Precision M4500 Owner's Lounge

Hi, First post here, and first laptop I've actually owned... embarrassing for a 35 y.o.!

I picked up a Dell M4500 i520 with 2, 1GB memory cards installed. They are Elpida 1GB 2Rx16 PC3-8500S-7-10-A1. I thought the Precisions came with Hynix as the OEM RAM. Before the laptop arrived, I purchased a 4GB Hynix card off ebay. It arrived tonight, and after working out how to remove the lower cover, I discovered that the installed 1GB RAM cards are 2Rx16, whereas the 4GB Hynix RAM is 2Rx8. I haven't seen any 4GB 2Rx16 cards on the web, so will this new card work, or do I need 2Rx16? I haven't tried the Hynix RAM yet as it comes sealed and if it's not appropriate then I can return it for a refund. Thanks!

 

@jasell

I would have thought using hard drive encryption would be instant performance degradation with any sort of heavy I/O like video editing, but I'm no expert on the subject.

Maybe aligning the partition on the ssd would benefit as you are using XP, I did it with the ssd I had in my M4400 after being told I HAD to do it for XP, and it didn't make a scrap of difference, but maybe it will for you.

Can't help with the quadcore, I only have a i5-540 which seems to use the 4 threads fine with xp32

 

I can't be 100% confident that the mixed RAM will work, but it is some years since I last had a RAM compatibility problem and that was with an ATI chipset.

You can consult Intel's lists of validated RAM here and here. However, those lists do not mean that other RAM won't work. I am using OCZ RAM in my E6410.

John

 

Okay thanks... I don't necessarily want to mix the two types of RAM density, I would just like to know if the 4GB 2Rx8 RAM chip will be compatible with the M4500 standalone, as I guess a few people would have up'd the RAM in these given the intended use (CAD & CAE apps). If the 4GB card works, I'll buy another one down the track to max the computer out at 8GB, as the need arises.
Thanks.

 

I haven't given any thought to the issue of RAM density. I would expect a 1GB module and a 4GB module to work together whatever the density and haven't read any reports suggesting that people have had problems.

John

 

The 4GB 2Rx8 Hynix chip worked fine, the computer detected it upon boot up. I haven't tried mixing the RAM, but I have read some computers have had issues mixing chips of different RAM density.

if you can spot the RAM pictured here: http://blog.screenaid.com/2010/05/24/dell-precision-m4500-disassembly/ it is 4GB 2Rx8, so I must have ordered the correct RAM in the end.

 

Now is the time to try the 1GB + 4GB. I expect that you will see no problems. You can use CPU-z to inspect the timings of each module (the SPD tab) and the memory timings being used by the BIOS (memory tab).

John

 

I've been searching all day and found no direct answers to this:

I'm hoping to buy an M4500 from the outlet today, and there is one that I would like to get except it has no wireless card. If there is no wireless card, will there still be the required wireless antenna and wireless on/off switch? Also, I'm having a hard time finding out exactly what format I need. Is it mini PCI express?

Basically, can I buy a refurbished M4500 with no wireless card in it, and buy the following wireless card and put it in, hook it up, no problems?

Amazon.com: Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200 - Network adapter - PCI Express Half Mini Card - 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11g, 802.11n: Computer & Accessories: Reviews, Prices & more

Thanks!

 

Well, I just bought it. I called and the rep said that it did, in fact, have the Dell wireless card. If for some reason it doesn't, I guess I let everyone know if it at least has the wireless antennae.

 

hi
Does any1 have this with 940xm, if so then can u please tell me how is the battery life and is it worth it.