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    Help with upgrading Inspiron 6400 to 2 GB RAM...

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Istari, Jul 30, 2009.

  1. Istari

    Istari Notebook Guru

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    Hello,

    I've got a Dell Inspiron 6400 with a current RAM of 1024 mb (2x sticks of 512 mb). I want to upgrade to 2 gigs of RAM and purchase 2 sticks of 1 gig each. I inspected my current RAM sticks, and there was a code on them:

    "512 MB 2Rx16 PC2-4200S-444-11-A0"

    Does that mean anything? It says that I'm supposed to use DDR2 only.

    So... my question is how should I go about purchasing new RAM? How do I know if the RAM is DDR2 or not, and if it's compatible with my laptop? Can I easily purchase RAM like this from a computer store like Futureshop, or do I have to get it online? Are some brands better than others?

    Sorry for all the questions. Thanks a lot!

    Istari
     
    Istari, Jul 30, 2009
    #1
  2. bigredal2007

    bigredal2007 Notebook Enthusiast

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    an inspiron 6400 takes two types of ram, 533MHz (PC2-4200) and 667MHz (PC2-5300), both of these are DDR2.

    You need to make sure its 200 pin laptop memory, if you're buying from a manufacturer such as crucial you can just enter your laptop make and model in their website and it'll display compatible ram, if you're buying from eBay go to the laptop > laptop accessories > memory upgrades section and search for "PC2-4200" or "PC2-5300", if you're unsure if the ram is compatible ask the seller, they should be able to tell you.
     
    bigredal2007, Jul 30, 2009
    #2
  3. Commander Wolf

    Commander Wolf can i haz broadwell?

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    You can use any brand and any speed of DDR2 notebook memory. Faster memory will downclock to the machine;s rated speeds. For the most part, you won't notice any real difference between different brands and speeds, so you can just walk into a local brick and mortar, ask for DDR2 notebook memory, and buy the cheapest thing. You can buy online too; in either case just make sure you get something with a lifetime warranty, just in case something goes wrong down the line.
     
    Commander Wolf, Jul 30, 2009
    #3
  4. moral hazard

    moral hazard Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    that is what you need. A PC2-4200 sodimm.
     
    moral hazard, Jul 30, 2009
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  5. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

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    I have 2 x 1Gb Crucial PC5300 in my E1505. It is basically the same laptop as the i6400

    Just make sure you buy DDR2 SODIMM memory

    K-TRON
     
    K-TRON, Jul 30, 2009
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  6. Istari

    Istari Notebook Guru

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    Thanks for all the help! I'm a neophyte at RAM upgrades though, so please bide with me. I still have a few questions... Is the PC-5300 better than the 4200? And what is 200 pin laptop memory? Is SODIMM a brand, or another RAM term of which I am not familiar? Thanks again,
     
    Istari, Jul 30, 2009
    #6
  7. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

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    PC5300 runs at 667MHz,
    If you have a T7200, T7400 or T7600 processor, this is the memory you want to maximize performance.

    PC4200 runs at 533MHz,
    If you have a T2300-T5600, you have a 533MHz FSB, so 533MHz memory is fine.

    This memory will work perfectly regardless of the processor installed:
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148086

    I have this memory in my E1505 and it works just fine with any processor I have used in it.

    K-TRON
     
    K-TRON, Jul 30, 2009
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  8. moral hazard

    moral hazard Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    no it's not a brand.
    sodimm is notebook ram.

    It stands for "Small Outline Dual In line Memory Module".
     
    moral hazard, Jul 30, 2009
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  9. Istari

    Istari Notebook Guru

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    Thanks for all the advice! I just bought 2 sticks of Corsair 1 GB RAM for $28 (great deal!) and it works fine!
     
    Istari, Aug 1, 2009
    #9