Vista: 2 or 4 gb's of RAM?

About to pull the trigger on a new Latitude E6400.
Am up in the air between a 2GB 1 DIMM or a 4gb 2 DIMM.

WIll I see a big performance diff between 2 and 4?

 

Depends upon what you will be using the notebook for. Vista will perform better with 4GB, but you will need Vista 64-Bit to recognise the full 4GB, Vista 32-Bit will recognise 2.5 - 3.75GB.
If you're in the US, you can find better after-market DDR2 modules ....

 

I will be using the 32 bit system.
What is a DDR2 module?

 

DDR2

You can get the cheaper 2x1GB option from Dell, and buy this or similar (if not in the US) [32-bit will recognise ~3GB]

 

Go with 3GB, if you can. The happy middle alternative.

 

Ok.
Which processor then; I can choose from the following:

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P8400 (2.26GHz, 3M L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB)


Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P8600 (2.40GHz, 3M L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB)


Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T9400 (2.53GHz, 6M L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB)


Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P9500 (2.53GHz, 6M L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB)


Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T9600 (2.80GHz, 6M L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB)

 

+1

2GB is the absolute minimum for running Vista fairly smoothly. Upping it to 3GB gives you that extra smoothness and buffer.

 

The T9600 for the speed.

The P8400 and the P8600 will represent a better value for the money

The P series is cooler than the T series and should have a better battery live.

 

Interesting.
In that case, Im going to go with the 2nd to best, cuz I think the fastest one is only noticeable when using a 64 bit OS?

 

No nothing of that sort.
Get the P8400, and save the $60. There will be no performance difference, except a minute difference in intensive tasks. And get the notebook with a single 2GB DIMM, and upgrade to 3GB - if wanting to stay with 32-Bit.

 

So what is the difference then between the chip that has a 3m cache and the one with a 6m cache?

And if Vista is capable of using up to 3.8 gigs of ram, why not then get 4gb's of RAM?

 

put it these way if you don't use CPU intensive applications, and mainly use your laptop for emails, word processing and surfing the net you wont notice the difference between 2 and 4gb of ram, nor the difference between a cpu with a 3mb cache and 6mb cache.

For the ram I don't know exactly about the E6400, but some have reported that their vista was able to use only 2.5gb out of 4gb

What are you going to use this laptop for?

 

Get 64bit Vista and 4GB of ram.
There is no reason you should choose the 32bit version.

 

read this to understand why less than 4gb are recognised in Vista 32bit
http://www.vistaclues.com/reader-question-maximum-memory-in-32-bit-windows-vista/

 

You can either request Dell to give you a preinstalled 64-Bit OS, or call them up and request them within 21 days for a 64-Bit disc, after getting your notebook. They should provide it to you, free of cost.
I am pretty sure, there was a link to a Dell Forum here at NBR, stating how to get the OS CD from Dell. (Can't find it)

And a P8400 is a better option, in terms of cost vs performance as compared to the 6MB cache CPUs.

 

Thanks for all the input Andy and Naton.

I will be using this laptop for mainly Outlook/Excel, use of my company's proprietary CRM software, surfing the web and some media.

Although I want to save where I can, I do NOT want to cut corners.
Id like for this thing to last and handle software upgrades in the future, especially the new Windows OS (whenever that comes out).

Can you guys explain what kinds of programs/software/usage would require a 6mb cache?

Is there an advantage to getting the 64 bit OS as opposed to the 32 bit?

 

You're welcome

Save your money and use the the 32bit version of vista. also get the intel graphics instead of the nvidia quadro nvs unless you're planning to game with your laptop. The less ram is used by the graphics card the more vista will recognise. For example if the graphics card uses 128MB vista 32bit is likely to recognise 3.8gb. If the graphics use 512mb, vista will recognise 3.4gb.

if you opt for the 3gb that the graphics card will not interfere and vista will see and use all 3gb.

The vista 64bit makes sense only if you select the 8gb option. and having 8gb doesn't make any sense unless you're planning to convert your laptop into a server

 

Mainly CPU intensive tasks - Image-editing, Video-editing/encoding/decoding, sometimes watching HD (requires a good GPU as well) etc. AFAIK you need a fast processor to manipulate images, apply filters, render/edit videos etc etc

And I think 64-Bit is the way to go. There has been a massive increase in driver and software support for 64-Bit in the past year, and it is the future. And you will see a performance increase when using 64-Bit software in Vista x64. (And you can utilise your full 4GB [or even more, if the BIOS allows it])

You should find out if your company's CRM software is 64-Bit compatible, though Vista 64-Bit runs almost all 32-bit applications without any issues, as it uses an emulation layer called Windows on Windows x64 (WOW64). You can find more info on this by googling.

 

Learning alot here...

I was under the impression that the Quadro makes the Vista experience better?

Also, the chip-can I stick with a 3mb cache if I use the 64bit version?

Still unclear as to what more mb's in your cache allows-

 

I would never think of running Vista with less than 4gb of RAM.

 

Well my mom's desktop has 2G's and it works smoothly without any problems. Also a pretty decent Windows Experience Index score.

Aero Interface is fine as well.

My dad's desktop only has 1G and it also runs fine as well. It's not as pretty looking from an interface aspect or graphical aspect but it does the job.

Plus I got him a Wireless N USB adapter as well as a NetGear Wireless N router and his internet connection is AMAZING.

Bottom line is that I it comes down to what version you're getting. If you're getting the 64 Bit you'd be dumb to get anything less than 4G in my opinion. Getting 2 or 3 just makes the whole thing useless.

If you're going for the 32 bit version then really it's up to you and how much stress/rigor you'll be putting your laptop thru when it comes to programs, processes, etc. I recommend 2G at the least but even 1G won't hurt you.

 

I have Vista Ultimate with 2GB and it's fine for me. I would absolutely say no less than 2 GB when running Vista. I wouldn't go over 3GBs because I read a few months ago that there is something weird with going over 3 when using Vista, even if it's 64 bit. (or maybe that was just something about Linux)

 

Ok-so looks like4 is the safest bet.

Now what about this cache thingy- 3mb or 6mb to run Vista?

 

CPU Cache, and its advantage. (The performance impact/boost will be noticeable only in Intensive tasks)

 

im running vista with 2 gigs of ram and ive not once seen vista use all of it, even with a million things open.

 

For Vista you will be more than fine with the intel graphics.

The nVidia line of graphics card is designed for intensive applications. The Quadro NVS series is optimased for 2D application such as AutoCAD and Photoshop. The Quadro FX in the other hand will be better for 3D applications such as MAYA and 3DS MAX.

I like the latitude series even though it is designed for businesses. What I like about it the quality and the solidity of the built.

If you're going to use the laptop mainly for internet, email and office applications, and you don't think that your needs will change in the future go with the following:

P8400.
Vista business 32bit.
14.1 WXGA ----> I think that the text is too small in the 14.1 WXGA+
2GB 800MHz DDR2
120GB 7200rpm Hard drive as a minimum or the 200GB serial ATA HDD 7200RPM if you can afford it.
8x DVD+/RW Drive.
Intel X4500HD graphics
6 Cell 54WHr LI-ION Primary Battery if you dont use your laptop in the move a lot. 9 Cell 85WHr LI-ION Primary Battery if you'll be using it in the move a lot... more cells = laptop havier a bit = more battery live
acessories and else it's apt to you.
The above configuration will cost £841 including VAT and Postage. This price includes about £200 discount.

Now if and only if you like the look and feel of Vista ultimate, then I would suggest Vista Ultimate 64bit as the cost of the upgrade is the same either you select the 32bit or the 64bit one.

Now if this laptop was for me I'll buy it only with 1gb of ram and buy more ram from elsewhere as dell memory is expensive and you don't have a say on the made.

 

Naton-they dont offer any 800 MHTZ chips, only 1066.
I can go with the 1gb single DIMM, but then where do I buy the additional memory and which brand would you say is better quality and better priced?

 

1066 is for the CPU
the 800 is for the RAM... only option available from dell.co.uk

for the ram you need one of below. I'm not suggestion you should buy them from here, but this what you should buy for the upgrade.
DDR2-667 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231153

DDR2-800 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231153[/URL]

DDR2-800 - http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=Latitude%20E6400