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    Inspiron 5100, maximum RAM and HD upgrade questions:

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by iblokh, Dec 6, 2007.

  1. iblokh

    iblokh Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ok, I currently have a Dell Inspiron 5100, 2.4ghz P4 with 2x256MB RAM modules and a 40gig 4,200 HD.

    My HD just died, so I'm going to upgrade it and figured I would up the RAM as well - something to tide me over until I can afford a new Laptop. So, two questions:

    1) Maximum memory is noted as 1024MB. However, the Crucial RAM advisory also notes that the maximum RAM for each bank is 512MB. Is that true? Couldn't find anything in the DELL manual. I can get a much better deal on one stick of 1024MB then 2x512.

    2) I'm planning to get a Seagate Momentus laptop drive. Space isn't a huge issue, as I use an external HD for storage. Speed vs price is, as well as heat (not power, since I use this as a desktop replacement). So the old question: 5400 vs 7200. I'm interested in real world performance - not benchmarks - especially in Photoshop, Flash, etc. So far, I've gathered that the difference will be small, only when booting or starting a program, not really during operation.

    Thanks.
     
    iblokh, Dec 6, 2007
    #1
  2. Kdawgca

    Kdawgca rotaredoM repudrepuS RBN

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    Kdawgca, Dec 6, 2007
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