Additional Dell Inspiron 1720 RAM

Just bought a Dell Inspiron 1720 notebook with 1gb RAM. I want to add another 1 or 2 GB RAM to the empty slot.

I wanted to know whether I should get Dell specific memory or will generic do? I saw Kingston ValueRAM and contacted Kingston as to its compatibility with my notebook. Their tech support said they dont recommend ValueRAM generic memory and would recommend Dell specific memory they have (which is dearer).

So does that have any credence? Or can i just get whatever brand memory as long as it is DDR2 SODIMM 200pin PC2-5300 667MHz??

Thanks.

 

You can get any kind of 200pin SODIMM. I would get the cheapest 5300/5400 DDR2(they are the same) 667MHz memory with a lifetime warranty that you can find.

If you're in the U.S., check out newegg. Here's a link to get you started.

4300/4200 is 533MHz, stay away from that and get 5400/5300.

 

alect I agree w/vespolli 100%! That response from Kingston gave me a good laugh for tonight. Read between the lines, are there "generic" notebooks they do recommend it for? I doubt it as I don't even think there is such a thing. If they don't test on brand name do they test on no-name? So I conclude they do not recommend for any computer, so why do they make it? They gave you a sales pitch. Here is a link to my opinions on different types of RAM in more detail, link.

 

whatever they say about memory made specifically for your model is crap! All they make is RAM, which will either work or not work based on your chipset compatibility........

there's one more thing you should know before ordering for a new memory module...., I don't think you will have 1x1GB module in your machine, it will most probably be 2 x 512MB. AFAIK, dell doesn't give an option for single module, atleast in US site.

You can get any brand memory that is DDR2 SODIMM 200 pin PC2-5300 (667 MHz).......

I had Hynix in my Inspiron e1505 and i replaced it with 2 x 1GB modules of Crucial........, they work fine.....

Do make sure to test your memory with memtest86+ after getting it.......

 

Thanks all for the advice. I suppose I need to wait until I receive the laptop to see the memory they have in there. Since it's Vista I want to put as much memory in as possible so 3gb (if it already has one slot with 1gb) otherwise 2.5 gb. The receipt lists:

1 311-7217 1GB, DDR2, 667MHz 2 Dimm

Does the "2 Dimm" mean it's 2x512 sticks?

So given a 2gb (giving 2.5gb) is 68.99 (transcend) and getting 2x 1gb sticks (for total of 2gb) is 54.99 (G.Skills) plus I waste the 2x512 sticks that come in the laptop, which would you advise? laptop to be used for standard web/mail and Photoshop/Lightroom which I understand is memory heavy.

Thanks again for the good advice!

 

I'm in the same boat with you. I ordered my 1720 with 1 gig of RAM, and decided to add more in. I'm just waiting for the laptop to arrive before I buy anything, so I can see if they added 2x512mb or 1x1gb of memory.

I'd like to get 2.5-3gbs of RAM, but all depends on the price, and what comes with the notebook. But if your laptop does come with 2x512mb, here is 2x1gb Crucial RAM at a amazing price.

http://www.buy.com/prod/Crucial-2GB...M-DDR2-Laptop-Memory/q/loc/101/202812946.html

59.99 - $10.00 rebate - $10.00 google checkout = $39.99.

 

It is going to come w/2X512MB's guys, sorry. Sell on Ebay or give to a friend. It does not matter much on an Intel chipset but 2.5GB is the worst. If you have to buy 2X1GB can save money or 1GB+2GB can help with more RAM.

 

Why is 2.5gb the worst? Just curious. I'm going to pick up the Crucial 2x1gb anyways.

Oh, if I can get 2x1gb of Crucial OR Kingston, which one would you recommend? Both for the same price, and same warranty.

 

The diff between Crucial and Kingston does not matter. The reason why 2.5GB is bad might be explained in the dual channel ram guide. I would explain more but am being thrown out of coffee shop now!

 

Surely it is going to be 2 x 512MB sticks.......

you can either go for 2 x 1GB or 1 x 2GB......
for differences in performance with the above combinations, check powerpack's guide on Dual Channel Memory

 

Well I got the lappie - just can't unscrew the d*mn screw for the memory slots - need a small screw driver!

One more question. I didn't list my complete config. It's:

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7250 (2.0GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache)

Does that mean when buying memory I should get 800Mhz memory - Did it just come with 667 Mhz memory b/c Dell is cheap?

 

Your notebook only supports 667MHz RAM so no point in getting 800MHz, it will work but only at 667MHz so not much point if costs more.

 

Thanks. So why do they list it as 800Mhz FSB?

 

The FSB of the chipset is rated at 800 MHz but it only support upto 667 MHz for Memory, it will change soon though....

 

How does one know what the chipset is rated for and what it supports? Is there some sort of other reference I should be looking at?

 

You can check at the manufacturer's site....
As a fact I know that if you are getting a high end Core 2 Duo for your 1720, it cannot have your memory utilize more than 667 MHz bandwidth.......

 

OK I got the laptop open and to my surprise:

• there is only one memory module and one slot only where I expected two
• the one module in there says 512kb on it. The PC definitely is configured with 1gb RAM - so where is the other 512kb?

Now I'm confused as to what I need to buy to upgrade to 2gb RAM. I am posting the photos below of what I have if anyone can help:

This is a photo of the memory I opened on the underside of the laptop.

This is a close up the mem module that's in there and what it's labelled as.

So what gives?

 

If your sure you have 1GB and you only see 1 slot with 512KB RAM then the other slot is likely under the keyboard. You can search Dell's site they have manuals with instructions on how to access.

 

Wow that sucks!! Oh so much easier to change memory on a Thinkpad!

So I assume you would not recommend just plopping a 2gb module into the single slot I can see?

 

Any ideas on what that blue circle with a wire connection is? It's velcro'd to the frame.

 

alect go ahead and throw the 2GB in. No problem. What is that wire? I dont know. The manual might tell you, it is clearly something that fit in that space.

 

OK so I found the other RAM slot - under the keyboard. Not simple but not difficult to get to. A little weird that they separate them!!!

So I'm gonna go for the 2x1gb DIMMs (performance plus it's cheaper than 1x2gb DIMM).

Thanks all for the sage advice.

 

I can get 2x1gb OCZ modules - are they equal to others, worse or better?

 

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=204884016&adid=17070&dcaid=17070

I think Kingston is up there with the best, and you can get two sticks for $30, can't beat that price.

 

OCZ has a very good rep on this site, I have seen many talk about how happy they are. Not to name drop but I think CHAZ (Lead MOD extraordinary) has them and likes (if wrong kill post and deduct 50 points) so good. But as mentioned any RAM is going to work the Kingston mentioned above, I would buy if cheaper. Just get a lifetime warranty and any will work.

 

That would be your modem and Ethernet card.....
That is what i have in my E1505....., though i have both the mem slots at one place....

 

The OCZ 2x1gb RAM modules arrived ($60), went in in under 4 minutes. There is now a substantial improvement in performance on the 1720.

Thanks to all who gave advice.

 

Happy to hear, enjoy your toy!