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    Some RAM - Video Card questions on 9100?

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by pwagle, Apr 27, 2004.

  1. pwagle

    pwagle Newbie

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    Looking to order a 9100 today before offers expire. Want to opt for the 256mb (2 dimms) non-upgrade when ordering, then get rid of them for a single Crucial 512mb module ($140). Will this be ok? Or do I need both banks filled with matching modules of 256? Or can I even keep one of the 128mb modules that will come stock from Dell and have it run alongside the Crucial 512mb module for a 640mb total? I'm favoring not. Not familiar with this type motherboard config...desktop guy going laptop replacement.

    64 MB or 128MB Radeon 9700? To be honest, I'm an old fashioned gamer...CS/Q3...will dabble obviously in the newer stuff, but not hardcore. Is the extra 64mb truly a necessity in next generation games, even with the quicker 72k HD I've selected? How about AutoCAD with a variety of 3d intense plugins/modules? I do like to look forward, so I may very well opt 128mb.

    I'm an engineering student who needs power for both cpu intense math/3d apps and some gaming. Want this to last through grad school (2yr) and a few after that.

    P4 3.0ghz
    SXGA+
    256mb (2dimm) - upgrade later to Crucial single 512mb? Then eventually to 1gig when more money rolls in...
    128 or 64mb Radeon - can't decide here?
    XP Pro
    60gb 7200rpm
    4x DVD Burner
    1350 Wireless b/g (campus is wireless...woot)
    etc



     
    pwagle, Apr 27, 2004
    #1
  2. Animasaki

    Animasaki Notebook Enthusiast

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    Good questions, I'll give it a shot.

    It will run on either one or two sticks, but I would recommend leaving in the 128MB along with the new 512MB stick (that's what I'm doing.) That way you'll get dual-channel, and have a bit more memory (at a small cost to battery life.) Obviously once you upgrade to 1GB, it'll be a moot point anyway.

    Also, I would recommend the 128MB Radeon over the 64MB pretty strongly. It makes a big difference in recent games (Halo, Rainbow Six 3, Unreal Tournament 2004, etc.), and even though you'll only be dabbling in them, it's definitely worth it. I can't talk for AutoCAD and its ilk, but I can't imagine the 128MB upgrade to do anything but help that.

    If I may make another suggestion, you might want to think about getting the 802.11 a/b/g wireless card instead of the 802.11 b/g. It's only $20 more, and it'll allow you to connect to more recent routers. I'd hate to not be able to connect somewhere because I didn't spend the extra $20. :)

    Hope that helped.


    [​IMG]
    DESKTOP: 6150 3DMark03
    Home-built
    Athlon XP 3000+
    1GB RAM
    Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB
    LAPTOP: 3DMark03 Score Soon
    Dell 9100
    Pentium4 3.2Ghz
    512MB RAM
    Radeon 9700 128MB
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 6, 2015
    Animasaki, Apr 27, 2004
    #2
  3. bootleg2go

    bootleg2go Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    You can still connect to 802.11G routers as they are all backwards compatible and will run 802.11b. In fact they are a bargain as you won't notice the difference unless your on a local network going from computer to computer, when connected to the internet even 802.11b is fast enough unless you have a connection faster than 4Mbits/sec and at that point the server on the other end may not even feed the data to you that fast.

    It's just an extra $20 in their pocket that won't give you any performce increase.

    Jack
     
    bootleg2go, Apr 27, 2004
    #3
  4. Animasaki

    Animasaki Notebook Enthusiast

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    Oops, hehe...

    [​IMG]
    DESKTOP: 6150 3DMark03
    Home-built
    Athlon XP 3000+
    1GB RAM
    Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB
    LAPTOP: 3DMark03 Score Soon
    Dell 9100
    Pentium4 3.2Ghz
    512MB RAM
    Radeon 9700 128MB
    AUDIO:
    Yamaha RX-V430 Reciever
    Twin Floor-Standing NS-555s
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 6, 2015
    Animasaki, Apr 27, 2004
    #4
  5. pwagle

    pwagle Newbie

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    Placed order today for following:

    P4 HT 3.0ghz
    WSXGA+ (hopefully a Samsung)
    256mb DDR 400
    128 Radeon 9700
    XP Pro
    60gb 7200rpm
    4x DVD Burner/CDR-RW combo
    1350 Wireless b/g
    1yr limited warranty (I'm a gambler)

    $1705 shipped...sweet!

    Will dump one of the 128mb RAM modules for a 512mb Crucial =640mb total RAM

    Excited to see my first laptop rip my desktop and engineering design/math apps a new one.

    Thanks for all those on this site for helping shape views from personal experiences.

    I've always built my own systems...can anyone tell me if Dell supplies an actual Win XP Pro disc (real deal OEM) or is it some cheezeball restore cd? If the latter, I'm going to kick myself.
     
    pwagle, Apr 27, 2004
    #5
  6. zachavm

    zachavm Newbie

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    How are you getting such a cheap 9100. I use the educational discount, and I even use the preconfiguered discounts. But I can't get close to that!

    Anyone out there, please tell me how to get the best deal.


    Zach
     
    zachavm, Apr 27, 2004
    #6
  7. pwagle

    pwagle Newbie

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    Coupon Code: DCJJMW8SS2DW0B
    10% off the online purchase of a new Dell Inspiron Notebook $999 or more (before tax and shipping) in Dell Home.


    Got it through Dell Home...cheaper than education discount offered (I'm at UC San Diego btw).

    Hurry it up...discount expires tonight at midnight.

     
    pwagle, Apr 28, 2004
    #7
  8. zachavm

    zachavm Newbie

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    where did you get the cuppon code from. I probably won't be able to buy tonight.

    Zach
     
    zachavm, Apr 28, 2004
    #8
  9. pwagle

    pwagle Newbie

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    http://www.dailyedeals.com/free_online_coupons/dellg.htm
     
    pwagle, Apr 28, 2004
    #9
  10. Animasaki

    Animasaki Notebook Enthusiast

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    pwagle: I'm glad we were able to help. I'm getting my 9100 today, so I'll be able to tell you whether you get a restore CD or the OEM XP Pro. I'm a custom builder as well, and I'm hoping for the OEM.

    [​IMG]
    DESKTOP: 6150 3DMark03
    Home-built
    Athlon XP 3000+
    1GB RAM
    Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB
    LAPTOP: 3DMark03 Score Soon
    Dell 9100
    Pentium4 3.2Ghz
    512MB RAM
    Radeon 9700 128MB
    AUDIO:
    Yamaha RX-V430 Reciever
    Twin Floor-Standing NS-555s
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 6, 2015
    Animasaki, Apr 28, 2004
    #10