PC2-5300 vs PC2-4200

I have PC2-4200 from my M140, but I'm exchanging it for an E1505. Now my question is, I have 2GB of PC2-4200 already, but the E1505 is compatible with PC2-5300. Is it worth spending an additional $150 for PC2-5300 over my already purchased 2GB of PC2-4200.

Thanks.

 

Don't think so, the E1505 comes with PC2-4200 in lesser configurations. So your should take the PC2-4200 and downshift the FSB to 533MHz; you probably won't notice the difference between 667MHz and 533MHz. Although, some folks have compatibility issues simply based on brand of memory, but if it came out of a Dell it'll probably work in a Dell.

 

Oh, I just noticed in lower configs it uses PC4200, my bad. Okay, so then that should be fine.

Problem is I bought PC4200 for my M140, but since I'm returning it for a E1505 I was about to kick myself cause I could of gone faster.

But now I feel better, thanks.

Wait, so then my FSB will be 533Mhz?

 

yes, FSB clocks to speed of memory. I doubt you'd notice the difference for most normal uses.

I did see some mention on Tom's Hardware that the 667 is better when using shared video memory as on the E1505. However, I doubt it is a big deal in practice and if it was me, I wouldn't find it worth the $150. Don't know what video option you have, but I have an x1400 and I think it'll bottleneck in other places before it touches memory bandwidth. (That's a guess on my part, I have no benchmark or other data to support it or refute it yet.)

 

PC-4200 memory transfers data at 4.2gb/sec, PC-5300 has a memory transfer of 5.3gb/sec...25% more, how much of that do you see..well that's subjective depending on what you're doing. It's never worth upgrading through dell, I ordered mine with 4200, ordered 2gb of 5300 from newegg and am selling my 1gb of 4200.

Jack