Dell Vostro 1500: possible to add Intel Turbo Memory module ("Robson") ?

Hi,

I'm thinking about purchasing a Dell Vostro 1500 laptop, and was wondering (for future reference) if it is possible to add Turbo Memory to this laptop? (I have read about the pros and cons of turbo memory, and am not even sure if I will in fact get a 1Gb module in future - I'd just be interested to know if it's possible, just in case I decide it would be worth having later on!).

I note that the Vostro (according to the specs) has "3 mini-card" Internal Card Slots - are these where a turbo memory module can be installed? The spec of laptop I'm interested in will include an internal Bluetooth module, plus an Intel Draft-N Wireless card - so am I correct in assuming that these are installed in 2 of the 3 internal card slots, leaving one free for something else (for example, a turbo memory card)?

Just curious...

Thanks in advance for any info, and good luck to those getting the Dell Vostro - they seem like fantastic laptops (if specification at least, and value for money) - can't wait to see some reviews!

P.S. Are there any real differences at all between the Inspiron 1520 and the Vostro 1500 (apart from colours, plus price - Vostro seems quite a bit cheaper for the same spec, at least here in the UK) ?? Cheers...

 

Yup, it'll work in any of the mini card slots. They're all labeled for use with FCM anyways.

 

The online manual at Dell shows where the mini-pci cards are installed. If I recall correctly the bluetooth isn't installed in a mini-pci slot- it goes somewhere above the keyboard. Although there is a different bluetooth, WPAN, which does go in a mini-pci slot.

 

Hi,

Thanks for the information. I didn't realise Dell have the manuals for download! Anyway, I've just looked in the Vostro "Owner's Manual", and indeed there is a special internal PCI slot for the "Flash Cache Module" (which I assume is Turbo Memory?). I can't see (at least on the Dell UK site) any mention of being able to purchase the module though (or how much it costs) - but at least I know it can be added later if required.

See: http://support.euro.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/vos1500/en/om_en/pdf/TT979A01.pdf

(Page 177 = "Flash Cache Module")

Nedediah - you are correct, the internal Bluetooth module is above the keyboard - see pages 179 - 180 in the above PDF manual.

Many thanks!

 

I have done it on an Inspiron 1520. It was really easy, and performance has increased noticably enough to make it worth it.

 

Yep, it is possible. A if you get the 17'inch you can add UWB

 

Ooh, just noticed you're a UK person. I got mine through Amazon from a company called T.M.Finnegan. Comes highly recommeded.

 

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the info - just found it on Amazon for £16.30, so not too expensive (will shop around a bit though) - do you reckon it is worth getting? I've heard it can also help to increase battery life.

EDIT: just noticed your comment:

- sounds great! A low-cost performance boost!

Also, I note that you have the same specifications for you Inspiron 1520 as I'm thinking of getting for my Vostro (the price for same spec Vostro is £863.70 [which includes VAT & delivery], i.e. T7300, 2GB RAM, 160GB HD, NVIDIA 8600M GT 256mb, 1440 x 900 TrueLife screen, Intel Draft-N wireless card, Bluetooth, 2 megapixel webcam, 9 cell battery, Windows Vista ULTIMATE - does that sound like a good deal?). How do you like the Inspiron? I was thinking of getting an Acer Aspire 5920, and I still haven't decided for certain, but the Vostro/Inspiron 15xx seems like better value for the specifications you get (only the sound / speakers are probably not as good [no Dolby surround and less bass], plus there's no DVI/HDVI connector on the Vostro/Inspiron, but I don't think that bothers me really - no High-Definition TV here!).

 

The standard bluetooth adapter goes into a internal usb slot, above the keyboard.

 

I see Dell sells the 1GB FCM module as an accessory for $169. That seems high compared to the amazon.com price!!

Can someone post the link to the amazon.com item? I searched but could not find it.

Thanks!

 

Is it possible to install two 1GB FCM's? The Vostro 1500 has got two slots marked "FCM".

Thanks.

 

No.
http://news.com.com/HP+says+no+to+Intels+Turbo+Memory/2100-1004_3-6188531.html

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-list...e=380345&creativeASIN=B000Q82V1W&linkCode=asm

The Intel product code for the 1GB Intel Turbo Memory Card is NVCPEMWR001G110
Froogle for "NVCPEMWR001G110" to find online shops selling it:
http://www.google.com/products?q=NVCPEMWR001G110&scoring=p
Cheapest price at www.Froogle.com currently: $24.20


From the Dell XPS M1330 manual:

 

Investigating Intel's Turbo Memory: Does it really work?
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/intel/showdoc.aspx?i=3009

 

would this work on vostro 1500 with T5470 (1.6ghz) im seeing they are for sansa rosa chips only but isnt the T5470 a merom core? or is it sansa rosa? im interested in buying the 1gb card from amazon, but i want to know it will work in my laptop first.

 

Yes Vostro 1500 also supports Intel Turbo Memory - or Flash Cache Module (FCM) as Dell calls it.

Read about FCM in the Vostro 1500 manual: http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/vos1500/


Intel Turbo Memory requires an Intel 965 Express chipset (codename Crestline) (Santa Rosa plaform) and Windows Vista.
According to Dell's ordering site, Vostro 1500 with T5470 has a 800 MHz FSB, and a 800 FSB means it has an Intel 965 Express chipset (Santa Rosa platform) . Older Intel mobile chipsets like 945 Expresse (codename Calistoga) (Napa platform) did not support an 800 MHz FSB.

Btw. Merom CPUs replaced Yonah CPUs before the Santa Rosa platform was introduced, so Merom CPUs was also used on the most recent Napa based laptops while older Napa laptops had Yonah CPUs.


As you can also see here, T5470 has a 800 MHz FSB:
http://www.intel.com/products/processor_number/chart/core2duo.htm


Intel® Turbo Memory
Release Notes
http://downloadmirror.intel.com/13805/ENG/ReleaseNotes.pdf