does NOT mean that the addressing and allocation of that memory has changed one bit. Vista 32 earmarks a big chunk of your RAM for memory mapping of things like big fat video cards. So, whether it says 3.2gb or 4.0gb, it's really the same. Msft. just changed the way it displays, hoping we'd all stop complaining.

 

Yeah that's what I meant. Does not being able to use AW's programs make life difficult and painful? Or is it something we could live with?

 

well, understand that you could dual-boot to a 32bit OS (XP/Vista) and a 64bit OS. The AlienFX will still light up according to your previous settings in a 64bit OS (or any OS other than vista or xp, e.g. linux), so what you could do is keep 32bit Vista or XP just as a shell to allow you to run the Command Centre software and change the lights when you want to.

but probably the biggest loss is that you'll lose touch control and Fn key functionality. Unlike a lot of laptops the touch controls/Fn keys are tied to a program which is constantly running in the background, so if you can't run the program you can't use the key combos. The main ones you will lose would be the CD eject, volume slider, stealth mode, ability to disable/enable wireless/bluetooth, and brightness up/down buttons. Those aren't huge losses, but it really depends on your personal use patterns (stealth mode is probably a big loss).

 

yeah, they should really let you run/control stealth mode from a tray-icon...

 

they really should, but in this case it still wouldn't change anything. They would still have to develop that program in 64bit, but then heck, while they're at it, why not do all of the Command Centre in 64bit! but since they don't want to do the latter (at least, not yet) they probably won't do the former (at least, in 64 bit -- they should still make that tray icon program in general).