Memory upgrade for Inspiron E1505

[His Eaziness]

I just got an Inspiron E1505 and figured it'd be cheaper to go with the "free" 1GB uprade from dell and then go and buy a 2X1GB set from newegg and sell the 2X512MB. That said, these are my options at the moment:

OCZ Value 1GB 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 667 (PC2 5400) Notebook Memory -- $74.99 ea
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227099

Mushkin 2GB (2 x 1GB) 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) Dual Channel Kit Notebook Memory -- $159.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820146440

Mushkin 2GB (2 x 1GB) 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Notebook Memory -- $179.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820146125

Crucial Technology 2GB (2 x 1GB) 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) Dual Channel Kit Notebook Memory -- $239.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820146517

Whats my best bet here? Is Mushkin reputable? Is Crucial worth that much more?

*edit*
Newegg lists the timings as such:
OCZ: 5-5-5-15
Mushkin 533 and Crucial: 4-4-4-12
Mushkin 667: 5-5-5-15

[Midknyte]

You need PC5400 or 5300 (667x8=5336). It's the same thing.

Is Mushkin reputable? Heck yeah!

The OCZs end up being about $30 cheaper, though.

[His Eaziness]

Cool thanks

[BipolarBill]

Dell commonly uses Crucial RAM. I doubt that you will see any "real" speed increase with any other RAM.

Are you sure that this laptop can make use of dual-channel RAM? It all depends on the motherboard design. There may not be any real advantage to matched pairs. If that's the case, you would be crazy to downgrade to 512MB DIMMs. When it comes to memory, it's always best to use the single largest DIMM you can so that you don't have to toss one to upgrade later.

[Midknyte]

That model maxes out at 2GB, so he'd have to get 2 1GB sticks anyway.

[His Eaziness]

It came with the 1GB (2X512MB) set up and I'm planning to max it out at 2GB (2X1GB).

Pulled from the Dell "customize" it page:

1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz, 2 Dimm [Included in Price]
Dell Recommended

2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHZ, 2 DIMM [add $188 or $6/month1]

[BipolarBill]

Fine, but it still makes more sense to keep on original stick and sell the other.

Simple math - you have 2x512 and you would like more RAM. Now you have to put one aside to install your upgrade.


Dual-channel is not the big deal that most people think. Figure a 5% benefit in speed. The molasses-like hard drive in the laptop will be much more of a hindrence.

[His Eaziness]

I was just going to put the 2X512's up in the Steals and Deals section or try ebay if i didnt have any takers. The point of doing it this way is that the 2 OCZ's will run me ~$150 and I'll get some cash from selling the 512's. Whereas if I had gone with the 2X1GB upgrade from dell I would have paid $188 and wouldnt have anything to sell.

*edit*
Figured it was about time I put up an avatar. Say Hello to Duffman. Oh Yeah!