kdawg53188

Hello, I currently have 2 GB of DDR2 PC2-4200, I was wondering if it would be worth it to purchase a new 2 GB kit of PC2-5300 RAM? Another question I have is why does Dell and Crucial say that I can only have a max of 2 GB installed and other sources like Si-Sandra say I can have 4 GB. I would think I could have 4 GB because im running vista home prem 32-bit. I know it wont see all 4gb, but shouldn't it support up to that much regardless? I am just trying to figure out the best setup to maximize performance because I don't game alot, but im a web designer and i always have a couple adobe programs pulled up, with multiple web browsers, along with different folders opened up and i can really tell that im pushin the limits of it already. Thanks in advance.

Here is my system info if it helps.

SiSoftware Sandra


System Memory Controller
Location : Mainboard
Error Correction Capability : None
Number of Memory Slots : 2
Maximum Installable Memory : 4GB
Bank 1 - DIMM_A : Hyundai Electronics HYMP512S64BP8-C4 04008232 410709 DIMM Synchronous DDR 1GB/64 @ 533MHz
Bank 2 - DIMM_B : Hyundai Electronics HYMP512S64BP8-C4 00005249 410709 DIMM Synchronous DDR 1GB/64 @ 533MHz

Chipset
Model : Dell 955XM/945GM/PM/GMS/940GML Express Processor to DRAM Controller
Revision : A4
Bus : Intel AGTL+
Front Side Bus Speed : 4x 133MHz (532MHz)
Maximum FSB Speed : 4x 200MHz (800MHz)
Width : 64-bit
I/O Queue Depth : 12 request(s)
Maximum Bus Bandwidth : 4.16GB/s

Chipset 1 Hub Interface
Type : DMI (Direct Media Interface)
Version : 1.00
Number of Ports : 4
In/Out Width : 4-bit / 4-bit
Multiplier : 3/1x
Speed : 1x 100MHz (100MHz)

Logical/Chipset Memory Banks
Bank 0 : 512MB DDR2 4-4-4-12 8-16-4-2 1T
Bank 1 : 512MB DDR2 4-4-4-12 8-16-4-2 1T
Bank 4 : 512MB DDR2 4-4-4-12 8-16-4-2 1T
Bank 5 : 512MB DDR2 4-4-4-12 8-16-4-2 1T
Supported Memory Types : DDR2
Channels : 2
Memory Bus Speed : 4x 133MHz (532MHz)
Maximum Memory Speed : 4x 167MHz (668MHz)
Multiplier : 1/1x
Width : 64-bit
Memory Controller in Processor : No
Refresh Rate : 7.80µs
Power Save Mode : No
Fixed Hole Present : No
Maximum Memory Bus Bandwidth : 8.31GB/s

APIC 1
Version : 2.00
Multiplier : 1/2x
Maximum Interrupts : 24
IRQ Handler Engaged : Yes
Enhanced Support : Yes

Environment Monitor 1
Model : Intel Core CPU [P1, C2, M1]
Version : 15.02
Mainboard Specific Support : No

Temperature Sensor(s)
CPU Temperature : 54.00°C td

System Bus(es) on Hub 1
Version : 2.30
System Bus 0 : PCI
System Bus 1 : PCIe 1.00 x16 2.5Gbps
System Bus 3 : PCI66
System Bus 11 : PCIe 1.00 x1 2.5Gbps
System Bus 12 : PCIe 1.00 x1 2.5Gbps
System Bus 13 : PCIe 1.00 x1 2.5Gbps

LPC Hub Controller 1
Model : Dell 82801GBM (ICH7-M) LPC Interface Controller
Revision : A2
ACPI Power Management Enabled : Yes
Advanced TCO Mode Support : Yes
Advanced TCO Mode Enabled : No
High Precision Timer Enabled : Yes
Number of Precision Timers : 3
System Timer : 14.32MHz
Delayed Transaction Enabled : Yes

wrench97

The chipset may support more which is what your seeing in sandra but because it's a laptop custom board the voltage circuits or Bois will not support it, Stick with what Dell and Crucial say. From 4200 to 5300 I doubt you would see much difference.

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kdawg53188

I see, so you dont think spending the extra $50 bucks would be worth it? do you have any other recommendations to upgrade? maybe a new graphics card? im not for sure how well an ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 ranks next to the others.....thanks again for your help and opinion

kdawg53188

no suggestions?

wrench97

Laptops are not upgradeable like desktops I don't believe on a 1705 the graphics are a separate board, rather a chipset on the motherboard.

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grimx133

This is pasted in from the service manual.

Quote:
NOTE: A removable (or discrete) video card is optional and present only if ordered by the customer. Standard video is integrated on the system board and is not customer removable.
NOTE: Based on the selections that you made when purchasing your computer, the computer may have different video controller configurations. Configurations with a removable (discrete) video card include a video card thermal-cooling assembly. Configurations with an integrated video card do not include a video card/thermal-cooling assembly. To determine the computer's configuration, see the Windows Help and Support Center or see "Determining Your Computer's Configuration" in your computer's Owner's Manual.
End Quote.

The x1400 is a discrete video card. The video card/thermal cooling assembly is all one piece and you buy a replacement with the works. You would probably have to contact Dell about it as I believe they use a proprietary video card slot on the motherboard. Go to Dell's site and download the service manual, it is quite comprehensive in exactly how and in what order to remove parts.
I have the x1400 in my 9400 and it's been fine for my purposes, but if your a gamer you may want to see about upgrading to something better. Wonder if the 8800m GTX would fit?

Edit: I also think that the standard video only has one fan and that's at the back left. If you have one in the back right, you have a discrete card. Also you wouldn't have the heatpipe that's there. Of course, having the x1400, you'll have all that stuff.

kdawg53188

Thank you for that information. That really helps me understand everything better. Well it looks like im pretty limited to what i can do i guess. Since it wont bother me to spend an extra $50 or so, i think i might just go ahead and purchase a new 2gb of pc2-5300 ram and leave it at that. Now i guess my only issue is what brand. Consair is currently in it so i woulndt think i could go wrong with sticking to it, but i have also heard great things about Crucial and Kingston.........

wrench97

Use the Crucial or Corsair I've always had good luck with them.

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