Beefing up a laptop

MizzouRah · 01-01-2009, 12:08 PM

For Christmas we bought our 12 year old daughter a Dell Inspiron 1525..

She loves it, but she's having issues with the Sims 2 freezing up.. the pc has 2GB of ram, but an onboard shared memory video card - at the time I ordered it, I didn't think she would have any issues running the Sims 2.. which is the only game she plays - especially since it runs fine on a 5 year old desktop pc I setup for the girls awhile back.

So I figure I have 3 options:

1. Get rid of Windows Vista and install Windows XP.
2. Grab another GB of ram (only about $24 right now)
3. Check to see if there is any way to upgrade the video on the laptop.

I don't think #3 is viable since it's not an XPS or top of line laptop, so I'm thinking about doing #2 for sure.. but would installing XP really work that much better than Vista?

Every pc I use or work on at work have XP Pro.. since the times I have used Vista, I wasn't impressed.. but I figured a pc made for Vista and installed fresh from the factory would be ok for an older game like the Sims.

Anyone experience an increase in performace from Vista -> XP?

EDIT: Actually crucial.com has a 1GB stick for $12 and a 2GB stick for $22

Comey · 01-01-2009, 03:39 PM

I run 4GB of RAM on my Inspiron 1521. Everything runs perfectly fine on here. I had 2GB, and pulled the trigger awhile ago.

Rich1033 · 01-01-2009, 03:59 PM

You cant upgrade the video. More RAM and maybe a faster HD are all you can really do. Maybe an update on the firmware could help you out.

If you do try to change or reinstall the OS be careful to make sure you can obtain all the right drivers. Laptops are a bit more tricky than desktops.

Edit- Oh, and if you really want to make changes to the OS I recommend checking out the Dell forums at notebookreview.com. They are very helpful and know their stuff.

Flasch186 · 01-01-2009, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Comey

I run 4GB of RAM on my Inspiron 1521. Everything runs perfectly fine on here. I had 2GB, and pulled the trigger awhile ago.

I have a dell XPS M1710 w/ 2gb of RAM and want to go to four BUT I dont know where to look to find out a compatable stick(s). How can I find out and then keep and eye out for a 'slickdeal' on stick(s)?

cooleyvol · 01-01-2009, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flasch186

I have a dell XPS M1710 w/ 2gb of RAM and want to go to four BUT I dont know where to look to find out a compatable stick(s). How can I find out and then keep and eye out for a 'slickdeal' on stick(s)?

You can buy RAM at Dell by model of the pc. Once it selects the memory for you, it gives you the specs. Take those and look elsewhere for a better deal.

Keep in mind that if your lappie has Vista 32 bit, it will only use about 3.2Gb of RAM even if you have 4 on board. It takes Vista 64 bit to recognize the entire 4Gb of RAM, iirc.

Flasch186 · 01-01-2009, 04:39 PM

ew, then let me follow up by saying i use XP Media Center edition...does that effect anything?

Comey · 01-01-2009, 04:54 PM

It recognizes the 4 GB of RAM, but it still doesn't utilize all of it (though an update was supposed to fix that...will have to research that).

As far as XP goes, it would recognize all of it, I believe. I would just google it.

cooleyvol · 01-01-2009, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooleyvol

Keep in mind that if your lappie has Vista 32 bit, it will only use about 3.2Gb of RAM even if you have 4 on board.

yeah.

Comey · 01-01-2009, 05:46 PM

Flasch, any 32-bit system (which XPMC is, I believe) will not pick up all four gigs. So, it would not matter about it being XP.

I think that would answer your follow up question.

Flasch186 · 01-01-2009, 08:12 PM

ah, so then would upgrading from 2 to 4 be a waste of $?

Comey · 01-01-2009, 08:44 PM

I don't believe so, with the low cost in RAM right now. You may also look at the overall quality of the RAM...perhaps it's not the top speed.

Anyway, even adding the (roughly) 1.5 GB can make a difference.

jeff061 · 01-01-2009, 09:01 PM

http://www.crucial.com for memory.

Easy to find your part, much cheaper than going through Dell. And it's quality, they've been around a long time.

Just bought my Mom a Latitude, additional 2gb was $110 through Dell and $25 through Crucial.

jeff061 · 01-01-2009, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flasch186

ah, so then would upgrading from 2 to 4 be a waste of $?

It will most likely pick up 3.5-3.75. Generally it picks up less if you have a a large amount of RAM for video, which usually isn't the case in a notebook.

Flasch186 · 01-01-2009, 09:39 PM

thanks, im going to follow that link and upgrade it....

MJ4H · 01-01-2009, 09:45 PM

That is a fantastic website. Thank you.

Comey · 01-01-2009, 10:56 PM

Sorry Flasch, I thought Crucial had been mentioned earlier. That's where I bought my memory. Very cheap (as jeff said, cheaper than Dell), and very, very reputable.

The good part is, when you get new RAM, you can sell the old RAM on Craigslist. ; )

rowech · 01-01-2009, 11:01 PM

I just bought 4 GB or RAM for my Toshiba from Kingston for $59. Not sure what the prices are for crucial but I thought I'd throw that out there. Also came with a free 2 GB flash drive.

Logan · 01-01-2009, 11:55 PM

Is it as easy to pop RAM into a laptop as a desktop?

MJ4H · 01-02-2009, 12:05 AM

It was for mine. Easier.

Rich1033 · 01-02-2009, 12:10 AM

4 gigs for my HP laptop is $42 from crucial. Its great to see prices are so low now.

Logan · 01-02-2009, 12:24 AM

Is memory for all Dells expensive or just mine? $40 for 1GB is out of line with what you guys seem to be paying.

Comey · 01-02-2009, 01:08 AM

I think I spent $60 for the 4GB of RAM for my Dell. I bought it off of Crucial, back in January or February.

MJ4H · 01-02-2009, 01:24 AM

$40 for 1 gig for my old HP too

BrianD · 01-02-2009, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logan

Is memory for all Dells expensive or just mine? $40 for 1GB is out of line with what you guys seem to be paying.

I checked on an upgrade for my Dell Inspiron 8600 and it looks like $40/1GB memory module. I'm trying to decide if the increased memory will add sufficient life to the laptop to be worthwhile.

MizzouRah · 01-02-2009, 12:24 PM

Yeah, I love crucial.. what sucks is Dell used two 1GB chips so, I have to replace them both with 2GB chips.

I think I'll try that first.

Any 32-bit os will find 3GB - 3.5GB and to use the whole 4GB, you'll need to upgrade to Vista or Windows XP 64 bit.

MizzouRah · 01-02-2009, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Comey

I run 4GB of RAM on my Inspiron 1521. Everything runs perfectly fine on here. I had 2GB, and pulled the trigger awhile ago.

Vista or XP?

Danny · 01-02-2009, 12:54 PM

Don't know if anyone said so yet, but you can get a free disk with windows 64 bit on it of whichever operating system you have. You can use the same license. This will allow you to run more ram if you need, but 64 bit does have trouble with some applications, though I think it's mostly business performance software.

01-01-2009, 04:39 PM	#6
Flasch186 Coordinator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Jacksonville, FL	ew, then let me follow up by saying i use XP Media Center edition...does that effect anything? __________________ Jacksonville-florida-homes-for-sale Putting a New Spin on Real Estate! ----------------------------------------------------------- Commissioner of the USFL USFL

01-01-2009, 04:54 PM	#7
Comey College Starter Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: CT via PA via CA via PA	It recognizes the 4 GB of RAM, but it still doesn't utilize all of it (though an update was supposed to fix that...will have to research that). As far as XP goes, it would recognize all of it, I believe. I would just google it. __________________

01-01-2009, 05:46 PM	#9
Comey College Starter Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: CT via PA via CA via PA	Flasch, any 32-bit system (which XPMC is, I believe) will not pick up all four gigs. So, it would not matter about it being XP. I think that would answer your follow up question. __________________

01-01-2009, 08:12 PM	#10
Flasch186 Coordinator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Jacksonville, FL	ah, so then would upgrading from 2 to 4 be a waste of $? __________________ Jacksonville-florida-homes-for-sale Putting a New Spin on Real Estate! ----------------------------------------------------------- Commissioner of the USFL USFL

01-01-2009, 08:44 PM	#11
Comey College Starter Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: CT via PA via CA via PA	I don't believe so, with the low cost in RAM right now. You may also look at the overall quality of the RAM...perhaps it's not the top speed. Anyway, even adding the (roughly) 1.5 GB can make a difference. __________________

01-01-2009, 03:39 PM	#2
Comey College Starter Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: CT via PA via CA via PA	I run 4GB of RAM on my Inspiron 1521. Everything runs perfectly fine on here. I had 2GB, and pulled the trigger awhile ago. __________________

01-01-2009, 03:59 PM	#3
Rich1033 High School Varsity Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Sylvania, Ohio	You cant upgrade the video. More RAM and maybe a faster HD are all you can really do. Maybe an update on the firmware could help you out. If you do try to change or reinstall the OS be careful to make sure you can obtain all the right drivers. Laptops are a bit more tricky than desktops. Edit- Oh, and if you really want to make changes to the OS I recommend checking out the Dell forums at notebookreview.com. They are very helpful and know their stuff. Last edited by Rich1033 : 01-01-2009 at 04:03 PM.

01-01-2009, 09:01 PM	#12
jeff061 Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: MA	http://www.crucial.com for memory. Easy to find your part, much cheaper than going through Dell. And it's quality, they've been around a long time. Just bought my Mom a Latitude, additional 2gb was $110 through Dell and $25 through Crucial. __________________ Last edited by jeff061 : 01-01-2009 at 09:04 PM.

01-01-2009, 09:39 PM	#14
Flasch186 Coordinator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Jacksonville, FL	thanks, im going to follow that link and upgrade it.... __________________ Jacksonville-florida-homes-for-sale Putting a New Spin on Real Estate! ----------------------------------------------------------- Commissioner of the USFL USFL

01-01-2009, 09:45 PM	#15
MJ4H Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Hog Country	That is a fantastic website. Thank you.

01-01-2009, 10:56 PM	#16
Comey College Starter Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: CT via PA via CA via PA	Sorry Flasch, I thought Crucial had been mentioned earlier. That's where I bought my memory. Very cheap (as jeff said, cheaper than Dell), and very, very reputable. The good part is, when you get new RAM, you can sell the old RAM on Craigslist. ; ) __________________

01-01-2009, 11:01 PM	#17
rowech Pro Starter Join Date: Feb 2006	I just bought 4 GB or RAM for my Toshiba from Kingston for $59. Not sure what the prices are for crucial but I thought I'd throw that out there. Also came with a free 2 GB flash drive.

01-01-2009, 11:55 PM	#18
Logan Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: NYC	Is it as easy to pop RAM into a laptop as a desktop?

01-02-2009, 12:05 AM	#19
MJ4H Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Hog Country	It was for mine. Easier.

01-02-2009, 12:10 AM	#20
Rich1033 High School Varsity Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Sylvania, Ohio	4 gigs for my HP laptop is $42 from crucial. Its great to see prices are so low now.

01-02-2009, 12:24 AM	#21
Logan Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: NYC	Is memory for all Dells expensive or just mine? $40 for 1GB is out of line with what you guys seem to be paying.

01-02-2009, 01:08 AM	#22
Comey College Starter Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: CT via PA via CA via PA	I think I spent $60 for the 4GB of RAM for my Dell. I bought it off of Crucial, back in January or February. __________________

01-02-2009, 01:24 AM	#23
MJ4H Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Hog Country	$40 for 1 gig for my old HP too

01-02-2009, 12:24 PM	#25
MizzouRah Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Troy, Mo	Yeah, I love crucial.. what sucks is Dell used two 1GB chips so, I have to replace them both with 2GB chips. I think I'll try that first. Any 32-bit os will find 3GB - 3.5GB and to use the whole 4GB, you'll need to upgrade to Vista or Windows XP 64 bit.

01-02-2009, 12:54 PM	#27
Danny Head Coach Join Date: Jul 2001	Don't know if anyone said so yet, but you can get a free disk with windows 64 bit on it of whichever operating system you have. You can use the same license. This will allow you to run more ram if you need, but 64 bit does have trouble with some applications, though I think it's mostly business performance software.

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