question on max RAM limit on dell inspiron 8100

[triffo]

Hi,

Please forgive if this is too noobish of a question, but the documention/web says that the upper limit on the dell inspiron 8100 is 512mb. I can recall in the recent past that the limit on the same model was listed as 1gb. Other than the limitation of just having 2 slots for SODIMMs, what is to prevent one from installing memory abover 512mb, ie, if one were to use 2 512mb SODIMMS? Is there a limitation in the BIOS on how much RAM the laptop can accept? I am pretty sure the current 8100 series is using the same chipset that previous 8100s were that didn't have the 512mb limit.

I currently don't have a need for a gig, but it would be nice to know if this is a real barrier or not, or if I am only limited by the size/density of a SODIMM that I can buy.

Thanks,

 

[ScottMac]

It's based on the Intel 815 chipset, which only supports 512.

FWIW

Scott

 

[altonb1]

I'll preface this by saying I really don't know anything about this particular model laptop, but you should definately check to see if there is a BIOS upgrade available for your system. Often times, a manufacturer will use hardware that supports current and immediate future technology, but can not possibly support something that doesn't exist. (I'm having a hard time figuring out how to explain this, so let me just give an example

In the Hot Deals forum, about a month ago, a SOYO MB/AMD XP1700+ barebones system was advertised. Now according to some of the documentation for that board, it only supports Duron and Athlon chips. Yet, the system actually can support the XP line of chips. why? The XP chips did not exist when the board was designed and the manual created. With the older BIOS versions, the processors will not be identified correctly. with a recent BIOS version, the chips are identified fine. It could be that the BIOS is causing the limitaton on the amount of RAM it will support. With a BIOS upgrade, the RAM may be able to be bumped higher than the original specs indicated.

Again, I'm not familiar with this system, so the above is theoretical. I WOULD try a BIOS upgrade, though, and check the system's specs on the webpage to see if you can find any updated info. Yopu'll be there looking for a BIOS upgrade, anyway.

 

[ScottMac]

OK.

Let me be more specific.

I HAVE an 8100 (1.2g..blah blah blah ). The documentation SAYS it's an 815 chipset, the hardware scaners and benching programs all identify it as an 815 chipset. I'm thinking it's probably an 815 chipset.

815 chipsets do 512Meg max.

Does THAT help clarify the situation?

512M. Trust me.

FWIW

Scott

 

[triffo]

sorry for the late reply,

thanks for the info. i looked into the chipset stuff after your first post, was hard for me to believe that was actually a limitation; leave it to intel/rambus to do stuff like this.

thanks,

 

[AndyHui]

What does this have to do with RAMBUS?

The Intel i815E chipset is essentially an extension of the original i810E chipset, and designed as a low end chipset. Back then, 512MB was heaps.

 

[altonb1]

Sheesh! Sue me!

I was not saying I didn't believe there was 512MB limitation. i was simply advising that the original 512MB limitation may not be accurate if a BIOS upgrade has been released to surpass that limit. It happens on occasion! He got the answer he needed, so we win.

No need to point fingers. There is no '"i" in Victory...wait ...yes there is...nevermind...

 

[triffo]

What does this have to do with RAMBUS?

The Intel i815E chipset is essentially an extension of the original i810E chipset, and designed as a low end chipset. Back then, 512MB was heaps.



From what i understand, the P4 was initially released using RDRAM only as per agreement between intel and Rambus; intel cut a deal w/ rambus to allow a chipset to use 133 SDRAM, but the caveat was that there would be a 512meg limit -- the theory is that this way, individuals still interested in a truly "high end" system would be forced at the time to use RDRAM if they wanted the capability of extending beyond 512meg. At least, that's the stuff I read on one site, and the rest of the article seemed legit.

Thanks,