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    Inte Turbo memory PROLONGS battery life?

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by MacG!ver, Sep 30, 2007.

  1. MacG!ver

    MacG!ver Notebook Consultant

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    I just have a quick question: does an intel turbo memory card pronlong battery life (since it uses the harddrive less)?

    I read that there is little point in buying it if you have over 2GB RAM, but it apparently still increases battery life...fact or fiction?
     
    MacG!ver, Sep 30, 2007
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  2. joebusby

    joebusby Notebook Consultant

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    At the moment, with more than 2GB of RAM, yes - it has little point. I picked one up for £16 from amazon.co.uk, because Intel and Windows have promised improved drivers that make a significant effect upon Battery Life, and Load Times.

    Unfortunately, after I bought it, I realised I had a hybrid hard drive with 384MB cache, so it's effectiveness is reduced slightly.
     
    joebusby, Sep 30, 2007
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  3. MacG!ver

    MacG!ver Notebook Consultant

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    They don't seem to cost much, and if they will soon have a better battery-life effect them I don't see why not.
     
    MacG!ver, Sep 30, 2007
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  4. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    I have seen better battery life with Turbo Memory on board, but the increase is variable. The increase for DVD playback was substantial (>25% more time) with the optical drive playing for about 1 minute in 5 and, I presume, the DVD data cached on the Turbo Memory. If you are working with files that need to read and write the HDD then the benefit will be smaller.

    Anandtech     has a good analysis of Turbo Memory. It is an evolving technology and the next generation of drivers with better algorithms should provide further improvements.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Sep 30, 2007
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