Where to buy 9300 1GB RAM ? - Page 2

No no. First, while it may be technically possible to run mis-matched memory sizes it is never a good idea - it destroys throughput.

Second, these are dual-channel machines. What this means is you need a pair of sticks (sodimms) that match in terms of size and speed, preferably the exact same type. The memory works in pairs - with only one stick, you give up on dual channel capabilities and thus speed. You don't want to gimp a nice laptop like the 9300 like that.

If you want a TOTAL of 1gb in your 9300 then you need to buy two 512mb DDR2 PC4200 sodimms, remove the 256mb in your laptop (actually, I am betting it is 2 128mb sticks) and install those in their place. Then sell the stock memory on ebay or something, although I am guessing there isn't much of a demand for 256mb of DDR2 laptop memory right now.

The 1gb stick listed in the link is if you want 2gb in your system, like me, or the original poster. Do you need 2gb? Depends what you use it for, but probably not. I've always tried to stay ahead of the memory "curve" and 2gb does reduce disk caching during certain games or when I am editing in Photoshop, but I would probably do just fine with 1gb if I had to. I think the price right now for 2gb is good and so I'll get ahead of the game now.

bought 2gb today

I bought 2gb of memory today from memory4less.com. If you want to talk to someone, call 800-821-3354 x1216, which is Kazim.

The Kingston is out of stock, and he replaced it with Simpletech, which he says is basically the same as Kingston (lifetime warranty, same memory chips, etc.). I paid $195.52 for each 1gb stick (same as Kingston).

Again, this is PC4200 (533mhz), DDR2, 200-pin SODIMM.

[quote=ixian]No no. First, while it may be technically possible to run mis-matched memory sizes it is never a good idea - it destroys throughput.

Second, these are dual-channel machines. What this means is you need a pair of sticks (sodimms) that match in terms of size and speed, preferably the exact same type. The memory works in pairs - with only one stick, you give up on dual channel capabilities and thus speed. You don't want to gimp a nice laptop like the 9300 like that.




I was also wondering about this - and the above is accurate. Here is portion of Dell's confidential training manual .....

"A Dual Channel configuration allows the system to have twice the memory bandwidth using the same memory technology. To achieve dual channel performance, the total memory in each channel must be the same. If the channels do not match or the system has only one DIMM installed, the system will run in single channel mode. The system functions normally in single channel mode, but the user will loose the benefit of increased memory throughput.
“Matching” modules means:

Both modules are the same capacity (e.g. both are 256MB, or 512MB)
Both modules are the same speed (e.g. both are PC3200)
Both have the same number of chips and module sides (e.g. both have the same number of chips on the module, and both are either single-sided or double-sided). "

I just got mine in the mail! Man, now if I just had the laptop.

Tomshardware shows negligible improvements using dual channel memory in the sonoma platform. Just an fyi.

http://www.tomshardware.com/mobile/2...alviso-23.html

I called them to check this out. I ordered mine this morning at 9:30am Texas Standard Time. They said they weren't out of stock and I'd be shipping today.

5% is negligible to some and a lot to others. If you are spending 2 grand or more on a laptop why gimp even a little?

If you are only going with 1G or less - when factoring the 35% off coupon - I think you might as well stay with DELL. As a bonus you won't be stuck with useless RAM and your warranty does not have to be split between the RAM / everything else.

If you are going up to 2G that is another story. Also remember that if you use non-DELL memory you should definitely keep your DELL memory around in case you need to send the notebook in for service. If DELL checks out your laptop and decides to send you a refrub - I suspect it will be configured with RAM as purchased from DELL (not any non-DELL upgrades as they would not have any record of it and they might not have the foresight to check your notebook for upgrades).

Well the question I then have, is what is preferable, 1.256GB of RAM, giving me to option to upgrade in the future as my gaming requires. Or a dual 512 setup giving me 1GB now, but not allowing potential future upgrades.

As I see it, i've got on order a 9300 that is coming my way with 512 of RAM in it, while dell will gladly upgrade that 512 to 1GB (2 sticks), I can purchase a single stick of RAM for the cost of the upgrade.

I don't really want to spend an additional 400 or 500 right now, but had planned on getting a bit more memory than just 512. Ought I simply wait until I need an upgrade on my machine as required by whatever software I want to run and purchase the 2, 1GB sticks at that time? I'm thinking that even though the 1.256GB of RAM isn't two equally matched up sticks that it will perform better than 512 (2 256k sticks) that is coming with my system. Thanks again

well i seen many here post saying that getting 2 sticks of 512mb is the same as getting it from another company with the 35% discount..thats what i did... for me i dont do gaming and if i do its once in a while since i use my ps2 and xbox for gaming... ill be using my laptop for internet. music, and programs like multisim, pspice, ti interative, office.........to name a few... and the first to i mention eat up memory... so i guess getting 2 sticks of 512 will do you good for a while.... dell is giving a good price for them with the 35% discount..so is really on you.... good luck

It kind of defeats the purpose of DDR2 if you use mismatched RAM. Personally I would keep them matched up. I suspect 1 GB will be considered a very healthy configuration for running most applications/games under Windows for the next 12 months.

Hmm . . . I am assuming everyone is planning on running 2 gigs of DDR2 PC2-4200. That is awesome. Same question here . . . Is it really required?

Unless, they are planning on using 1 stick? With DDR2, don't you need to run 2 identical sticks to reap the benefits?

I plan on running 1 stick.

I know you are reading the articles at THG and all that and thinking otherwise, but I think that is a really bad idea all the same. I mean, it's your system and all, but I don't know why you wouldn't just do two 512 sticks.

Because if I later want to upgrade to 2GB I'd have to sell those 2 sticks.

check this link out

http://firingsquad.com/news/pressrel...sp?searchid=85

Let's see - you are spending significant $$$ on a cutting edge laptop - only to throttle its performance by configuring the RAM in a less than optimal fashion.



I am with Ixian on this one.

I think the guys running on one stick only aim to do this short term though, with the aim to upgrade to 2GB within a month or so yeah? (Sorry, but I am assuming this about Maklar as he mentioned ordering a stick for mem4less... correct me if I am wrong) If so, then this is fine for the short term esp. in light of Dells exorbitant pric of Ram upgrades on systems. Obviously though, a system with mismatched Ram will not tun in dual channel configuration which will hurt performance during this time, so this is the trade of in the short term I guess...

Cheers

From the benchmarks I've seen, nothing I do will be impacted by only running 1 stick of RAM. Plus, I'm curious as to how much of an impact it will have. I figure I'll compare my numbers to people here and see if it makes any difference.

But honestly, 5% is diddly squat in performance changes. I wouldn't notice the difference I'm sure.

The issue for me is, any game I want to run right now will be fine with a 1GB stick, however I anticipate that down the line in say... a year I will want to run some newfangled game that requires a bit more umph. I'd prefer to plan ahead and get the 1GB stick now so that rather than having to sell two 512 sticks and purchase two 1GB sticks later I will be able to just purchase the single 1GB stick and pop it in.

So Since I haven't gotten a great answer about what i'm planning on doing, I suppose I'll just give it a shot and let you guys know if it makes my machine blow up or not.

So in summary, although I realize that the "optimal" setup would be to run two 512 sticks to achieve my desired 1GB target. In deferrence to the economics involved I plan on purchasing a 1GB stick and popping it in there "mismatched" /gasp, with one of the 256k sticks that will be coming on the system.

Really my only question was does anyone know whether i'd be better off running the 2, 256k sticks (for a total of 512 RAM for you math wizzes) for the time being, the alternative being purchasing one of my 1GB sticks now and running mismatched until I see a need for a performance upgrade to a full 2GB setup.

To my non-computer oriented mind it makes sense that i'd achieve better performance with a 1.256 GB setup though mismatched, when compared to a matched up 512. Cheers!