XPS m1530 RAM Upgrade

Since Dell loves to overcharge on notebook RAM, i'm just going to order RAM seperately and install it myself. What type of ram do I specifically need to get, what speed, ram type, etc.....

 

Oh I forgot to mention, i'm buying the laptop with 1gig to save money, and plan on replacing it with two 2gig sticks off newegg.

 

Get yourself any PC54(3)00 200 Pin 667 MHz DDR2 SODIMM.

Check the ram deals thread if you like; odds are newegg will have some pretty good prices--if you want to double-check before buying, go ahead and post a link here, someone will let you know.

 

Ha. this ram:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144066

Or Dells 500$ solution >.<

Also, looks like Vista 32 bit will only recognize 3 gigs of my ram? Does anyone know if Deel offer the 64 bit version of Vista Ultimate.....

 

Vista 32-bit on the M1530 will likely recognize 3.5 GB. Go for the 4 GB, and Newegg is a great place to look, though clubit and zipzoomfly occasionally match or beat NewEgg's prices, so you are not limited to NewEgg only.

Dell does not supply 64-bit discs, AFAIK.

I believe, though I may be mistaken, that the license agreement for Windows includes an installation of either 32-bit or 64-bit of the same edition (Home Premium, Ultimate, whatever). So, simply request a 64-bit DVD from MS, if possible, or find one elsewhere, and simply install your edition of Vista, 64-bit, with the key found on the bottom of your machine.

 

This is correct.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/1033/ordermedia/default.mspx

 

You can do a lot better than the $124 for 4 GB... newegg has 2GB dimms for ~$40. There were also deals last week for 4GB for around $80 ($60 after rebate)...

 

So does it make sense to add 4GB to the 1530 rather than 3GB if Windows cannot recognize it?

Is it worth it to add 4GB and then request 64bit Vista?

Can someone explain the whole situation to me? <3 <3

 

Simply, to upgrade from 1 to 2 GB on Dell's site will cost more than just buying a 2 GB stick outright from NewEgg, et al. In addition, you may at some point down the road run a 64-bit OS which will take advantage of all 4 GB.

Therefore, if possible, buy 1 GB from Dell. This will consist of 2 sticks for 512 MB each. After the order ships from Dell (or a day or two before), order 4 GB of RAM (2 x 2 GB sticks), and enjoy your powerful M153O.

At these prices, it is still worthwhile to buy 4 GB rather than 3 GB, even if you run a 32-bit OS which will see only 3.5 GB.

 

I put in my product ID from my Vostro 1500 (Vista Basic), and got the following response:

We're sorry, the following error(s) have occurred:
No Offer Found


Are OEM versions excluded from this?? I'm pretty sure there is a 64-bit version of Vista Basic.

 

I ordered the same laptop but with 2gigs of RAM installed. Is is the same deal? Should I just find a 2gig Ram stick, or will the Dell come 2x1gb? If that's the case, what can I do?

 

Does it make sense to switch from 32 to 64 bit vista to take advantage of all 4gigs?

Or does the upgrade to 64 bit cancel out the extra half gig?

 

ok, now i have a question. i ordered mine with 1 gig of ram. should i buy a 2 gig stick and have 2.5 gigs or but a 2 gig and a 1 gig and have 3 since theres not reason to put 4 gigs in there?

 

Dell will probably ship you two 1 Gb memory sticks. You can give Dell a call and tell them you want your notebook with only 1 Gb total RAM installed (usually, two 512 Mb sticks). After that, you only have to order somewhere else (newegg, zipzoomfly, etc.) the amount of RAM you desire. When you have both, just take out the Dell's RAM and put your own (it's an easy installation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7R5VYsdxIg ).

I would recommend two things, though: check the PC runs fine when you receive it (without making any changes) and if you're a bit on the skeptical side, keep the RAM in case you have any kind of issue and wish to return the machine).

Hope it helps!

 

does the m1530 support the 800mhz ram??? and if it does is there any performance difference?? thanks.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=187778&page=14&post&p=2780391

 

I'm still a bit confused. I was stupid enough to get 2GB of RAM for my m1530. What should I do to get 3GB or 4 GB of RAM? Am I gonna have to replace both 1GB RAM's to be able to have 4GB or can I just buy a 2GB RAM and install it myself so I'll have 3GB? I'm not sure since I've read somewhere that both slots must have the same type and same amount for it to function properly.

 

2 GB RAM sticks are now, each, $30 after rebate. You do not have to buy 2 2GB sticks to make them identical, but at these prices, I would even to gain only .5 GB in Vista 32.

Consider the 2 GB you got from Dell a good backup in case your newly purchased ones go bad.

If you want to save money, then look for a cheap 2 GB stick ($30 after rebate), and enjoy your 3 GB system for (hundreds?) less than you'd have paid Dell to upgrade from 2 to 3.

 

Do you think having 3GB of RAM is fine? I mean, since it's not symmetrical. I'm afraid i might damage my notebook.

 

A new offer for RAM. I think this is compatible with XPS m1530

http://dealspl.us/A-Data-4GB-2x2GB-DDR2-667-PC2-5300-Notebook-SODIMM-Memory_78516

Dinho

 

Is there any Crucial compatible RAM on the Newegg site that anyone has tried out for their M1530? Or any other brands in particular that you guys have used for the M1530 that worked perfectly?

 

So is the PC2 6400 RAM with 800FSB compatible with m1530? I looked on Crucial and they offer a 4GB kit (2x2GB) at 800FSB, will that work? It would be faster than the 677FSB..

 

Yes it will work but it will only run at 667Mhz

 

Why would it only run at 667MHz? it is a 800FSB RAM and the T9300 has 800FSB..

 

Can someone answer my question please?

 

It is not because of the processor, but the Santa Rosa architecture itself. Santa Rosa IS COMPATIBLE with 800mhz RAM, but that does NOT mean that it will be use the ram at that speed. You can install it, but it will scale it back to 667mhz on its own. Montevina however, is compatible with 800mhz RAM and will run it at 800mhz. In other words, buying 800mhz ram for the current M1530 that is Santa Rosa, will not do you any good. Hopefully that answers your question.

 

I see.. I will just get 2x2GB @ 677mhz then..

What is Santa rosa and montevina?

What else is montevina better at?

 

They are Centrino Platforms, basically different architectures. Santa Rosa is mainly for power saving and support of things like 45 nm processors.

Montevina is a huge step up as it provides even more power saving features and is most noted for the support of better ram. It supports for example, DDR2 800mhz ram and actually utilizes the 800mhz without scaling down and it also supports DDR3 memory as we all know from the 8600GT for example, DDR3 performs much better than DDR2.

If you want some generic info about such things, Wiki is great for background info.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centrino#Montevina_platform_.282008.29

 

Is there not the 4GB GSkill deal at newegg anymore? I got my mine for like $65.00

 

I dunno if GSkill is a reputable brand or not, but I just ordered the Corsair.

 

I see.. I kinda wanna wait and kinda dont, oh wells, i got mine spec'ed out so good for less than $1300 shipped, which is freaking dealz, im not complaining...