Is it hard to upgrade M1330 memory by yourself?

Hi, I'm debating whether to buy the M1330 with 2 gb or 1gb or RAM to save money. After chatting to a Dell rep online, he told me that one of the memory slots is under the keyboard and the other is on the back of the computer.

So he advised that it might be difficult for me to upgrade myself. Should I pay the extra $125 for that extra 1gb or just do it myself??

 

WRONG!!! Both memory slots are under neath.

Unscrew 5 screws, remove cover, unclip x 2 modules, clip new one in times 2, put cover on, replace screws and voila!!

Hes looking for the bigger sale.

 

Oh really? Ok then, I'll plan to buy the 1gb ram.

And a side question, will it not work as well if it comes with 512mb x 2 ram, and I upgrade one of those to a 2gb ram, resulting in a 512mb and a 2gb to a toal of 2.5gb ram?

I've heard it's better if both slots have the same quantity of RAM...

 

You will be fine if you run a 2 GB and a 512MB stick. Depending on speed,timing, etc, you may lose dual channel if running unequal sizes, but that's only about a 5% difference. You'll notice the increased speed due to more memory, not anything else unless you bench the computer.

 

It's slightly better, but there's absolutely nothing wrong with not running matched pairs. Everyone makes such a big deal about dual channel, but it's only a 2-3% performance increase, and that's in memory intensive tasks.

So go for the 2.5gb of ram, it will run absolutely fine and you will not notice any difference.

 

Thanks guys, what is a reasonable price for a 2GB ram for the 1330?

 

$150 i think

 

No no no, you can easily get one for under 90 bux thru online retailers.

 

I can buy 2GB of Patriot memory for less than $50 ... is there a quality difference that I should care about? heating etc?

 

Buy 1GB (i.e., 2x512MB) memory from Dell and buy 4GB(i.e., 2x2GB) memory from here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820208341 for around $100

Here is a step-by-step guide to remove and replace the DIMM Memory Module:

Removing the DIMM Memory Module:

1. Turn off the computer.

2. Remove the battery from the battery bay, and disconnect the AC adapter from your computer to the electrical outlet.

3. Turn the computer over and loosen the three captive screws along with the M2.5 x 5-mm screw. Remove the module cover.



1. M2.5 x 5-mm Screw - 2. Captive Screws (3) - 3. Module Cover

4.Use your fingertips to carefully spread apart the securing clips on each end of the memory module connector until the module pops up.

5. Remove the module from the connector.



1. Upper Memory Module Connector - 2. Securing Clips (2) - 3. Memory Module

Replacing the DIMM Memory Module:

1. Align the notch in the module edge connector with the tab in the connector slot.

2. Slide the module firmly into the slot at a 45-degree angle, and rotate the module down until it clicks into place. If you do not feel the click, remove the module and reinstall it.



1. Tab - 2. Notch

3. Replace the module cover.

4. Insert the battery into the battery bay, or connect the AC adapter to your computer and an electrical outlet.

5. Turn on the computer.

Note: The DIMM 2 memory module is located directly above the DIMM 1 memory module located on the bottom of the computer.

Source: Dell - Link: http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/xpsM1330/en/SM/html/memory.htm#wp1180190

 

Wouldn't it be easier to just point to the M1330 reference manual?
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/xpsm1330/en/om/RW4910P.pdf

In general, you should provide links to the relevant information as well as provide acknowledgments where applicable.

-LQ

 

I usually provide links and acknowledge the sources. In this case, I was e-mailing the same information to my friend who cannot access websites at his office. It was a quick copy and paste from my e-mail.

Here is the direct HTML link: http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/xpsM1330/en/SM/html/memory.htm#wp1180190

 

If you want to give the rep the benefit of the doubt, the M1210, its predecessor, does have one slot under the keyboard, as I found out to my annoyance while putting 4 GB in for a friend.

The M1330 has both right on the underside of the laptop. Dell is still too expensive on RAM to buy more than the minimum unless you really don't have the time or would otherwise have to pay a techie to do it for you.

 

tag: love that post sinstoic

 

Thanks for your support. You've made my day!

 

I would click on your rep thingy, but (1) asking for rep is in bad taste and (2) you just copied that stuff directly from another source. No work, no rep.

 

so if anyone has upgraded the memory on a 1330 how hard is it do to from 1-5?

i know changing the hard drive on the 1330 is just about the easiest thing u can do

 

1. Oh! I wasn't aware of it. I also didn't find the NotebookReview Forum's Reputation policy, so this must be an unwritten rule.
2. It isn't a direct copy, there are some slight modifications. Nevertheless, source and link are duly mentioned.

I am also removing the request for reputation from all my threads.

Happy Holidays!

 

quick question

if you get the 1gb ram from dell and decide to upgrade yourself
can you take out BOTH 512 sticks and put in whatever you want? or do you need 1 of the sticks dell provided to be in there?

 

you can put whatever you want

 

what kind of ram does the m1330 have?

http://shop1.outpost.com/product/5175606

would that be ok?


EDIT:
nvm found it:
DDR2 PC2-6400,DDR2 PC2-5300

 

200-Pin SO-DIMM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300)

 

Here is one I am getting, http://shop1.outpost.com/product/5284717?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

 

You will be overpaying if you get PC2-6400 which I believe is automatically clocked down to the lower speed in the M1330 (PC2-5300).

Unless you are buying another laptop soon and plan to transfer these RAM modules there..

 

I'll keep that in mind but 40$ seems pretty affordable for a 2gb DIMM

 

$40 for PC2-6300? That sounds great.. I personally care of the manufacturer of the RAM too.. I use Crucial which is a brand that I have heard good things about in terms of reliability.. I bought 4GB 2x2GB for $119 with shipping etc... Newegg was a pleasure to work with.

 

Hi, I had heard that memory is tricky to upgrade with Dell because the machines are finicky in terms of what replacement ram they will accept. The Corsair ram that was mentioned seems to run with this machine according to the Corsair site. What other ram might "play well" with this machine? Mushkin, Ocz, etc.? Thanks, Yasmine

 

I use crucial. Works very well.

 

Thanks for that reassurance . Has anyone tried Mushkin 991505? Much thanks, Yasmine

 

On a scale from 1-5? I'd give it a 1 (very easy). However, the first time I did it I was extremely nervous and it felt a whole lot harder than it truly was. After that, no problem at all.

I would highly recommend getting a precision screwdriver (I can't remember the correct size you'd need). The screwing/unscrewing process becomes much easier and you won't strip your screws. Plus, they only cost 3-4 bucks.

 

does it matter which stick you replace? the top or the bottom?

 

i have the 2x512mb sticks currently and i have a 1x2gb stick waiting to be installed, but which slot do i stick it in...does it matter?

do i put it in dimm1 (the bottom one) or dimm2 (the top one)

 

just a heads up, I just replaced the memory with some cheap transcend memory (2x2GB for $35 ea.), first time you boot up with the new memory takes a long time, do NOT freak out like I did. lol