New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Upgrading m5750 myself

post #1 of 20
8/31/06 at 5:51pm
Thread Starter 
Hi,

while reading through the posts I decided go with the lowest configuration from AW and upgrade RAM and DISK later on. I have 2 questions:

- Newegg offers two types of DDR2

2GB (2 x 1GB) 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) (CAS latency 5)
2GB (2 x 1GB) 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) (CAS latency 4)

Which one to buy? I understood, since CPU runs on 667MHz FSB it is better to have the same frequency RAM. However some reviews say it is better to go with lower CAS latency modules !

- As for the HDD:

I got 60GB 5400 from AW and I was thinking to get another to configure RAID0 myself. What kind of disks AW puts into their machines? What would be a recommended disk to buy to match the one thats comes in default configuration? Or is it better to buy pair of similar new disks?

Thanks for advice.


__________________

Area-51® m5750
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T5600 1.83GHz
17" WideXGA+ 1440 x 900 LCD
256MB ATI Mobility™ Radeon® X1800
2 x 256MB DDR2 667 RAM
Single 60g HDD

Phase 1 - 8/28
Phase 2 - 8/30
Phase 3 - 8/30
Estimated shipping - 9/4 (I doubt... )
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 20
8/31/06 at 7:32pm
congrats on the system n welcome to the forums.

go w/ the 667 ram stay w/ the same latency that the laptop came w/...

it's not like a desktop where you can play around and tweak your ram...so stick w/ what works...

I believe the hdd's are seagate, but I honestly don't know...maybe a current 5750 owner can chime in on the hdd manufacturer
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 20
8/31/06 at 7:41pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks,

I am really excited about having my first AW - also great to see such a community around it!

As for RAM - I did some search but have not found any reasonable 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 667 having CAS 4 as they advertise in AW configurator!

As for Disk I understood that for performance issues it is important to have 2 similar disks in RAID0 - I guess I will see after arrives.
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 20
8/31/06 at 8:49pm
I would wait on both memory and hd to see what is in it before ordering supplemental parts. You can combine different drives in RAID, but it's best to go with the same kind of drives. If they're different sizes you lose the extra space on the bigger drive...

AW uses the best drives they can get a supply for, so sometimes they change makes, so if someone else get's a seagate, it doesn't necessarily mean you will too...
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 20
8/31/06 at 9:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Yang88She
I believe the hdd's are seagate, but I honestly don't know...maybe a current 5750 owner can chime in on the hdd manufacturer
Mine was a Fujitsu. I still dont know where that second HDD goes!!!!!!!!!
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 20
8/31/06 at 9:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tinymouse
Thanks,

I am really excited about having my first AW - also great to see such a community around it!

As for RAM - I did some search but have not found any reasonable 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 667 having CAS 4 as they advertise in AW configurator!

Check Newegg for Mushkin RAM (this is what I run). Get yourself two of the 1gb DDR2 667mhz PC2 5400 (or PC2 5300). Should cost you around 180 shipped. You can go cheaper if you want. I heard some good things about the G.Skill (My friend runs 2gbs of that in his notebook and its flawless) RAM and also the OCZ RAM.
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 20
8/31/06 at 10:09pm
Yea my HDD is a Fujitsu.
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 20
9/1/06 at 9:28pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks a lot for tips. I'll wait with upgrades after lands. It is still in phase 3! I am getting more and more anxious!

__________________

Area-51® m5750
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T5600 1.83GHz
17" WideXGA+ 1440 x 900 LCD
256MB ATI Mobility™ Radeon® X1800
2 x 256MB DDR2 667 RAM
Single 60g HDD

Phase 1 - 8/28
Phase 2 - 8/30
Phase 3 - 8/30
Estimated shipping - 9/4 (I doubt... )
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 20
9/2/06 at 2:06pm
Well checked around the knowledge base about the second HDD. It goes under the left wrist rest... which was where I originally thought it would go. I didnt recieve the HDD tray or hardware for it though I guess I will need to call them and see about getting that sent to me.
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 20
9/5/06 at 2:00pm
Thread Starter 
Oh! That is something that I did not expect! I'm gonna call sales to make sure they include it in my order.

Thank you for advice Kalison!

__________________

Area-51® m5750
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T5600 1.83GHz
17" WideXGA+ 1440 x 900 LCD
256MB ATI Mobility™ Radeon® X1800
2 x 256MB DDR2 667 RAM
Single 60g HDD

Phase 1 - 8/28
Phase 2 - 8/30
Phase 3 - 8/30
Phase 4 - 9/05
Original Estimated shipping - 9/4
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 20
9/5/06 at 8:14pm
Thread Starter 
Just so you know... After 30 minutes on the phone of explaining my question to Mike from AW CS I was not able to find out whether they gonna supply my m5750 with the second HDD rack/mount for future upgrade to RAID0! It felt like I am talking to somebody who just read his first book "Computers for Dummies"! I guess I have too high expectations to anticipate CS agents understand the systems they are selling. I am VERY disappointed with the CS quality! The only thing I can wait until I get and figure it out myself... Hope I am not gonna regret chosing AlienWare since I can see recently so many issues with their laptops ...


__________________

Area-51® m5750
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T5600 1.83GHz
17" WideXGA+ 1440 x 900 LCD
256MB ATI Mobility™ Radeon® X1800
2 x 256MB DDR2 667 RAM
Single 60g HDD

Phase 1 - 8/28
Phase 2 - 8/30
Phase 3 - 8/30
Phase 4 - 9/05
Original Estimated shipping - 9/4
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 20
9/6/06 at 12:06am
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 20
9/6/06 at 1:34am
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 20
9/6/06 at 2:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kalison
I was talking to Tech support when I requested the HDD Tray/Cage and cables. He said it would be no problem to send them. He offered that I should wait and order the drive from them and they would send the cage. This way it would be warranty work if something happened. I opted out, and he said he would send the kit out for me no problem.

I didnt care about support of the RAID array or the software on it... I work with RAID Arrays enough.

Very Good!!!
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 20
9/6/06 at 2:44pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks guys for support! This time I sent an email to sales dept because I did not want to deal with incompetent CS agents anymore! And guess what - got reply...

In regards to your inquiry, the metal holder for the secondary hard drive will come with your notebook.

In the future if you will like to add a secondary hard drive to your system, you can contact technical support and they will advise you with the best option. They can also help you install the part.

The lesson is not to give up, right, PEPSI ?



__________________

Area-51® m5750
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T5600 1.83GHz
17" WideXGA+ 1440 x 900 LCD
256MB ATI Mobility™ Radeon® X1800
2 x 256MB DDR2 667 RAM
Single 60g HDD

Phase 1 - 8/28
Phase 2 - 8/30
Phase 3 - 8/30
Phase 4 - 9/05
Original Estimated shipping - 9/4
Reply
Reply
post #16 of 20
9/6/06 at 3:02pm
great info guys, thanks for the 411.

I honestly don't think I'll be adding another hdd to my lappy...I have an external 300gb...

I honestly wouldn't care for the added weight of a 2nd hdd (not that I'm a weenie man) but I like to have the least amount of weight as possible n keep it as mobile as possible =P

but then again it would be nice to have EVERYTHING w/ you on the go =D
Reply
Reply
post #17 of 20
9/6/06 at 3:11pm
Reply
Reply
post #18 of 20
9/6/06 at 3:39pm
Word of advice if it hasnt been said the tan plastic peices that hold the RAM in place are very brittle.
Reply
Reply
post #19 of 20
9/6/06 at 4:19pm
ugh oh,...did u break 1?
Reply
Reply
post #20 of 20
9/6/06 at 6:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Yang88She
ugh oh,...did u break 1?
Why yes I did I had to take out the two sticks of ram and run the machine on one because well thats what you're supposed too do! They told me too pull on the tan part and I did just slight with not much force and one of them broke. Very thin little plastic. Looked at it and its pretty useless and just something that seems to get in the way. I guess its there for a spring like effect but I was able too put the ram sticks back in and out with no problem. However i'm sure some members would get pissed like me if that happens.
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home