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    Dell and RAM prices

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by Taqwus, Nov 27, 2006.

  1. Taqwus

    Taqwus Notebook Consultant

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    I found this while looking at a D420 laptop
    2.0GBMB DDR2-667 SDRAM, (512MB Integrated) 2 DIMMs [add $755]

    Just wondering what makes this ram so expensive
     
    Taqwus, Nov 27, 2006
    #1
  2. vespoli

    vespoli 402 NBR Reviewer

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    Because one of the DIMM sockets is soldered on-board--the extra dimm is free. To make 2.0 GB, the other DIMM must be a 2.0GB chip, which is really expensive. I'm not sure why it says 2 and not 2.5...but there are no 1.5GB RAM chips (at least to my knowledge)
     
    vespoli, Nov 28, 2006
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  3. rickster

    rickster Notebook Evangelist

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    From Dell's site:

    "Please note: Latitude D420 comes standard with 512MB integrated memory. The Intel 945GMS chipset on the Latitude D420 can support a maximum of 2GB memory and will operate 667MHz memory at 533MHz."

    So it sounds like they just stick a 2gig stick in there and the chipset only supports 2gigs not 2.5gigs. So they disable the integrated ram???

    just fyi, 2gig sticks are expensive, although dell is marking it up...

    Look
     
    rickster, Nov 28, 2006
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  4. vespoli

    vespoli 402 NBR Reviewer

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    I don't know that they "disable" the integrated memory--but I guess that the chipset can only "see/use" 2GB. Windows itself can address something like 3 and a quarter GB.
     
    vespoli, Nov 28, 2006
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  5. booger

    booger Notebook Consultant

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    I bought 2 gigs of Muskin ram for $175. Dell just charges a lot for the suckers. I would double check with them on the built in chip, you might only have one slot. In that case adding 1 gig stick would be the best way to go.
     
    booger, Nov 28, 2006
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  6. Jason

    Jason Overclocker NBR Reviewer

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    Yes, I'm quite sure the chipset / BIOS can only see 2GB's of RAM. But you really have 2.5GB's. Definitely save yourself the money and just go with 1.5GB's of ram... 2GB sticks are crazy expensive right now...
     
    Jason, Nov 28, 2006
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  7. seattle82m

    seattle82m Notebook Enthusiast

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    Is there a real difference between 667MHz and 533? I mean, in speed not in price (in price it's freakin' 100$).
     
    seattle82m, Nov 28, 2006
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