Vostro 1500 upgrade compatibility questions

Hi everyone!

I am running a Vostro 1500:
Core 2 Duo T5270 @ 1.40 GHz 2MB L2 / Mobile Core 2 Duo L7300
Intel GM965 chipset, rated FSB 800MHz
Mobo model shows 0NX906
2x1GB DDR2 PC2-5300 333MHz (667Mhz for DDR2)
etc etc etc...

I want to add a new 4GB dual channel ram kit to replace the underperforming 2GB kit I have. Since my FSB is rated at 800MHz, I am looking to get a PC2-6400 2x2GB kit. My question regarding this is about hi vs low density RAM. I found this ram for a good price:

Product Details:
• 200-pin unbuffered DIMM
• Density: HIGH 128x8
• PC6400 800FSB
• 1.8 Volts
• 6 Layer unbuffered
• CAS Latency 4,4.5,5
• 4 Bank
• Off-chip driver (OCD) impedance adjustment, and on die termination (ODT)

Technical Information:
Memory Size: 2GB DDR2 200Pin
Number:1 x 2GB
Memory Speed:800Mhz

More Information:
Non ECC
Non Registered
UnBuffered
6 Layer
Non Parity

which I could get for $60-$70. I thought that (x8)x8 was widely compatible and it was x4 that you should look out for...but I don't understand RAM structure yet.

I also found this RAM for a great price:

Brand OCZ
Model OCZ2M8004GK
Type 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM

Capacity 4GB (2 x 2GB)
Speed DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
Cas Latency 5
Timing 5-5-5-15
Voltage 1.8V
ECC No
Buffered/Registered Unbuffered
Heat Spreader No

which doesn't explicitly say the density...but looking at the picture it looks to have 8 banks on each side. Will either of these options work for me?


Ok, so more questions...this time about the processor. Is it possible to buy a new processor and upgrade with this hardware config? It's Socket P 478. And I am kinda confused, as I used SIW and CPU-Z and both report system bus speed as Max 800MHz, but shows it running at ~199.5Mhz - that seems kind of LOW! Is this normal? Anyways, I would eventually like to upgrade the processor so I am wondering if this is possible.

Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

I guess both the modules should work, but you'll probably save a bit buying CL4 or CL5 DDR2-667....(since the DDR2-800 will downclock to DDR2-667)

I didn't get the L7300..?! But if it is the T5270, you notebook will be able to support any higher Merom Socket P C2D....I am not sure about Penryn support because I think the Penryn micro-code was added in the A07 BIOS revision, but you could check out the release notes for the BIOS revisions or call up Dell and clarify about the Penryn support.
And the FSB is quad-pumped (199.5*4 = ~800)

 

Oh, ok I get it about the FSB x4...but why would my RAM downclock if my FSB supports 800MHz?

L7300 I guess is some kind of sub-name for the mobile C2D...I don't know. It reports that under Name in CPU-Z: Intel Mobile Core 2 Duo L7300 / Codename: Merom. The other is under Specification: Intel Core 2 Duo CPU T5270 @ 1.40 GHz.

I would def. save $ looking for 667MHz (PC2-6400 is kind of hard to find for good prices, but that OCZ comes with a great rebate bringing the total down to $57!), but again, I was under the impression that my system supports 800MHz RAM. BTW, my laptop originally came with A03, then I flashed to A05...couldn't I just update the BIOS to A07, or am I missing something (I was thinking about looking for an updated BIOS soon anyways).

Thanks for the quick and informative response!

 

Well, I was informed that the A07 release included Penryn Support, but I am not sure, so call up Dell and verify....
But if you don't want to go Penryn, upgrade to the latest BIOS version and drop in any Merom Socket P C2D and it'll work, if it has the T5270 (since the L7300 comes as soldered to the mobo).

Download Everest Pro or PC Wizard 2008, and see which CPU is reported....

If the OCZ 2x2GB has a price of $57, go for it. It will downclock to 667MHz at probably CL=4. (It is a chipset limitation)

 

the L7300 label is CPU-Z giving you the wrong information. the L7300 is a low power version of the C2D (which runs at 1.4ghz), and is a lot more money than the T5270, you would know if you had it
Just right click on my computer and do properties to get the CPU. This will give you Intel's "name" for the CPU, which I am willing to bet is T5270

If your system supports the high density memory, it will perform slightly better... but only slightly. Higher data density = faster throughput. I personally would buy the cheaper of the two as the difference won't be noticeable!

I am pretty sure that the Vostro 1500 does not support 800mhz memory due to a restriction of the chipset. That means a BIOS update is not going to help you, and your system will never support 800mhz memory.
(Here is intel's spec sheet on your chipset BTW, people tend to not want to believe me)
http://www.intel.com/products/notebook/chipsets/gm965/gm965-overview.htm

 

I do have Everest Home (also have Sandra Lite XII, SIW, CPU-Z), and they all report T5270. Everest Home gives me

CPU Type: Unknown, 1400MHz (16 x 88)

also. Sandra gives me

Name: C2DM (Merom) Mobile Core 2 Duo 65nm 2.3-3.33 GHz 1.0375-1.3v

for both cores. Looks like CPU-Z is the only one reporting L7300, so if this is a bug, where do I go to report it? I guess I'll check the CPU-Z site.

I clicked to the link you posted, and it reads:

"Support for dual channel DDR2 667 MHz memory technology Support for increased performance memory technology."

Which seems pretty clear. So I'm confused why the 800MHz system FSB only supports 667MHz RAM, but I'm not exactly an expert. I just had a vague notion that max FSB sets what speed RAM you can utilize, so I'm surprised to find that I can't get 800MHz RAM.

So how would I go about finding if my system supports high density? I'll keep looking around for more info but I'm starting to get overwhelmed. I just want to know my options, although knowing that I'm only going to support up to 667MHz makes a lot more manageable prices come into play .

Thanks for the info you guys. And fast responses too!

 

I do not know why these chipsets had the memory speed limitation, I would guess that the chipset is not powerful enough to handle it. However, CPU FSB and memory speeds do not control each other, though they can be related when it comes to performance, but that's another topic.

I suspect the high density memory would work in your system, but if you want to be totally safe, the regular memory will be fine. Again, almost no performance difference.

 

High density has sloppy usage all 2GB chips would be high density in some common usage. In it's older and I would say correct usage High Density memory means non-ECC. And no one uses EEC in notebooks or standard Desktops. It is more expensive and retards performance (speed wise).

 

Thanks for the input, Hep...I follow you.

@ powerpack, you say all 2GB chips would be high density in some common usage...I am not sure I get what you mean. Is it not possible for me to find low or standard 2GB chips?

I suppose the simple solution for me would be to find out for sure what my system supports and then just stick with that, although it's still kind of tough for me to identify what is high vs low density ram. I'm gonna check around more and look closer at the link provided here for my own mobo (thanks again!) to see if I can get some more answers. Here is an interesting anecdote, by the way, from http://forums.cnet.com/5208-7586_102-0.html?forumID=68&threadID=62978&start=15 :

"MEMORY (RAM) DENSITY DEFINITION & FALSE INTERPRETATIONS!
by puicac - 1/3/08 4:32 PM
In reply to: Ram compatibility questions. by hobbes
Memory Density CAN NOT be used as criteria why would work or not a memory or to determine the actual quality of the RAM!

"Hi Density" versus "Low Density" is just some arbitrary slang for "I have a fake from an unknown memory non-working problem" just add to the confusion as explain further:
There is no accepted industry definition of "high density" relative to standard or low
density – is amateurish and an arbitrary terms to try justifying more a non-working fake!"

The information I have found is so sparse and confusing I am not surprised to read something like this. Oh well! At least I don't have to worry about looking for PC2-6400 anymore now that I know my chipset only supports 677MHz (which is kind of dissapointing, but hey, I was under the incorrect assumption that it would support 800MHz ram when I got it, so that shows what assuming will do for you).

Thanks again, guys!

 

I agree with that definition you found as to how it is used. In your case it is correct, it is meaningless what I was trying to express (all 2GB will be HD). It does have some meaning also as I pointed out. For you it has no purpose so do not concern yourself.

 

Ok thanks powerpack.

 

Two more questions: so am I right in assuming that if I upgrade to A07 it's possible that I can get a Penryn OR Merom cpu? And, can anyone point me to a list of Merom/Penryn Socket P cpu's that would make a worthy upgrade? I still don't know too much about cpus in general but at least I know I need a socket P/478 cpu.

Thanks!

 

If the A07 BIOS revision is available for your notebook, then do install....
Check this and this out for list of CPUs.

 

It's not, but I believe A06 provides Penryn support. I will keep looking around. I am currently using A05.

 

I am not sure, but I am pretty sure the A05 didn't support my Penryn XE (X9000). Call up Dell, and clarify. I am not really sure, since I read this info in one of the Dell threads.

 

A last question, I am looking at T7500/T7700 or even an E8300. Are these good choices? Is there something better I could be looking at? I don't need 'the best', just something that offers good performance at an ideal price. I definitely want to go 4MB L2 or better, and 2.0GHz or better.
Recommendations?

Thanks!

 

The E8300 is a Desktop CPU. T7500/T7700 are fine
This might be of interest to you....

 

Very informative link, thank you! Looks like 1500 supports Penryn after all.

Sorry, I meant T8300.