Dell Inspiron 6000 RAM and FSB speed asynchronous

[MogyBear]

I recently ordered an Inspiron 6000 and I have to say I am upset. I went with 1 stick of 512MB RAM instead of 2x256 for $50 more because I was considering upgrading in the future and I didn't want to have to eBay my old 256MB sticks. The problem is that the RAM is 400MHz, not 533MHz like the FSB! I know it will still work, but it would ahve been nice to have synchronous operation. I paid the extra $50 thinking I was gettng 533MHz... what a ripoff. I contacted Dell online customer support; they referred me to phone sales, then sales told me I would need to talk to customer support or tech support once I receive my computer. SAME FREAKING CYCLE I went through last time... they just keep referring you to the other departments. SO frustrating; you can never talk to anyone at the top to get stuff straightened out.

Has anyone else had this problem?

 

[ND40oz]

I'm assuming you got the 730, 750 or 760 processor to have the 533 mhz fsb. But from the website, it doesn't specify what the memory runs at, it just states DDR2. When you ordered, did it confirm that you had ordered 533 DDR2?

 

[MogyBear]

When I ordered, it just said it was 512MB of RAM. Only when I got my order confirmation did it say 400MHz. Yes, I got the 1.86GHz Pentium M.

 

[RamIt]

It doesn't really make a difference. The modules bench the same. The 400mhz is running at 3-3-3-8 and the 533 part runs at 4-4-4-11. I have tested both modules in my XPS2 and the 6000.

 

[MogyBear]

Oh cool. Thanks a lot for the info, RamIt! I didn't know the 400MHz ran at better CAS timings. Phew, now I can do an upgrade in the future and have it cost less!

 

[fbrdphreak]

Most companies use 400MHz DDR2 for now; 533MHz modules cost more for negligible performance increase.

 

[JEDI]

will laptop actually exceed the 400mhz memory specs?

i'm assuming something in the laptop will read the memory as 400mhz?

if you're going to use the full 533mhz bus, will it push the memory to 533mhz?!

 

[fbrdphreak]

The Intel 915 chipset supports DDR2 533; so if you use 533 RAM, it will run it @ 533. If you use 400 RAM, it will run it @ 400

 

[JEDI]

i ran Everest Home Edition.

for memory, it says:
bus type- 64bit
bus width- 200mhz (ddr)
effective clock- 400mhz
bandwidth 3200mb/s

my delll 6000 has a centrino 1.6ghz 533mhz bus, but the mem Dell shipped with it was 400mhz.

i'm assuming Everest Home Edition will report that the clock will be 533mhz if i upgrade to 533mhz memory?

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: JEDI
i ran Everest Home Edition.

for memory, it says:
bus type- 64bit
bus width- 200mhz (ddr)
effective clock- 400mhz
bandwidth 3200mb/s

my delll 6000 has a centrino 1.6ghz 533mhz bus, but the mem Dell shipped with it was 400mhz.

i'm assuming Everest Home Edition will report that the clock will be 533mhz if i upgrade to 533mhz memory?

That is correct, UNLESS you have the Intel 915GMS Chipset, which only supports a 400MHz FSB & 400MHz DDR2. Everest should tell you that also.

 

[Choppedliver]

Can someone tell me what Memory I can use to upgrade this? Dell wants $250 for a 1 GIG total upgrade. Thats crap. When I go to pricegrabber and look for DDR2 PC4200 SODIMM, I can find one for $100 bucks or so from Kingston, but when I go to the kingston website, and select Dell 6000, it gives me some part number which when searched for in Pricegrabber is way more expensive.

What the hell? Does it use anything special? Or do I have to buy ram that specifies it works with my dell?

I havent bought the machine yet, but I want to put 1 GIG or 512M in addition to the 256 that it comes with, and I dont want to pay Dell's ludicrous prices for an upgrade.

 

[ssvegeta1010]

Choppedliver- Im pretty sure that both of those sticks are the same. Memory is often sold at jacked up prices when it is specifically 'chosen' for a system. (It is mostly the same exact RAM.)

 

[Jassi]

Originally posted by: Choppedliver
Can someone tell me what Memory I can use to upgrade this? Dell wants $250 for a 1 GIG total upgrade. Thats crap. When I go to pricegrabber and look for DDR2 PC4200 SODIMM, I can find one for $100 bucks or so from Kingston, but when I go to the kingston website, and select Dell 6000, it gives me some part number which when searched for in Pricegrabber is way more expensive.

What the hell? Does it use anything special? Or do I have to buy ram that specifies it works with my dell?

I havent bought the machine yet, but I want to put 1 GIG or 512M in addition to the 256 that it comes with, and I dont want to pay Dell's ludicrous prices for an upgrade.

This has worked for most I believe.

And yes, Dell prices are BS.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Wow, even DDR2 SODIMM is cheap now; sweet

 

[Choppedliver]

Thanks guys... Thats what I needed to know!

 

[Choppedliver]

ok.... thnkning about getting the 700m instead of the 6000... 2.0ghz

1) Should the same comments about the memory hold true for the 700m?

2) Im pulling my hair out deciding between the 700m and the 6000, since I havent been able to physically hold either one of them. I will be traveling with it a lot, which is the main reason Im leaning towards the 700m. Anyone here with the 6000 haven any comments about the size of the 6000 and traveling?

 

[fbrdphreak]

Hmmm........if I'm not mistaken I setup a 6000 last week. It is portable for a 15.4" notebook, but it won't be anything like a 700m.
Personally, I would go with one of their Latitude models. The 6000 seemed decently well built, but I also setup some 600m's and I wasn't impressed with their build quality. It wasn't BAD, but the Latitude D610's I setup were MUCH better.

The 6000 would be suitable for carting around in a bag, but I would rather have a 15" or less screen. Ideally 14" or less actually

edit And no, the 6000 uses DDR2 RAM as it is built on the Sonoma platform w/533MHz FSB.

 

[Choppedliver]

I was thinking 14 inches would be great as well, but then the only one I like is the HP DV1000, and I dont think dell has any widescreen laptops in 14 inch form. ( I only want widescreen ). Also, the only financing i have is dell, which kinda narrows it down for me.

I believe the 700m is also built on the sonoma platform with 533 fsb, if Im not mistaken. Even though its only 12 inch, it has a good widescreen resolution. Mainly Ill be using the web, excel, and email.

Ill take a look at the D610.

 

[Choppedliver]

Can a latitude laptop be bought from "Dell Home" versus "Dell small business". I cant find a link on the "Dell home" site for the latitude series, thus I cant configure one, put it in my cart and use the $750 off coupon

 

[fbrdphreak]

I double checked and the 700m is definitely 400Mhz FSB.

Wow, I just checked pricing on the Latitude D610. 1.6GHz, X300 graphics, 14.1" SXGA+, 256MB RAM (add ur own), 60GB 5400RPM, CDRW/DVDROM, Intel 2200 wireless, 6-cell: $1257 :Q Nice

I like widescreen too, but I like SXGA+/UXGA res better. The D610's I setup were SXGA+ and there was tons of desktop real estate; I have to say I liked 'em :thumbsup:

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: Choppedliver
Can a latitude laptop be bought from "Dell Home" versus "Dell small business". I cant find a link on the "Dell home" site for the latitude series, thus I cant configure one, put it in my cart and use the $750 off coupon

Nah, you can't order Latitude's from Dell Home; there's usually not Latitude coupons but keep an eye out

 

[Choppedliver]

Im checking it out now... i like that the case is metal and not plastic... If only dell would make a 14 inch, Metal case, widescreen laptop, with at least x300 graphics, and with good battery power... That would be my perfect laptop This one is looking promising now, gonna go price one out... I definitely like that it has x300 which is miles better than the builtin Intel crap in the 700M

So the 700M can use the Processors made for 533mhz FSB, but only runs at 400mhz?

 

[microAmp]

Originally posted by: Choppedliver

So the 700M can use the Processors made for 533mhz FSB, but only runs at 400mhz?

Yes, according to Dell, the 700m uses the 855GME chipset. Looking over at Intel specs, it's rated for only 400 MHz FSB.

The 700m is lighter, 4.1 lbs, compared to the 6000 I just got 7-8 lbs (thanks to the $750 off deal I jumped on ) For my 1st laptop ever, it does feel fairly heavy, but doesn't bother me since I'm not going to lug it around every where.

My Inspiron 6000, which has x300 ATi 64 MB, has the i915 PM chipset, so it can support the 533 MHz FSB, but the actual RAM I have in there is rated at 400 MHz.

If you wanted to have the i915 PE chipset in the Inspiron 6000, you would have to get the x300 ATi video card since that chipset has no integrated graphics, you can rule out the i915 GM/GMS ones.

Edit: PE... PM..., pfft.

 

[Choppedliver]

thats pretty crappy of them to give u 400mhz ram in a machine that supports 533... I mean it may not make ahuge difference, but damnit i hate knowing i have that potential and its not being used.

 

[JEDI]

the 6000's comes with 400mhz ram standard. there's no way to change it, even if you upgrade to a 1.6ghz 533mhz chip.

i've tried