Upgrading the RAM and HD in E6400

First, go to the Dell support site and get the E6400 service manual.

Second, that RAM won't work. It is desktop RAM. You need 800MHz DDR2 200 pin SODIMM (SO = small outline).

I don't give too much weight to brands. My E6400 is happily running on 2GB of relatively expensive OCZ RAM + 2GB of cheap unbranded RAM. The latter matches the OCZ RAM's timings.

For HDD you need 2.5" SATA 9.5mm thick. Avoid the few 12.5mm thick 2.5" HDDs.

John

 

Is there a restriction on the SATA transfer speed? Will the E6400 handle 3.0 GB/S? Would, for instance, this work: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136314 ?

 

Umm thats desktop computer ram.

 

Heh, with that desktop ram it really is hammer time.
They just won't fit without one ...and maybe a dremel

These are the kits you want to be looking at.

I've used quite a few of these 4GB OCZ kits on E6500's and they've been fine.

 

That's a very good choice for a notebook HD.
It has an excellent balance of speed (5400rpm), power consumption and large storage capacity. I beleive John has one in his E6400 and thinks quite highly of it.

I use a slightly faster 320GB 7200rpm WD Black series version myself that continues to impress me.

 

Yes, the WD5000BEVT runs fine in the E6400 and is economical on power.I gave it a thorough test when I first got it and I'm still happy with it. The SMART data is now showing a power on time of 1505 (hours).

Some people are finding that the 7200rpm HDDs can be a bit noisy in the E6400 since the HDD mounts directly in the chassis. The 5400rpm HDDs tend to be quieter. I need to be in a quiet room to hear the WD5000BEVT and, even then, the sound is not annoying.

John

 

Anyway, thanks kindly for the information. Seems I've now got myself a pimped out rig for less than $1000.

As a tangential question, is it worthwhile to upgrade on the cheapest Dell-brand wireless card that the E6400 comes with?

 

Are you referring to the Dell 1397-G wireless card? If so, you have a few options in terms of upgrades. All of the following are compatible-

Dell 1510-N wireless card
Intel 5100AGN wireless card
Intel 5300AGN wireless card

You will also need a Wireless-N Router to take advantage of the speed benefits from any of those upgrades. With a Wireless-N router, you will see substantial (even exponential, in some cases) increase in speed.

Note- you can find the Intel 5100 or 5300 on eBay for quite a bit cheaper than Dell's prices! Just be sure it's the 'half-height' card.

 

So, say, I could buy this ( http://cgi.ebay.com/Intel-WiFi-Link-5100-Half-Height-PCIe-Dell-0KW380_W0QQitemZ270342014689QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item270342014689&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1419|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50 ), and replace it for my current Dell 1397-G, allowing my computer to receive signal on the faster N wavelength if present?

 

haha, I plan to do exactly this. I'm going to do the $10 RAM upgrade to get 2 gigs on 1 DIMM, so then I can buy another 2 gig stick for cheaper than their upgrade price. I save like at least $60 I think.