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    can i add a 1gb ram w/ my 512 dimm?

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by stjoeben, Mar 19, 2006.

  1. stjoeben

    stjoeben Notebook Enthusiast

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    for my 1505 to be delivered 3/28 w 512 ram. or do the sizes (512,1gb,ect) have to be the same?
     
    stjoeben, Mar 19, 2006
    #1
  2. 21st Hermit

    21st Hermit Notebook Consultant

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    If the memory is paired it run dual channel. If not it run single channel. Can't tell you how much performance difference that makes.

    Hermit
     
    21st Hermit, Mar 19, 2006
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  3. ec461

    ec461 Newbie

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    What does that mean? :confused:
     
    ec461, Mar 19, 2006
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  4. nickspohn

    nickspohn Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    What do your exact specs say?

    There could be 1 stick with 512MB RAM (which is $35 more i believe) as opposed to 2 256MB sticks.

    If that is the case (you have 2 slots used up) then you need to remove one stick, and add the size you want.

    What hermit ment is:

    If you have 2 of the same size RAM sticks (2 x 256MB) it is Dual Channel
    If you have 2 of the different size RAM sticks (1 x 256 and 1 x 512MB) it is Single Channel

    Hope this helps
     
    nickspohn, Mar 19, 2006
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  5. Amber

    Amber Notebook Prophet NBR Reviewer

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    Most likely if you got the memory that was included in the orginial price and you didn't make another selection, then you have 1 stick of 512mb.

    You aren't going to do any harm if you run 1gb + 256/512mb. Like hermit said, you won't be utilizing the DDR2 or dual feature of the RAM slots. For most users, you will not notice a difference if you aren't using the dual feature.

    Normal day tasks, internet surfing, etc probably won't notice a difference if you are running 1gb+512 instead of 2*512 (DDR2 feature). If you are a gamer, then it would be best to go with 2 sticks of 1gb each.

    Also, in order to use the dual channel, the ram must be of same size, speed, and type in order to work properly. Doesn't necessarily have to be the same brand.
    SG
     
    Amber, Mar 19, 2006
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  6. stjoeben

    stjoeben Notebook Enthusiast

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    thanks all. the brand (of memory) was also a question. I will be going with the duel performance option.
     
    stjoeben, Mar 19, 2006
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  7. SeaSlorg

    SeaSlorg Notebook Geek

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    Is 512/512 better than 256/1024?
     
    SeaSlorg, Mar 19, 2006
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  8. Amber

    Amber Notebook Prophet NBR Reviewer

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    Corsair is one of the better brands. I have transcend which is off-brand Samsung. Kingston is good also.

    If the laptop has DDR2 slots, then yes, 512/512 would be better.
     
    Amber, Mar 19, 2006
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