RAM memory for Dell Inspiron 1501

I have a friend who recently bought a Dell Inspiron 1501. The thing is agonizingly slow running Visa Home Premium and just doing normal computer apps, no games. It has AMD Turion MK-36 processor and 1GB RAM (2 512MB). The GPU is listed as ATI RADEON Xpress1150 256MB HyperMemory™ (Integrated).

I suggested to him to replace the RAM with 2GB. Should this not make a significant difference?

Also, it seems that this memory would work in the Dell 1501: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145593. This is a Corsair ValueSelect for $77.99 for each GB module.

I want to make sure I direct him to the right memory. The Dell 1501 memory is PC2-4200/533MHz DDR2 200-pin SODIMM. Won't any notebook memory with those specs work for it?

Thanks.

Bill

 

Yes that ram and any other ram that is PC2-4200 SO-DIMM (DDR2-533) should work with the 1501 just remember that the 1501 has 2 slots for memory so if you want 2gb you will have to take out both the 512 sticks which might not be cost effective

 

Because it is dual channel, it has to be paired, doesn't it?

 

Heres Wikis definition:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual-channel

 

Thanks. So, if I read the article correctly, a 512MB can be replaced with a 1GB and paired with the other 512MB, but it is recommended that both modules be identical.

Because his Dell is running so slowly, I think it would pay him to upgrade to 2GB, and the value Corsair would be less than $160. Do you think I'm steering him rightly? Won't the extra GB total RAM make his computer run significantly faster.

Bill

 

Well he is running Vista so yes it will make his computer faster.

Will it make his computer insanely fast, no but it will certainly give him a boost from where he is now, as Vista uses RAM differently than XP.

 

You're right--it won't make his computer insanely fast. I would have had him get a faster processor had I known he was ordering a computer. The sad thing is that he let his wife order this thing over the Home Shopping Network or something like that, and he paid about the same as I paid for my HP dv6000t with a T5600 Intel, NVIDIA 7400, 2GB RAM, and a TV tuner. When he adds his RAM purchase, he will have more money in it than mine cost.

Thanks for your help, Airman and Kdawgca.

Bill

 

Ouch, you really can't do better for the money than HP's new lineup, is it too late for him to return it?

 

Unfortunately, yes. I don't think it bothers him as much at it bothers me.

BTW, this is what I emailed him: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820231118 -- G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) Dual Channel Kit Notebook Memory for $164.99.

Bill