upgrading RAM on Dell inspiron 1525

shorty28898

So i downloaded Speccy to see what my current specs are for memory and got this:
Total memory slots 2
Used memory slots 2
Free memory slots 0
Memory
Type DDR2
Size 3072 MBytes
Channels # Dual
DRAM Frequency 332.4 MHz
CAS# Latency (CL) 5 clocks
RAS# to CAS# Delay (tRCD) 5 clocks
RAS# Precharge (tRP) 5 clocks
Cycle Time (tRAS) 15 clocks
SPD
Number Of SPD Modules 2
Slot #1
Type DDR2
Size 2048 MBytes
Manufacturer Samsung
Max Bandwidth PC2-5300 (333 MHz)
Part Number M4 70T5663QZ3-CE6
Serial Number 271BDB4B
Week/year 18 / 08
SPD Ext. EPP
JEDEC #3
Frequency 333.3 MHz
CAS# Latency 5.0
RAS# To CAS# 6
RAS# Precharge 6
tRAS 16
tRC 21
Voltage 1.800 V
JEDEC #2
Frequency 266.7 MHz
CAS# Latency 4.0
RAS# To CAS# 4
RAS# Precharge 4
tRAS 12
tRC 16
Voltage 1.800 V
JEDEC #1
Frequency 200.0 MHz
CAS# Latency 3.0
RAS# To CAS# 3
RAS# Precharge 3
tRAS 9
tRC 12
Voltage 1.800 V
Slot #2
Type DDR2
Size 1024 MBytes
Manufacturer Samsung
Max Bandwidth PC2-5300 (333 MHz)
Part Number M4 70T2953EZ3-CE6
Serial Number 6137B660
Week/year 26 / 08
SPD Ext. EPP
JEDEC #3
Frequency 333.3 MHz
CAS# Latency 5.0
RAS# To CAS# 6
RAS# Precharge 6
tRAS 16
tRC 21
Voltage 1.800 V
JEDEC #2
Frequency 266.7 MHz
CAS# Latency 4.0
RAS# To CAS# 4
RAS# Precharge 4
tRAS 12
tRC 16
Voltage 1.800 V
JEDEC #1
Frequency 200.0 MHz
CAS# Latency 3.0
RAS# To CAS# 3
RAS# Precharge 3
tRAS 9
tRC 12
Voltage 1.800 V

that being said, i know i can have 4 gb (at least i thought so)could someone point me in the direction of the best upgrade? how do these compare (and which one)http://www.memorystock.com/memory/DellInspiron15251525se.html

Tushon

http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=D67ECC70A5CA7304

That. You already have 1x2GB, so you would want to replace your 1x1GB stick (which is currently in slot 2)

shorty28898

would updating the 1x2gb into a better 1x2gb make a noticeable difference?

Tushon

There would be a non-zero increase, as the max supported speed is PC2-6400. However, it is unlikely that your day-to-day use would see much improvement.

http://www.crucial.com/store/partspecs.aspx?imodule=CT25664AC800 is an appropriate PC2-6400 stick. You would need to buy 2 to see the speed actually go up.

Kokoleka

Hi,

I am looking to add RAM to our Dell XPS410. After reading this thread, I went to the Crucial site and found these three among the recommendations. I'm not sure which one to chose, don't know much about the details of RAM, hoping someone will help me!:)

Our computer has 2 sticks of 512 in 2 of the 4 slots available. I decided to get 2x 1gb sticks, to make a total of 3gb. I read that only 3gb would be recognized by a 32bit OS, is that correct? So, I see no need to get 4gb, is that also correct?

My goal is to eventually make playing games a better experience for us, my kids and I play LotRO, WoW and DDO. In a reply to an earlier post about this, it was suggested to start with RAM and a new graphics card, I can't do both right now so I am starting with RAM.

The Specs of each are listed below. I don't know what the numbers mean, and they are the difference between the recommendations, could you tell me which one is best for our computer?

Also, I read that sometimes an updated BIOS is needed for a faster memory? I don't know if this is "faster" memory but would that be the case here?

http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/viewscanbyid.aspx?id=446B3C9431D926C3

Not sure I did the link thing right, so I listed the specs here:

DDR2 PC2-5300 • CL=5 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR2-667 • 1.8V • 128Meg x 64 •

DDR2 PC2-6400 • CL=6 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR2-800 • 1.8V • 128Meg x 64 •

DDR2 PC2-6400 • 4-4-4-12 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR2-800 • 2.0V • 128Meg x 64 • This one has a brand name on it (Ballistix)

Your time is greatly appreciated!

Tushon

You are correct that a 32 bit OS will only detect 3.x GBs of RAM.

Use CPU-Z to find out the current RAM speed and match that. Worst case, you buy the middle choice (don't need the Ballistix) and it runs at 5300 anyways (since they are the same price, buy the 6400 anyways).

I would recommend updating BIOS (link) and any other drivers, as they may squeeze a little more performance out of the machine. A few of those will require you to look at device manager to determine your exact device (network card, for example)

There are lots of "wow" level video cards for <$100, so hopefully that won't be too far off for you. Let us know if you want some recs there.

Kokoleka

Thanks so much for the help, Tushon! I updated several things from the link, I've never seen that download page before while looking for other updates!

In CPU-Z:
Under the SPD tab and for Slot#s 1 & 3 were Max Bandwidth PC2-5300(333MHz)
Is this the current RAM speed?
If so, and I get the 6400, is there a chance it will work better?

Finding out there are video cards for <$100 that will run the games we want is AWESOME!:) When the time comes I'll be posting again for those recs! Thanks!

Tushon

So your current memory is 5300. If you get the 6400, it will run at 5300 speed to match the current memory.

This guide would be an excellent choice comparison (came out in May, so it has most of the recent cards). To get a decent card, you'd want to spend ~150, but you can get some for sub 100 if you aren't wanting to future proof it at all.

Tushon

http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/53085/superbiiz-sapphire-radeon-hd-5770-1gb-gddr5-pci-express-video-card

82 after rebate with $3 shipping for a rocking card. I rocked a 5770 for a long while

SuperStrife

Something crazy here that might be out of your budgets, but if you have a compatible motherboard and are willing to play with your OS a bit, http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ram-memory-upgrade,2778-3.html
is a pretty cool idea on how to achieve great preformance while still in the 32bit realm.