Laptop memory question... high density?

[Erik]

Hey everyone...

Here's a question I'm hoping someone can help me out with. I'm working on a Dell Inspiron 3700 laptop for a friend of mine. It's a P3 450 with 64MB of RAM as of now. I'm looking to upgrade the RAM with another 256MB DIMM, but I have a question.

Crucial and other memory places tell me to use a regular 256MB PC100 SODIMM which runs about $80-something. When I look on Pricewatch, I find 256MB of PC100 "high density" SODIMM memory for $35 shipped. It looks like the high density memory is a lot cheaper everywhere than the regular memory. I'd like to get the cheap way out, but I don't know the difference between high density and regular memory and whether it will work in this system. The cheap stuff is CL3 which I know is compatible, I just don't know about the "fully compatible" vs. "high density."

Anyway, any help or advice is appreciated. I've never been a genious in the memory department. Thanks!

Here are the two products I'm comparing:

High Density: http://www.18004memory.com/focus.asp?sku=502151&guid=F926BFD308FF4406ABCE7B545C655CDB

Regular: http://www.18004memory.com/focus.asp?sku=502080&guid=F926BFD308FF4406ABCE7B545C655CDB

 

[CozKramer]

Erik, the difference is in the item description for ya.. Although for most it doesn't make any sense..

256MB PC100 SO DIMM 16X16 BUILD HIGH DENSITY
HIGH DENSITY LIMITED COMPATIBILITY 16X16 BUILD

VS.

256MB PC100 144PIN SO DIMM 16X8 BUILD FULLY COMPATIBLE

So, where's the difference? 16x16 vs. 16x8.. Or Chip Arrangment.. If you want my honest opinion.. Never buy the cheap stuff.. It's cheap for a reason.. Now, if your dead set on getting out for less money, you must do your research first. Limited Chipsets will support 16x16. So, lets do some research here........ And now, for you, the bad news.. 16x8 it is... I went to a couple other memory places and the one you have is the cheapest...

However, I would question keeping a laptop that is 'that' outdated.. You might be better served donating it or selling it to a family member with a child to do homework on and using the money on a new one. Spending $80-$100 to upgrade something that's not really worth it, doesn't make sense to me. Especially when you can get new stuff for under $700... Get a $100-200 for yours and keep the $100 you were gonna spend and get something newer..

Sorry for the delay here.. I've been away for a bit.. HTH

 

[Erik]

No problem, thanks for the response. Yeah, it's not mine. It's a client's. The thing is really in mint condition even though the battery works, and he just wants it for his daughter to use Word, basic internet and AIM, so I'd like to try to upgrade it. Hmm, so the only way to do it is the expensive stuff, that's a shame.

Thanks.

 

[CozKramer]

So it's going to a good use.. That's good.. I think what the shame here is the fact that manufactures make the cheap stuff at all.. It only proves to confuse buyers and iritate tech support. It's just another way for them to make an even cheaper buck at the expense of the consumer.

 

[Erik]

Yeah, I'll have to call up my friend and ask whether it's really worth it, or maybe I'll go with a 128 upgrade to bring it to 192. I was hoping to try to get XP on it, but I'd definitely want to get at least 256 in there before I tried.

 

[CozKramer]

Erik, see my lengthy post here on why you shouldn't go to 192... The optimum that you should do is yank the 64mb chip and replace with one 256 chip. 512 if you can..

 

[Erik]

Hmm, we'll see. I have to figure out whether he thinks it'll even be worth it.