Can I use two DIMMs with different speeds?

[diqbal]

I have a laptop that has 1 512MB DIMM of PC3200 400MHz memory. It has 2 slots and I want to add more memory. What are the ramifications of adding a 1GB Stick in the other slot that is 533MHz? In terms of performance and compatibility (Inspiron 6000 btw)

 

[Ethan2099]

the 6000 isn't a dual channel machine, if i'm right what will happen is that it'll just run the faster stick at the spead of the slower stick.

 

[diqbal]

The Inspiron 6000 is indeed a dual channel machine.

 

[imported_Kensai]

It'll work, but you might not have stable dual-channel. It might be possible and it might not work.
Of course it'll run at the slower stick's speed.

 

[Ethan2099]

Originally posted by: diqbal
The Inspiron 6000 is indeed a dual channel machine.

The Inspiron 6000 utilizes PC3200 Synchronous DDR2 SDRAM

The information i have available to me says nothing about it in a dual channel compatible mode. The only two Dell portables that offer dual channel are the XPS gen 2 and the 9300. I would post a link to the page where i'm getting this from however it's a Dell confidential page.

your ram is going to run at 400.

 

[diqbal]

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/....aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=i6000S2&s=dhs

Click that link and go down to Memory, click in Memory where it says 'Help Me Choose' then when that window opens, go to the 'Details' tab where you will find this info:


Inspiron 6000
Memory Type Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM

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Memory Slot 2 DIMM slots

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User Accessible? Yes

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Minimum Memory 256 MB

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Maximum Memory 2 GB

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Frequency 400 to 533 MHz

 

[Ethan2099]

Interesting. Well i guess if the sales site is different from the internal site lets go with yours then. Strange... I think i'm going to have to report that discrepancy. According to my internal information the 6000 will only run in single channel mode at a max of 400.

Features Inspiron 6000
Processor Speeds 1.6GHz, 1.73GHz, 1.8GHz, 1.86GHz, 2.0GHz, 2.13GHz
System Chipset Alviso 915GM and 915PM
Memory Speed 400 MHz
Memory Min / Max 256 MB / 2 GB
LCD Type 15.4" Widescreen LCD
WXGA (1280 x 800)
WSXGA+ (1680 x 1050)
WUXGA (1920 x 1200)
Video Chipset Alviso Integrated
ATI M22 - Mobility Radeon X300

DELL CONFIDENTIAL - INTERNAL USE ONLY

 

[Ethan2099]

Okay, cleared up the discrepancy. you are right, it is a dual channel machine. My material was incorrect. Good thing here at Dell we have our information totally up to date, eh?

 

[fbrdphreak]

You should know it is DC because it is a Sonoma notebook, all Sonoma's are DC.

 

[Ethan2099]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
You should know it is DC because it is a Sonoma notebook, all Sonoma's are DC.

So i'm misinformed, whatever. at least i'm admiting it.