What RAM do i need to purchase

Im looking on tiger direct at RAM. I have a M1530 and I only have 2gb of RAM and would like more to make it future proof.

This is whats in it..Module,Dual In-line Memory Module,2GB,667MHZ,2X1GB,512

 

Because its 2X1GB i have to toss those modules if i upgrade? Cause its only got 2 slots correct

 

If you like Tiger Direct, this looks like a good deal.

Yes, you only have 2 slots, so the old RAM won't be used.

 

I am looking for a 2gb. because I have the 32 bit version of vista

 

The least expensive 2 GB module currently listed on Tiger Direct is $20, so you might as well get the 4GB so that you'll be all filled up in case you ever switch to a 64 bit OS. For an extra $5 ($15 before the rebate), it's worth it.

 

K thanks man, you get rep

 

Hi guys, i m also wondering to upgrade my ram 2gb to 4gb. but my OS is vista ultimate 32bit. don't u think that it will b working with 4gb ram. my processor is Core 2 duo 2.5Ghz.

 

With 32-bit, your computer won't access the full 4GB. It will only access around 3.2GB. The computer will operate fine with 4GB, but just won't use anything beyond what Windows can access.

 

what r u saying? r u sure about that? i have seen on this forum that lot of peoples are having 4gb ram since long while xps m1530 was supporting 64 bit since a couple of months. so how come people were using 4gb.

i also have checked on the compatibility list and it says that it will support 4gb ram and 8gb will b supported for 64bit OS. my system is quiet new. i have got it delivered at the beginning of this month.

 

Vista 32 supports a maximum of 4Gb total memory. Vista 64 will run more then 4 GB of ram, but the boards (because of the 965 chipset) will only run 8Gb. This total includes video card ram, i.e., you have a 256 MB so Windows will only recognize approx 3.5Gb of 4Gb installed ram (due to address space).

Microsoft




-------------------------------------------------------------------------

You can run 4Gb, but the laptop will only utilize (with the 256Mb of video ram) about 3.5-ish Gb, so it is still worth getting 2x2Gb sticks. I would recommend these G.Skill 2x2Gb CAS 4 since the board will run the tighter timings (I am currently running them in my M1530):

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Laptop Memory

 

Read here and here.

 

thanks for ur quick replying. so how come dell offer 4gb ram with their system. anyways, i m living in UK. I have searched in ebay.co.uk and found a corsair ram which is really a good deal. if u could have a look on that and let me knw if it would b good or not, i would b grateful. item number is 270318799329 but in ebay.co.uk, also there is another one unnameed 270315694315. plz have a look on them.

 

Dell offers 4Gb of ram because you still get 3Gb+, which is better then 2Gb. I've seen OEMs offering 3Gb which is just a 1Gb + 2Gb set. But you lose dual channel that way. Also note that Dell offers Vista 64 with 4Gb and 6Gb of ram.

I just looked them up at Corsair's website:
http://www.corsair.com/products/valueselect/default.aspx

I see no reason why they shouldn't run. TheVS4GSDSKIT667D2 kit is rated the same as the ram you get from dell. They are DDR2 667 5-5-5-15. I would get them.

 

What do u think Gregory. shall i grab them? what about the other one ericeod, 270315694315(ebay.co.uk)

 

I might have just missed it, but I couldn't find a brand or model identifier in the second auction listing. That's a red flag for me.

The first listing looks good though. Corsair is a great company.

 

I agree 100%, the no-name ram isn't a good choice. Stable/reliable ram is a must for PCs. Any instability can (and most often does) result in corrupted files, which leads to a corrupted OS.

OP, I would just stick with the corsair ram.

 

One more question, if i upgrade 2GB to 3GB what would b my choice? i mean shall i buy 1 any 2GB module and replace it with any1 inserted in my RAM slot.

 

You could do that, but I would stick to 2x2Gb for dual channel. If you go to unmatched memory size, it will drop down to single channel mode. That is a personal choice on my part as it does lower the ram's performance slightly.

Here is some reading on dual vs single channel:

*Note this is an old article, but is a good read*
TechConnect: The Battle of the Channel - Dual vs Single

 

The one Gregory suggested is G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) which has Timing 4-4-4-12, but the one i desire(Corsair) to buy is Timings - 5-5-5-15.

now tell me plz which one is more suitable.

 

Which RAM to buy for my system? is it that one u said with Timing 4-4-4-12 or Corsair one but it has got timing 5-5-5-11

 

I don't recall suggesting such RAM... I believe the OCZ RAM I had suggested to the previous poster was 5-5-5-15.

The Corsair RAM looks fine. Personally I'd go with whichever is less expensive.

 

I suggested the G.Skill Cas4 because the board supports it. Tighter timings offer better performance. It is a marginal performance gain, but still a gain none the less.

 

That makes more sense now . The price difference isn't that much, so if you're a gamer (or use other heavy programs) it should be worth it.

 

Whatever, i finally ordered for that Corsair RAM. Just waiting for delivery. anyway guys, do u used mozilla firefox internet browser. i m using v3 one. here i m getting cursor disappearing problem while typing mail or any txt. like this note. i have got 3times cursor disappeared while i was typing this note. then i had to click mouse to get the cursor back. it's sort of annoying. any idea?

 

You should be happy with that ram. As for FireFox, I am using the latest 3.05 without any issues.

 

ericeod, Did u see this topic by niko100 'Upgraded Memory -Performance Question'. i m also worried abt it, if this happens to my system as well. i will feel so sad. to tell u the truth my RAM performance keep my system WEI 5.1. i wanted to upgrade this rating.

 

Yeah I saw it. Its true though that the Vista rating is not very accurate. Despite what the numbers say, having additional ram will increase system performance.

BTW, with 4Gb of ram, I have a memory rating of 5.1.

 

You can put DDR2 800 ram in the xps m1530. Dell ships them with DDR2 667 for some reason, but if your gonna upgrade you might as well go for the faster 800.

 

According to the Intel PM965 Data sheet, " Mobile Intel 965 ExpressChipset Family", Rev 3, dated June 2007, The chipset can only support 533 and 667 ram. In fact, the chipset can only handle an 800 FSB chip (200 MHz effective). So the only benefit DDR2 800 ram will give you is the ability to move the ram to the a mobile P45 chipset laptop you might buy in the future.

 

If you choose more than 4GB of RAM on an XPS computer right now, they come in 800MHz instead of 667. Is it just for show or does the computer actually support higher speed RAM now?

 

The M1530 (and all laptops based on the 965 chipset) will downclock the ram to 667. Only the P45 chipset supports DDR2 800 ram.

 

Hi Gregory,
today i have just got my Corsair RAM delivered. i installed them. now i can see that in vista it shows me 3581mb as u guys said but what about in XP OS. i have got dual boot. so i logged in my XP and found there the RAM is 3.5gb. what about that?

 

I have a question. My xps 1530 comes with 3 gbram. As I read in this forum the difference in ram capacity will influence single or dual chanel or something like that. So my question is: if I let the 2gb ram and remove the 1 gb ram, it means that works dual chanel? and is better to have 2 or 3 gbram

 

Whether Vista or XP, if it's the 32-bit edition you're going to notice that limitation. 3.5 is actually pretty good! My 32-bit XP only recognizes 3.2 or mine.

Dual channel works when you have two matching pairs of RAM installed. So it won't be dual channel with only one module. Also, the benefits you should see from 3GB running in single channel is likely greater than you would with 2GB in dual channel. If you would like to utilize dual channel you need to buy a 2GB module that is similar to the current in specifications.

 

Is there any software that i can know which brand(Make) of RAM is running in my com?

 

I curiously ran the dell diagnosis test and it fails at the end of half test step. why it happened?

 

The easiest thing to do would be to open up the access panel and see what brand/model number is marked on the module. Then look up on the company's website for the specs.

I'm unfamiliar with Dell's testing software, but it looks like one of your memory modules is bad. Follow this guide to test it with memtest86+. Be warned that it takes a long time to complete a full pass of tests, so do it overnight. If even one error is found you should contact Dell for a replacement.

 

but on my system i can see that i have got both of them working fine.Multi Metre(D) also shows me 3581mb RAM installed. if one RAM was faulty, wasn't it show it?

 

Not necessarily. If the RAM has few enough errors, it can continue operating without trouble. If the error is at an often unused portion of the module than it won't present itself until trying to use that spot for the first time, in which it would likely result in a blue screen of death. It's always worth running these tests to be sure. Major brand RAM often comes with a lifetime, and usually hassle-free, replacement guarantee, so it is always beneficial to test it.

 

Thnx a Ton Greg, i have run Dell Diagnostic test with one of the RAM (CORSAIR VS2GSDS667D2; 08495023-0-720482) i have received and it was passed. even with that software 'memtest86+' it passed.

So when i have inserted the other one (CORSAIR VS2GSDS667D2; 08495023-0-720464) for test the machine doesn't even run. i could hear the hard drive spin but there was no screen any more. it was all blank. so it proves that the other 2gb module (CORSAIR VS2GSDS667D2; 08495023-0-720464) is faulty. i m gonna send it back to seller to replace it. Good God, curiously i ran the set up. thus i came to know that one of the RAM i received was faulty.

****Thanks again Greg. u've been helping me a lot.