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    Alienware m9700 ram upgrade

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by big_greasy_taco, May 13, 2007.

  1. big_greasy_taco

    big_greasy_taco Notebook Geek NBR Reviewer

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    I was looking in Newegg.com for a ram upgrade for a new 9700, but the search feature didn't turn up any results. Could somebody help me find the correct kind of ram for it? I want to upgrade to 2gb
    thanks
     
    big_greasy_taco, May 13, 2007
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  2. FREN

    FREN Hi, I'm a PC. NBR Reviewer

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    Well, that's because any DDR RAM of the same frequency would work - there is no specific RAM just for Alienware computers.

    After looking at the Alienware site, I see that the original Alienware uses DDR (NOT DDR2) 400 Mhz RAM. That means you'll want to look for 200-pin DDR SO-DIMMs rated at PC3200 (400 Mhz).

    Here's the list of compatible products. Notice Newegg doesn't sell 2 GB packages of RAM, it only sells 1 stick of 1 GB at a time for this particular RAM. You'll have to buy two sticks of this stuff.

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...381+1052907864+1309221122+1309121113&name=1GB
     
    FREN, May 13, 2007
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  3. Charr

    Charr Notebook Deity

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    Charr, May 13, 2007
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  4. big_greasy_taco

    big_greasy_taco Notebook Geek NBR Reviewer

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    Hey thanks, that helps.

    actually they put in 2 512mb sticks, not a single 1gb. I have to but 2...
     
    big_greasy_taco, May 13, 2007
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  5. big_greasy_taco

    big_greasy_taco Notebook Geek NBR Reviewer

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    what does the term CL... mean when talking about memory? I am pretty sure alienware puts in CL4, but I see alot of CL3 and CL5's around. Is there a benefit to having one or another?
     
    big_greasy_taco, May 13, 2007
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  6. FREN

    FREN Hi, I'm a PC. NBR Reviewer

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    CL refers to CAS latency. The lower the latency, the more "processing cycles" the RAM can do. So, comparing RAM of the same bandwidth (so, say we're comparing RAM that is JUST DDR2-667 Mhz), CL5 would be faster than CL6.
     
    FREN, May 13, 2007
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  7. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    Notebook memory is generally the same specification-wise regardless of the manufacturer. I'd go with the lowest-priced name-brand memory you can get.

    Check out the 2GB memory kits too (2x 1GB in one package), sometimes they're cheaper than just buying 2 1GB sticks separately.
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, May 13, 2007
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  8. big_greasy_taco

    big_greasy_taco Notebook Geek NBR Reviewer

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    Cool, thanks :D
     
    big_greasy_taco, May 13, 2007
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  9. Charr

    Charr Notebook Deity

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    Most dual channel kits are also matched, meaning they work better together than a pair of random 1GB sticks.
     
    Charr, May 13, 2007
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