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Considering Dell 6400, help w/ memory & video card.

post #1 of 9
10/18/06 at 5:30pm
Thread Starter 
This is the computer I have configured.

Inspiron 6400
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T7400 (4MB Cache/2.16GHz/667MHz FSB)
enuine Windows® XP Professional
15.4 inch UltraSharp™ Wide Screen SXGA+ Display with TrueLife™
2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHZ, 2 DIMM
FREE Upgrade to 256MB ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON® X1400 HyperMemory™
160GB SATA Hard Drive
Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
Dell Draft N Internal Wireless
85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
3 Yr Return to Depot Service with 3 Yr Complete Care and 3 Yr Tech Support
Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Internal (2.0 + Enhanced Data Rate)
Genuine Windows® XP Professional re-installation CD
TOTAL: $2,042.00CAD
%12 EPP discount (I get this through my work)
Total: $1,800.00CAD

I am learning towards a Dell because of:
- Good warranty
- My EPP discount
- Being Canadian, no worries about buying from USA and then having to deal with warranties.

The main things I wanted in a notebook were:
- Core 2 Duo
- 2Gb memory
- minimum WXGA+/WSXGA screen (1440x1024?)
- A video card able to play most games. Minimum resolution for newer ones is fine. This is not my main gaming computer. WC3, CS:S, HL2 @ medium/high res. FEAR, BF2 @ medium/low res
- 3 to 4 hour battery while web surfing

My big questions are:
- How big of an improvement would 667MHz memory be over the 533MHz?
- Can the 6400 run 2GB of 667MHz memory @ full speed? Dell said no, can anyone confirm?
- Is this video card sufficiant for my needs or do I need a better one?
- I plan on buying this computer in January. Are computer prices generally cheaper or more expensive after the holiday season?

Thank you. All suggestions and opinions are welcome.
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post #2 of 9
10/18/06 at 8:08pm
The X1400 will run most of todays games at Medium or High settings so you are in good shape,I can play HL2 Episode1 at High settings and FEAR averages 46FPS at Medium settings, as far as the RAM issue 667 will not be a large jump over 533 but why hamper your system with slower RAM, and yes your laptop will run it at true speeds, I have 2Gig of 667 in my E1505 and its runs great...Enjoy your laptop it looks sweet!!!!!

E1505 T2400 1.83 Core Duo
WSXGA+ Truelife
X1400 256Mb
2Gig DDR2 667 Kingston
80Gig Hd 5400
8XDVD+R/-R Dual Sony
3945 Wireless
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post #3 of 9
10/18/06 at 8:22pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by warlord
The X1400 will run most of todays games at Medium or High settings so you are in good shape,I can play HL2 Episode1 at High settings and FEAR averages 46FPS at Medium settings, as far as the RAM issue 667 will not be a large jump over 533 but why hamper your system with slower RAM, and yes your laptop will run it at true speeds, I have 2Gig of 667 in my E1505 and its runs great...Enjoy your laptop it looks sweet!!!!!

E1505 T2400 1.83 Core Duo
WSXGA+ Truelife
X1400 256Mb
2Gig DDR2 667 Kingston
80Gig Hd 5400
8XDVD+R/-R Dual Sony
3945 Wireless

I wish it was my laptop now, I am still shopping. That is what I had configured at the Dell site. Would you be able to run cpu-z (http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php) and paste a picture of the memory page so I can see the specs at which it runs? It would be very much appreciated.
Also, where do I buy laptop RAM? (I am in Canada so it must ship to Canada)

Thank you so much for your help
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post #4 of 9
10/18/06 at 10:47pm
Here is a breakdown on my present system running your program..
CPU
Intel Core Duo T2400 1.83GHz
Code-Yonah
Package-Socket 479 mPGA
Core speed-1628.7
Multiplier-x 11.0
Bus Speed- 166.2Mhz
Rated FSB-665.0Mhz (As you can see its running at almost 667)
L1 Data-2x32 KBytes
L1 Code-2x32 KBytes
Level 2-2048 KBytes
Memory
Type-DDR2
Size- 2048 MBytes
Channel- Dual
Frequency-332.5 Mhz
FSB DRAM-1:2
CAS#Latency-5.0 Clocks
RAS#to CAS#Delay-5 Clocks
RAS#Precharge-5 Clocks
Cycle Time (Tras)- 15 Clocks
Bank Cycle Time (Trc)- 21 Clocks
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post #5 of 9
10/19/06 at 12:12am
Thread Starter 
Thank you very much I am very happy now .
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post #6 of 9
11/2/06 at 1:53am
Man The price sucks
I caught the 25% off here in Canada and I ordered

T7200
15.4 inch UltraSharp™ WiSXGA+
1G Memory
ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 256Mb
DVD/CD-ROM Drives TSSTcorp DVD+-RW TS-L632D
Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG
HARD DRIVE, 120G, Serial ATA, 9, 54, SAMSUNG
9 Cell Battery
85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
3 Yr Return to Depot Service with 3 Yr Complete Care and 3 Yr Tech Support
Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Internal (2.0 + Enhanced Data Rate)

for around 1500$ Canadian
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post #7 of 9
11/2/06 at 4:51pm
I don't know if the sale is still going on, but www.ca.buy.com had a great sale on 2GB laptop memory kits. Manufacturer of the RAM is ACP-EP (so... generic) but at $159 for 2GB I took the risk.
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post #8 of 9
11/2/06 at 6:30pm
I wanna buy 2gigs for my 6400, didnt knew it was compatible with 667.

Is there a huge difference between 667 and 533 in the price and performance?

Thanks
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post #9 of 9
11/3/06 at 12:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ishuaia
I wanna buy 2gigs for my 6400, didnt knew it was compatible with 667. Is there a huge difference between 667 and 533 in the price and performance? Thanks
As far as I've heard, there's not a big difference in terms of price or performance between the 533 and 667. I know the bus speed of the 6400 is 667, so that's why I went for it, but it can run 533 just fine.
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