1520 memory questions

The manuals for the 1520 indicate that one DIMM is under the keyboard (DIMMA) and one DIMM is on the bottom of the system (DIMMB). I assume this is actually true? If you order a system with just 1Gb of RAM, planning to add 2Gb separately, does the DIMM Dell supplies come in the DIMMA socket under the keyboard? I've certainly got no problem with slipping a DIMM into a socket on the bottom of the PC but I'd rather not disassemble the machine the day it comes in.

I was looking at using Crucial as a supplier of the extra DIMM; I've had good luck with them in the past. Has anyone here had any issues with Crucial RAM on a 1520?

Crucial lists both a PC2-5300 and PC2-6400 DIMM for the notebook; the 6400 has a major premium over the 5300. Is there any reason to go with the 6400 when I'm going to have PC2-5300 RAM in the other socket from Dell? I don't want to pay the premium for a 1-2% increase in performance.

If I go "crazy" and order 4Gb of RAM, how much system memory will I end up with in Vista/32 if I go with the 256Mb video card?

I've seen several comments here about using RAM from Newegg, which is a supplier I certainly like and use. Any specific recommendations as to which brands to go with?

 

The reason to go with the 6400 is that it would be usable in the future. It may or may not be worth it (usually not from my experience) as the current use memory generally has lower prices. Meaning that by the time that 6400 is the norm, the prices will have lowered and it is not worth investing in it now. Especially since memory is removable.

As far as going "crazy", it is pretty easy on the wallet to go "crazy" right now since memory prices as relatively low. Will the low prices last? Will the prices go lower? It depends. You can look at the forcasts, which could be wrong as they are simply predictions. Getting more than you need whilst it is affordable is a good selling point should you decide to sell in the future. Otherwise I am not sure if you will notice depending on your computer usage, but apps could get greedier in the future so you would be prepared in that case also.

In sum, get the lower memory, and go "crazy" if the price is something that you think is worth it.

 

As for as I know the 6400DDR2 will not run at 800mhz on the 1520s, it will get downclocked to 667mhz I think. If you plan on using the memory for a while or maybe switching it to a notebook with a 800mhz compatible motherboard, then spend the extra money. I dont think its really worth it though, its hard to notice the difference in memory speeds. I just popped in two dimms of Crucial into my Dell and have had no problems. Crucial make the best and you wont have any problems with them in a 1520. Good luck.

 

I expect to use this notebook for about the next 3 years, so planning for the future on memory expansion is silly.

What about the memory locations? Will the 1Gb factory RAM come in the socket under the keyboard? Or are there actually two sockets on the bottom?

On a system with 4Gb of RAM, how much actual RAM does Vista/32 think you have? I know that some will be hidden in the upper range. If it goes to 3.25Gb, it's probably not worth spending another $80 bucks on a second 2Gb RAM chip to replace the 1Gb I'll order with.

Dell is completely in lala land as far as RAM prices; $250 to go from 1Gb to 3Gb is nuts!

 

Theres one on the bottom of the machine.

Remove the hinge cover, lift the keyboard away, and there is the second one.

If you bought the machine with 1GB of memory, each socket will have 1x 512mb stick of ram. That is how it runs in 'dual channel'.

4GB is useless on 32Bit windows or any 32 bit OS period. Only 3/3.5GB is seen and used by the OS.

Dell isn't the only one that over charges for ram. All vendors do. They figure, people are scared to do it there self. So there only option to to get the machine with the ram already. So they soak the hell out of the inexperienced users. All vendors do this..

Just buy 2 sticks of 1GB of ram, rather 5300 or 5400, it doesn't matter they are the same it's just a company 'label'. Companies calculate the ram differently. It actually runs at 5331 or so, what would you call it 5300 or 5400? Don't bother with anything higher. Waste of money.

Cheers

 

If you are planning to reuse the memory for future systems (say before a year from now), you can opt for the PC2-6400 memory. Nevertheless, given the rapid changes in technology and contant price drops, it is recommended you stick with PC2-5300 for now.

If you order 1GB of memory with your Inspiron 1520, Dell will provide 2x512MB memory modules, one of them installed in the socket underneath the keyboard and the other at the socket at the bottom of the notebook.

Upgrading to 4GB (2x2GB) of memory will result in at least 3GB of usable memory in any 32-bit operating systems.

You can try memory from Transcend, they are as good as Crucial or OCZ without a high price. Currently, you can get 4GB (2x2GB) PC2-5300 memory for your notebook around $100. Check here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820208341

Here is a guide to remove and replace your memory: http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins1520/en/sm/memory.htm#wp1180190

How else can I help you?

 

LMFAO @ sinstoic

sad..

 

another guide to replacing the ram under the keyboard...

http://pctipguys.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=39&Itemid=1

 

When I hit reply, your post wasn't there. You were faster by 10 minutes.

 

I'd have sworn that the Dell listing said 1 DIMM for the 1Gb option, but I went back and looked and it doesn't. I forgot that they'd have to split the RAM to get dual channel. I do wonder how they get 3Gb of shared dual-channel RAM as an option, however...

I may just add 2Gb to the bottom memory slot and be done with it for now. It should work, although not dual channel, right? That'll give me 2.5Gb of RAM. Later on I could try replacing the RAM under the keyboard if I feel a strong need. I've had an Inspiron 6000 box that far apart (to get to wireless card) so I know I can do it if I need to; I'd just rather not do it.

OCZ RAM at Newegg looks to be almost exactly as expensive as Crucial's RAM. The suggested Transcend is cheaper, but I think I'll be more comfortable with using Crucial so I'll go that way.

So it'll indeed run split between one 2Gb chip and one 512Mb chip, although I'll lose a small percentage of performance to losing dual channel?

I'd take B2's suggestion of just buying a pair of 1Gbs, but for $25 more I can buy a single 2Gb chip and end up with 512Mb more RAM, although the whole thing will be 1-2% slower (loss of dual channel), and I don't have to disassemble the display and keyboard to do it. Sometimes convenience wins over a (small) price difference,

Thanks to all of you; you were helpful.

 

Can anybody confirm that, cause I'm planning on buying the 1520 in few days and I want to sell the 2g 667mhz it came with and replace with 2x 2g ddr800. not really for future laptops but more for just a bit more juice. And also replace the 2x 160G 5400rpm with 1 x 7200rpm <size depending on whats the best price>

 

Yes, it is true. Your system can run the memory at 667MHz even though you have the 800MHz memory. 200GB 7200RPM hard drive is the best you can have in your system.

 

What B2TheEYo said. I just got my 1520 and it had 2x512mb DIMM. Changing them is no problem - I had practice on my wife's 1720, the process is almost exactly the same (except the 1520 has fewer screws, but has the keyboard cable/socket over the DIMMA - freaked me out when the keyobard cable went flying out). My wife got OCZ, I got 2x1gb 5300 Kingston RAM at a great price.