HP Compaq NX6325 (DAC) RAM and Firewire questions

I found this forum from Google via this thread list-laptops-definitely-have-texas-instruments-chipset-not-discussion-list.

I am looking for a laptop to use as a DAC, so I need one with a TI firewire chipset.

First of all, this model definitely has both a Texas Instruments firewire chipset and bus for the pci Buscard slot, right?

I have found a HP Compaq NX6325 on eBay, now but the info on it is minimal. It has windows 7 installed and only 2gb RAM. This seems barely enough to support the OS alone.

I Googled the NX6325 and most references state it takes "Up to 4GB** of 667-MHz DDR2 SDRAM, dual channel memory support", the ** refers to the limitations of XP etc

I am wondering, would I be able to use more than 4gb now that it has windows 7 installed, or is it also a bios or hardware limitation or something?

Also, can I use faster than 667Mhz? There aren't too many this slow available anymore...

I think I am going to need at least 6gb, preferably 8gb to comfortably run large VST instruments mostly from memory, rather than relying too much on slow mechanical hard drives.

Basic question in the end, I guess, but just thought I'd share all the info and research I have so far.

Cheers

 

You can try using more RAM but 4GB should work properly... You can use faster DDR2-800 RAM and it downclock to 667MHz and work properly...

 

Thanks for the reply. Is a Intel Core i7 – 3612QM CPU @ 2.10GHz powerful enough?

My mind is still 5 years behind with the latest CPUs and I've never been savvy on the Notebook front. Core i7 on a PC reads completely differently to 3612QM...

 

Are you referring to upgrading the NX6325's processor? Only certain CPUs are compatible; the i7-3612QM is not I'm afraid. The NX6325 was offered with AMD Turion TL series dual-core processors. They are quite slow by today's standards but suffice for general usage minus anything like HD video.

 

Sorry! I posted a question destined for another forum. Got so much rushing through my head at the moment.

Basically, what I wanted to know is where the i7-3612QM sits by todays standards; maybe what it is comparable to against a PC based i7? (I found another laptop that is a bit more modern that might also serve my purpose.)

 

Also, the Laptop I found for sale is refurbished and doesn't come with any discs. Is there a way to find out the Windows 7 CD Key after I buy it (if I do) so that I could reformat it without having to buy a new license? Cheers!

 

It's cool. To answer the first question about the i7-3612QM; it's a fairly powerful CPU by today's standards. The fourth-gen i7 quad-cores (i7-4700MQ for example) are marginally faster. I wouldn't pay more than ~20% more for an i7-4700MQ equipped notebook if CPU performance is your primary consideration (since that's about the performance gain they offer). The desktop i7 quad-cores are a good clip faster than the mobile versions.

Regarding the original Windows 7 license key; no, there's no way I know of off-hand to do that. If you call HP Support, they might be able to sell you replacement discs at cost. Check eBay or Amazon for discounted Windows 7 licenses. The drivers and other software the notebook would have come with should be downloadable off of HP Support's website.

 

Thanks again for the reply. I have seen people on eBay claiming to sell license numbers only that they email to you. I didn't think it would be legit ... I already own a genuine OEM Windows 7 DVD, but it was valid for one instance only.

 

Yes those offers are less than legitimate. Call HP and see if they'll sell you recovery discs. The worst case scenario is that you're looking at purchasing a Windows 7 license at regular price.