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Configuring a Dell Inspiron 6000D

M

Mad4Sax2

Member
I'm going to be purchasing a Dell Inspiron 6000D soon for college, and had a couple of questions about how I should configure it. It will be mostly used for college work (MS Office, Sibelius mostly), internet, music listening, and the occasional DVD movie. I have a new sweet custom desktop, so I don't need it to do everything.

1) Will 512MB of RAM be good enough, or should I spend the extra money and go for 1GB?
2) How much better performance would I notice with the 1.86GHz processor vs. the 1.60GHz?

Other specs wil include the Radeon x300 128MB vid card, 60GB 7,200RPM hard drive, DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive, and WSXGA screen. I'll be running XP Pro.
 
1) 512mb should be just fine for office...As for Sibelious, it just depends how hardcore you are about it. Ram these days is getting cheaper and cheaper. Even if you don't buy 1gb from dell, you can get the rest later for dirt cheap. (my recommendation - Newegg)
2) For performance, I can only guess it will be a few seconds differences in loading times for you but otherwise, not that much different.

If you plan on gaming, its a different story, but just for music / web, I wouldn't worry too much.
 
If I were to get the bare minimum RAM from Dell, would installing a pair of 512MB sodimms from newegg.com be easy? Does Dell do anything to complicate the installation? Or would it be as simple as clicking them in and turning it on?
 
Its pretty easy to do it. Its also cheaper to buy from Newegg than to buy from dell.

Usually, all you have to do is take off a couple of screws in the back for one of the panels (you'll know its the memory when you see it), then you just slide it in an angle , pop in. then just close the lid and put the screws back on.
 
How much is Dell asking to upgrade to 1x512MB DDR? It is probably more than $50, and if it is then get your own.

I would get 1x256, sell the 256 (or keep it as a souvenir, LOL), and buy 1x1GB from NewEgg. 512MB is sufficient for general usage, but memory is about as cheap as it will ever get. 512MB DDR2 should run about $50-$55 shipped, and 1GB about $110 shipped.

In regards to the CPU: 1.73 is the best bang for the buck IMO. The general rule of thumb is to buy as much CPU as you can afford at the given time. So spec out everything else you need, factor in the cost of the RAM, and then see who much CPU you can afford. The 1.6 is plenty sufficient, but if you've got a little extra money to spend get a 1.73 or even 1.86; altho as I recall Dell charges a decent chunk extra to go to the 1.86 making it less of a value.
 
Sorry for hijacking, but I also want to buy a 6000D.
Removing the laptop cover he would lose the warranty, right?
 
Originally posted by: ghidu
Sorry for hijacking, but I also want to buy a 6000D.
Removing the laptop cover he would lose the warranty, right?
Click to expand...

Not the RAM cover. Those can be opened by the user but I think the warranty won't cover any screwups you make (but its relatively simple so you would have to have a really bad day to screw it up).

I would keep the original chip that Dell gives just in case. If you ever have to send it in for service, switch you chips for Dell's to make sure they don't make it an issue. Also, no guarantees but the Transcend DDR2 RAM from NewEgg is popular for Dell models and it works at 533 MHz and not 400 MHz (Dell RAM).
 
Is this the Ram we should use in a dell 6000d?

Transcend TravelMate 8100 series 1GB 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) Notebook Memory Model TS128MSQ64V5J - Retail

FYI, its on sale this weekend at newegg
 
Originally posted by: Jassi
Originally posted by: ghidu
Sorry for hijacking, but I also want to buy a 6000D.
Removing the laptop cover he would lose the warranty, right?
Click to expand...

Not the RAM cover. Those can be opened by the user but I think the warranty won't cover any screwups you make (but its relatively simple so you would have to have a really bad day to screw it up).

I would keep the original chip that Dell gives just in case. If you ever have to send it in for service, switch you chips for Dell's to make sure they don't make it an issue. Also, no guarantees but the Transcend DDR2 RAM from NewEgg is popular for Dell models and it works at 533 MHz and not 400 MHz (Dell RAM).
Click to expand...
Excellent Jassi, thanks. I know my way around a PC, but never opened a laptop.

 
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