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Which memory brand to buy or is compatible with the i8600?

post #1 of 28
6/30/04 at 5:22pm
Thread Starter 
[Q1] Is it cheaper to buy another 512 Mb SODIMMs from elsewhere?
From the looks of Dell's notebook configurator, it seems Dell's memory
are highly overpriced!!!!
[Q2] What brand of memory does Dell use anyway?
[Q3] Which DDR333 memory modules are compatible with the Dell i8600?
[Q4] Does anyone know where I might be able to obtain them within
Melbourne, Australia? OR Do I have to buy them online from (say) Crucial?
[Q5] Does adding extra memory void Dell's warranty in any way?
[Q6] Is it easy to add the extra RAM by yourself, right? Just by opening
up some sort of hatch at the back of the notebook ... Anything I need to
be careful/cautious about aside from anti-static precautions?
[Q7] Regardless of which memory option I select under the customisation
options for DIMM memory, I am always told there are 2 user accessible memory
module sockets. Hmmz! Does this mean that the original RAM that I order is
placed into an area on the laptop's motherboard hidden from the user?
[Q8] Given 2 choices below with 0 price differential:
o 256 Mb (2x128) DDR Memory PC2700 SDRAM
o 256 Mb (1x256) DDR Memory PC2700 SDRAM

Which would be the best choice, and why? ;-)

BTW, choosing "256 Mb (2x128)" OR "512 Mb (2x256)" does not reduce the number
of user accessible SODIMM slots in any way.
However, the "512 Mb (1x512)" option is $138.60 (AU) more expensive than
the "512 Mb (2x256)" option. That is really weird!!! [0 price differential for
the 256 Mb SODIMM case as mentioned above.]

Thanks in advance for answering my questions.
=)

EDIT: Q3 re-worded properly:
Will any brand of 200-pin DDR333 memory modules be compatible with the Dell i8600?

Also, since Dell uses a different memory brand (I am still trying to find out what that brand is),
is it considered dodgy to mix and match memory brands as long as they are
DDR333 (and of course the same physical form factor)?
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post #2 of 28
6/30/04 at 5:35pm
DEFFINETELY cheaper to buy aftermarket ram.

Goto Crucial.com (or newegg.com)

for the 8600, you need 200-pin DDR soDIMM PC-2700
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post #3 of 28
6/30/04 at 5:37pm
You deffinetely want 1-dimm if thats the same price. 2-dimm 256mb would mean that you get 2 128mb filling up both slots.

Yes, it is extremely easy to add new ram yourself

and no, adding ram does not void dells warranty in anyway.
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post #4 of 28
6/30/04 at 6:30pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Evo
for the 8600, you need 200-pin DDR soDIMM PC-2700
Hi Evo

Where did you find out that the i8600 only supports 200-pin (form factor)
SODIMMs? I was looking through Dell's site on what brand memory and form factor they use for the i8600 ... haven't been able to locate that info yet! Any help will be highly appreciated.

Will any other brands like Corsair Micro and Kingmax work just as well as Crucial if they are 200-pin and DDR333? I am a bit reluctant to order the RAM from overseas for warranty reasons. Just having some trouble finding a shop in Melbourne which sells Crucial DDR333 SODIMMs suitable for the i8600.

Thanks for your help.
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post #5 of 28
6/30/04 at 6:42pm
Well, most portable notebook memory use 200pin to save space
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post #6 of 28
6/30/04 at 6:51pm
1). Yes.

2). Dunno.

3). Be more specific.

4). Nope, I live in the States. Talk to Sakor when he gets back, or search the forums. He said something about this a while ago.

5). No, unless you do something stupid like try to force it in with a hammer.

6). Yes ... No

7). Any RAM your order from Dell will fill up one or both of the slots.

8). Chose the 1x256MB. Gives you room to upgrade later.
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post #7 of 28
6/30/04 at 8:28pm
Read the whole page (not just the price) at Crucial

http://www.crucial.com/store/listpar...ries&submit=Go

and then look at the service manual

http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems...des.htm#999869
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post #8 of 28
6/30/04 at 10:23pm
I purchased 2 sticks of Kingmax memory at newegg for my 8600. Works great!
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post #9 of 28
6/30/04 at 11:39pm
I might purchase another 512mb tomorrow for my 8600, it comes soon and i only ordered with 512mb (1dimm). Its only sale for $99 (after rebate) locally, its Centon brand...
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post #10 of 28
7/1/04 at 2:11am
Thread Starter 

Is DELL-sakor1 contactable via e-mail?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wooster
4). Nope, I live in the States. Talk to Sakor when he gets back, or search the forums. He said something about this a while ago.
Man ... I really wish DELL-sakor1 (read ze Dell encyclopedia) was here.
I had a couple of questions that were more relevant to Australian Dell i8600 owners. Anyway, I will just keep shifting through his posts for his answer.

Thanks Wooster and everyone for your helpful replies.

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post #11 of 28
7/1/04 at 2:45am
Just to add to this post, I'd also second Crucial. I just purchased last week Corsair's 2700 SO-DIMM and it wouldn't POST, sent it back and took the 15% loss, bought Crucial. You can't go wrong with them but you'll pay the premium.
~GMCloud
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post #12 of 28
7/1/04 at 4:27am
FWIW... I'm a Field Apps Engineer for the Micron rep here in Florida. For a 512 MB module (PC2700) Dell calls out part # MT16VDDF6464HG335C2 under Electronics and Accessories. This is a Micron part #. This is also the same module you would receive from Crucial (Micron owns Crucial).

Dell link... http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/M...lection=162801

BTW... I just replaced my 1 year old Sony (P4 2.6) this past week with an 8600 (1.8 GHz). This machine is exactly what I was hoping for. Between the processor and the 7200 RPM HD this thing blows away my old system. The WUXGA display was worth every penny as well.

Tim
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post #13 of 28
7/1/04 at 5:20am
Thread Starter 
Thanks a lot for your comments, Tim Sloper. It helps a lot!
I am glad you liked the i8600. IMHO, it's the best Inspiron notebook so far, judging by what it's offering. The most important criterion for a notebook to me is the battery life. The i8600 offers a good battery life and at the same time the performance can be comparable to the i9100 (from what I have read in the Dell Reviews and Benchmarks forum)!

All that is left for me to do before I order my i8600 is find a shop in Melbourne that is selling those Crucial SODIMMs compatible with ze i8600.

If I cannot find a place ... I think I might have to order all my RAM from Dell ... That's going to blow out my $4K AU budget completely!

If you guys can find a link to the place in Australia where I can purchase Crucial RAM for the i8600 that DELL-sakor1 mentioned in one of his old posts please let me know.

Thanks a lot for your help, pplz.
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post #14 of 28
7/1/04 at 11:07am
Digitalman,

Crucial appears to ship to Australia. Is there a reason you can't order it directly from them and have it shipped? I do realize that by the time you are done with tariffs, shipping costs, etc. it might be cheaper just to add it when you order the laptop.


Tim
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post #15 of 28
7/1/04 at 12:59pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim Sloper
Digitalman,

Crucial appears to ship to Australia. Is there a reason you can't order it directly from them and have it shipped? I do realize that by the time you are done with tariffs, shipping costs, etc. it might be cheaper just to add it when you order the laptop.


Tim
After adding all the extra costs, buying from Dell turns out be the best option.
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post #16 of 28
7/1/04 at 4:28pm
What is so damn special about Crucial memory, maybe its just me but memory is memory...
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post #17 of 28
7/1/04 at 4:35pm
Not all memory is equal. And being one of the most vital components in any system, to keep a machine running as best it can using the best possible memory is worth more than the price for said memory IMO.

When you buy from the big names; Crucial, Kingston, etc, you know you are getting memory that meets there spec's. Often cheap, generic memory is actually memory modules from the big brands that don't meet their standards, thus they don't want to sell it with their name on it. They will however sell them to other 'generic' vendors who then sell it for cheap, because well it is.
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post #18 of 28
7/1/04 at 4:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by AxiomofIllusion
Not all memory is equal. And being one of the most vital components in any system, to keep a machine running as best it can using the best possible memory is worth more than the price for said memory IMO.

When you buy from the big names; Crucial, Kingston, etc, you know you are getting memory that meets there spec's. Often cheap, generic memory is actually memory modules from the big brands that don't meet their standards, thus they don't want to sell it with their name on it. They will however sell them to other 'generic' vendors who then sell it for cheap, because well it is.
I was going to buy Centon memory today... Is it that bad??
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post #19 of 28
7/1/04 at 4:42pm
Kingston doesn't make their own ram, they just put their name on it.
The ram only cost around couple dollars from oringinal ram manufactory, and name brands earn a lot of money just by putting their name on it.
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post #20 of 28
7/1/04 at 4:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by eli99x
I was going to buy Centon memory today... Is it that bad??
I have never used it, nor have I heard much about it.

Quote:
Originally Posted by yorkhung
Kingston doesn't make their own ram, they just put their name on it.
The ram only cost around couple dollars from oringinal ram manufactory, and name brands earn a lot of money just by putting their name on it.
Welcome to capitalism . How much do you think it cost to make those $150 Nikes. And they can charge that much because they ship products that work time and time again.
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