Buying own memory for E6500?

So I was building my E6500 and I noticed that it seems rather expensive to add 4 GB of RAM. It seems to vary depending on the day and other factors, but it's usually around $200 to upgrade from 1 GB to 4 GB (2 DIMMs). I checked Newegg and found some well-rated notebook RAM for $90. It's DDR2 800, 2x2GB.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227251

So, is there any reason I shouldn't get the E6500 with 1 GB and buy this memory and install it myself? I'm not afraid of installing it (I've done it before), I'm just worried about it somehow being incompatible. The Newegg memory is 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM; is there any chance the E6500 won't work with that? My plan would be to buy the memory so it arrives before the laptop (so I won't have to wait ). Would it be better to buy the laptop and look at the memory first, so I know what type to get?

Basically, I'm just looking for any hidden gotchas since the price difference is so huge. I know Apple marks up their memory a lot, but I didn't know Dell did the same.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance!

 

They are charging $225 here for 1GB to 2GB in Australia, quit complaining!

To answer your question, yes it is probably cheaper to get your own memory. You will need the PC6400 variation (800MHz) SODIMMs for the E6500. All DDR2 memory is back compatible. It will run on the slowest speed, bus or RAM, whichever comes first, so while it might get be slower if you get the wrong type, there is no reason to fear incompatibility. (BTW, those OCZ chips I ordered from the US were exactly like those on that page and are pretty good! Using them on a 667MHz bus though )

 

$225 for that? Ouch!

If they're all backwards compatible then it seems like I should go for it. Thanks for your help!

If anyone else has any other opinions/advice feel free to post, however.

 

Spot on Sherlock. You know that you got a good deal when you place an overseas order for 4GB and it is STILL cheaper (with customs tax + Goods & Services tax) than buying an extra 1GB from Dell (it cost me $167 to order my OCZ RAM from the US, they don't sell OCZ for cheap in Aussieland)

 

I upgraded the memory in my old ASUS laptop last year without a problem. I then bought an HP laser printer that could take SODIMMs, so I thought I'd put one of the old ones in. However it didn't fit - the notch was in a slightly different place.

I would be tempted to get the laptop first, and check the memory to make sure it isn't specific to Dell.

Alternatively use a supplier like Crucial that has a large database of different systems to ensure compatibility. They have the E6500 on the UK site - GBP 56 for 4GB (+tax)


(BTW Crucial also do memory for HP printers. They have 1GB for GBP13, whereas HP want to charge GBP637. That is about a 98% saving!)

 

The OCZ RAM has got good timings (5-5-5-15 @ 800MHz). I don't know what the timings are of the RAM Dell is using. It might be CL6. A few months back I bought a cheap DDR2-800 module and the timings were 5-6-6-18, so headline was CL5 and the rest of the timings were not so good.

I've ordered a 2GB OCZ module to sit alongside the 1GB that comes in my E6400.

John

 

All modern Dells have standard 200 pin slots for DDR2.

@John
Can confirm the OCZ chips I have are 5-5-5-15. Manufactured Week 17/2007.