XPS 1530 Max Supported RAM Speed

Did a goggle search and couldn't find an answer to "What is the XPS Motherboard Model: Dell Inc. 0D501F max supported RAM speed?"

Using HWiNFO32 it says "DDR2 Frequency Support:333MHz (DDR2-666)". It also reports that the current "Memory Speed: 333.3MHz (PC2-5300)" Ok, so far so good.....

Under SMBIOS DMI -> Memory Devices -> Memory Device both sticks of RAM are listed as "Memory Speed:667MHz" Hmmm....

My receipt from Dell when I ordered it shows "4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms)" OK, whats going on here it looks like my RAM is running at half speed!?

When I go to Dells upgrade site they show 2GB Memory Module for Dell XPS M1530 Laptops Technology: DDR2 SDRAM
Memory Speed: 800MHz ( PC2-6400 )

If it supports up to 800MHz why does the 2 sticks clocked at 666MHz only run at 333MHz?

Since I'm running x64 Vista Ultimate I was wanting to go to a full 8 GB but it looks like the max RAM it supports is 4 GB, or is that max for a x32 OS and since I'm running x64 I can go to 8GB or higher?

 

The M1530 supports a maximum of 4GB DDR2 memory at 333MHz.

DDR2 is "double data rate", meaning that even though the base clock is 333MHz, the effective speed (and then the sticker speed as well) is 666MHz or 667MHz. The M1530 will take 800MHz (effective) memory, but it will only run at 667MHz (effective).

The 4GB is a hard limitation for a 965 chipset. I don't think there's a way around this.

 

Thanks for the reply that answered my questions.

 

M1530 has a max support of 8GB DDR2-667 effective RAM with BIOS A13. Not 4GB max.

4GB is the standard for the M1530, as as with my laptops in my sig. It's not a hard limitation on the 965 and it all depends on BIOS support. This has been explained many times. Both of my 965 rigs are 6 and 8GB respectively.

The M1530 can work up to 8GB RAM.

Fitting a DDR2-800 will have it downclocked to 667MHz effective due to chipset limitation.

 

Hmm, I suppose I put too much faith in Intel's website then...

http://ark.intel.com/chipset.aspx?familyID=28116

Then again, I feel like I've actually heard about 1720s with 6GB and 8GB, so I don't really doubt that you're right on this one.

 

LOL. No worries, there are a few M1530 people on NBR that has 6 and 8GB RAM respectively. Also, in Dell Singapore the M1530 upon configuration has the 4,6 and 8GB options. The question now lies if anybody really needs that 8GB and for what purposes they plan to do with their system.

 

I put 8 GB in my old 1330 at one point in time.. Just for kicks.. There really wasn't any point to it, to be honest..