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    Dell XPS memory upgrade?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by negative7iq, Aug 13, 2007.

  1. negative7iq

    negative7iq Newbie

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    Hello,
    I have a question regarding upgrading my Dell XPS M1210 laptop.
    My computer is running with a 1.83 ghz processor with a 80 GB hard drive and 1 GB of RAM. I am currently running on the 32-bit OS (VISTA)

    I was originally going to upgrade to 4GB, but was informed that the 32-bit will only allow up to a 3GB. My question is: what it be better to only upgrade to 2GB of RAM, or can I safely "mix and match" memory modules in order to reach 3GB? (I had heard that it was best to only use module pairs)
    Any help would be greatly appreciated.

    On a side note, could I upgrade to a 62-bit OS? Thanks! :confused:
     
    negative7iq, Aug 13, 2007
    #1
  2. BenArcher

    BenArcher Notebook Consultant

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    ok basically with 32bit. you can use upto 3.25 or something gig of memory including video memory becasue 32bit can only allocate that much.

    So buy upgrading to 4Gig you will probably have 3gig useable becasue some of the allocation space will goto the video card.

    The reason you should use pairs is becasue you will most likley lose dual channel memory if you mix sticks. With certain motherboards you can mix and still get dual channel support(well atleast in PC's) but dell has a disclaimer when yoru picking your memory saying dual channel support anly avalible if bothe sticks are the same size. So i would assume if you have a 1gig & a 2 gig stick you will only get single channel and therefor have effectivly half teh memory bandwidth (which is bad).

    So its really upto you but really i don;t see much point in having over 2gig of ram becasue you really need to be trying to use over 2gig of ram. On vista Ultimate on my PC i can have photoshop, word, about 20 web pages, a movie going & run any game I want & I still don't use over 2 gig. But if you feel you need the extra gig then go for the 4 gig.
     
    BenArcher, Aug 13, 2007
    #2
  3. Padmé

    Padmé NBR Super Pink Princess

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    Typo? You do mean 64 bit, right? You can if you like. ;)
     
    Padmé, Aug 13, 2007
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  4. Kdawgca

    Kdawgca rotaredoM repudrepuS RBN

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    FYI, even with a 64-bit OS, the XPS M1210 would still be able only to see ~3GB due a chipset limitation. Look in the Hot ram deals thread for great prices on ram.
     
    Kdawgca, Aug 14, 2007
    #4
  5. surfasb

    surfasb Titles Shmm-itles

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    I personally don't see the point of 4gb unless you are like a programmer and you are trying to debug and compile stuff at the same time or something. Then again, just because Vista can only address up to 3.5 gb of memory doesn't mean the 4gb is a terrible buy. I personally rather go with 2 x 2gb modules over dealing with reinstalling my OS.
     
    surfasb, Aug 14, 2007
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  6. srdhkl

    srdhkl Notebook Evangelist NBR Reviewer

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    srdhkl, Aug 14, 2007
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