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    HDX 16t questions

    Discussion in 'HP' started by H3FTW, Oct 5, 2008.

  1. H3FTW

    H3FTW Notebook Geek

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    I'm interested in buying an HDX 16t, but I have some questions.

    - First, I really would like to have a 320GB 7200rpm hard drive, but I on the HP website, I could only configure the notebook with a 5400rpm HD. Is it possible to get an HD separately (This one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136280) and install it in the HDX16, without breaking it or voiding the warranties? Is it possible to have HP install a 7200rpm HD to begin with (even if it isn't on their site), if I pay extra?

    - Second, I noticed the while the HDX 16 has a Montevina processor, you can only buy it on the HP site with DDR2-800Mhz RAM. Will the notebook accept DDR3-1066Mhz RAM without malfunctioning, or am I missing something?

    - Finally, is the 512MB 9600M GT in the HDX16 DDR2 or GDDR3?
     
    H3FTW, Oct 5, 2008
    #1
  2. Infamous22

    Infamous22 Notebook Deity

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    The 9600m GT is GDDR2.

    And of course, you can always change up the hard drive. You'd need to have the recovery DVD to reinstall the OS.

    As far as I know it is 800MHz. If you got 1066, it would probably just use the lower clock speed.
     
    Infamous22, Oct 5, 2008
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  3. H3FTW

    H3FTW Notebook Geek

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    H3FTW, Oct 5, 2008
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  4. tianxia

    tianxia kitty!!!

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    ddr2 and ddr3 ram use different slots, so you can't upgrade to ddr3.

    gm45/pm45 supports both ddr2 800 and ddr3 1066, but manufactures choose what slots they use, normally either 2 slots for ddr2 or ddr3. I don't think anyone will make a notebook mobo with 2 slots for ddr2 AND ddr3, it would be a waste of space.

    EDIT: I don't think changing a hdd will void your warranty. my take: HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection=bloatware.
     
    tianxia, Oct 5, 2008
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  5. deeastman

    deeastman Notebook Deity

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    No.

    You may want to keep the old hard drive for a while so if you have to send the notebook in for repair you can send it in with the original HD. Not necessary but might simplyify the repair process by HP not trying to blame your new HD as being the problem.

    Yes. If you reinstall from the restore DVD's you should make when you receive your notebook.

    I don't know.
     
    deeastman, Oct 5, 2008
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  6. elijahRW

    elijahRW Notebook Deity

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    They did it with ddr1 and ddr2 :p
     
    elijahRW, Oct 5, 2008
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  7. H3FTW

    H3FTW Notebook Geek

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    - So, I can change the HD without voiding the warranty, and not lose the HP functions if I use the system restore DVD - I will be getting the system with Vista Ultimate 64-bit, will the restore DVD install the same OS?

    - Is HP smart protect software or hardware?

    - To clarify, there is absolutely no way to use DDR3 RAM with the HDX 16t, because HP chose to order the motherboard with a slot only for DDR2 RAM.

    - On the site, I can only configure the HDX with 2GB, 3GB, or 8GB of RAM. I want 4GB, so is it possible to install a new set. Is it better to order with the system with 2GB and just get another 2GB stick, or get a completely identical 4GB set?
     
    H3FTW, Oct 5, 2008
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  8. Zod.

    Zod. Notebook Guru

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    Yea, just order it with 2GB and buy another 2GB stick, it's cheaper.
     
    Zod., Oct 5, 2008
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  9. H3FTW

    H3FTW Notebook Geek

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    Money isn't really that big of a deal, 4GB RAM is not expensive. It's just that I've heard that it's better to have an identical set of RAM. It performs better and if I have to get it serviced the techs might blame the problem on having different RAM modules, and that makes a mess of things. What's your take?
     
    H3FTW, Oct 5, 2008
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  10. H3FTW

    H3FTW Notebook Geek

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    I'm will be ordering soon, so any info on this matter would be helpful.
     
    H3FTW, Oct 5, 2008
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  11. Chango99

    Chango99 Derp

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    No, get a 4GB kit. If you order 2GB they give you 2x1GB sticks not 1x2GB stick.
    DDR2 ram only fits ddr2, no ddr3, no ddr.
     
    Chango99, Oct 5, 2008
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  12. H3FTW

    H3FTW Notebook Geek

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    OK, 4GB RAM it is.

    Lastly, in terms of a gaming/multimedia experience, which system would perform better:

    HP HDX16
    - T9600 (2.80Ghz)
    - Nvidia GeForce 512MB 9600M GT (DDR2 version according to Infamous22)
    - 4GB DDR2-800Mhz RAM
    - 320Gb 7200rpm HD
    - 1920 x 1080 LCD screen

    Sony Vaio FW290
    - T9600 (2.80Ghz)
    - ATI Mobility Radeon 512MB HD 3650 (GDDR3)
    - 4GB DDR2-800Mhz RAM
    - 320GB 7200rpm HD
    - 1920 x 1080 LCD screen
     
    H3FTW, Oct 5, 2008
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  13. Zod.

    Zod. Notebook Guru

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    http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-9600M-GT.9449.0.html

    http://www.notebookcheck.net/ATI-Mobility-Radeon-HD-3650.8839.0.html


    The 9600M GT seems to outperform the 3650 slightly.
     
    Zod., Oct 5, 2008
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  14. H3FTW

    H3FTW Notebook Geek

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    Notebookcheck isn't super reliable because they don't review the GPUs in any standard system - for all we know the could review the 3650 in a Pentium Dual Core system with 1GB RAM and the 9600M GT in a Penryn system with 4GB RAM (OK, exaggeration but you get the point). Still, it gives a moderately good overview. Is the 9600M GT still faster if it is 512MB DDR2 and the 3650 is 512MB GDDR3?
     
    H3FTW, Oct 5, 2008
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  15. Chango99

    Chango99 Derp

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    The 9600M GT is a bit better than the 3650, but the difference wouldn't be that big nor that noticeable. Go for whichever brand you like... I liked the way my cousin's light (13" or 14", forgot) vaio laptop looked compared to my dv5t. Too much gloss on HP, while vaio has carbon fibre. Gloss may look nice, but too "fragile". But of course, the vaio cost more.
     
    Chango99, Oct 5, 2008
    #15