Inspiring 6400 upgrade to 4gb

[qwertyjjj]

Got an old 6400 with Max 2gb ram. Some say the bios can actually take 4gb bit I need to downgrade from A17 to A09 version. Any thoughts on if this is ok?
Is it also easy to upgrade the CPU in these?

 

[robert600]

you've stirred a few memories talking of 6400s lol. I used to run a few of these.

yes to the cpu's ... I've done a few ... which one do you have in mind?

thinking of the ram .... i'm a bit confused as to what you are asking ... there are 2 ram slots .... are you asking if you can put 4 in each for a total of 8 or .... 2 in each for a total of 4?

 

[robert600]

just to be clear .... we are talking about a dell inspiron 6400 ... is that right?

 

[qwertyjjj]

Yes dell inspiring 6400.
It currently has 2x1gb 533
I want to put in 2x2gb 667mhz
Current CPU is pentium T2080 1.73ghz
Currently vista bit want to run win7 with a cheap OEM upgrade.

 

[robert600]

you keep writing inspiring instead of inspiron lol - must be your spell checker doing an autochange.

Anyway, I have some good news ....I still have 2 6400s left. The one I liked the most is up and running beside me. Here's some info about it.

Bios: A17
Ram: 2 2GB chips ... 667 Mz
Motherboard: model OXD720
OS: Win7 Ultimate
CPU: T7200 (Intel Core2)

So no need to change your bios ... the memory you want to use is supported A17 ... it runs Win 7 just fine - be sure to install the 64 bit version or you won't get the full benefit of 4gb of ram - the 32 bit version can only use 3.25 gb or so.

your cpu bus speed is 533 MHz, frequency 1733 MHz
T7200 bus speed 667 MHz, , frequency 2000 MHz

here's the some of the results of a 'side by side' comparison of those 2 processors quoted below:

" Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 (Socket M) advantages

This processor has 53% higher performance in single-threaded applications.
The Intel T7200 microprocessor is 51% faster when running multi-threaded tasks. The performance advantage depends on specific program. In some of them the T7200 CPU could be up to 100% faster.
The microprocessor incorporates Intel 64 feature, that allows it to run 64-bit operating systems.
The CPU provides hardware acceleration of virtualized applications.
The Core 2 Duo T7200 includes SSSE3 instructions.


Intel Pentium T2080 advantages

The processor is 9% more energy efficient."

Hope this helps. you've got me interested ... keep me posted!

 

[robert600]

Thinking of my inspiron ... i can't remember what processor was originally in it before I changed it to a T7200 ... this was a few years back! It's possible it was a T2080.

 

[qwertyjjj]

Thanks.
How easy is it too swap out the CPU on this model?
Also, I saw a fairly cheap oem upgrade to win7. Think they take licenses from discontinued or decommissioned laptops. Microsoft used to upgrade you for free a few months back. Not sure if they still do?

 

[robert600]

the other 6400 i don't have time to deal with right now ... going to work soon. A note attached to it says it has a T2500 cpu and 3 gb of ram with win7 64 bit. i can fire it up and check for more details (like the motherboard) sometime if you want.

i have no idea about 'cheap oem upgrades' but in my mind - the cheaper the better for win7 at this time. i don't know of the 'free upgrade' - from what os to what os?

i can't remember how hard it was to swap the cpus --- it must have been quite easy though if I could do it!

 

[robert600]

i'm not certain of this but ... if you get a free upgrade and your current os is 32 bit (i believe it is because that comparison implies that your current processor can not handle a 64 bit os) ... then the upgrade would be to a 32 bit os. you really want a 64 bit OS to take full advantage of 4 gb ram.
Given that - that oem upgrade would seem the better option - if it's true that your current processor can't handle the 64 bit OS - you could only do the upgrade you want after you install the new cpu - does that make sense?

 

[qwertyjjj]

Can't find many OEM t7200 on eBay. Most seem to be from Hong Kong. Are they copies?

 

[robert600]

i just had a look ... seems to be 100s of them on ebay.com ... hard to believe they can sell them for $0.99 with free shipping from china lol. There are a few from the US for $6 or $7.

I've never bought from china - they appear to be legit but who knows? They would probably take a while to show up. if you are in the states ... might be better to buy a $7 one and get it right away but that's up to you.

 

[robert600]

There's also a T 2500 from a 'top rated plus' US seller for $7.99. There is also a 'make an Offer' button. I bet he would take $5.00 lol.

 

[robert600]

Actually, i'm just comparing the t 2500 with the t 7200. i would get the t 7200.

 

[robert600]

Here is a T7200 for $9.90. He is located in the US and i have purchased from him. His rating is 100%.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-Core-2-Duo-T7200-Laptop-CPU-2-00-GHz-SL9SF-TESTED-/222418382214?hash=item33c92b2d86:g:F1gAAOSw~AVYreq5

 

[robert600]

Have you had a chance to check if you have the same motherboard? Mine is model OXD720 (as reported by iobit advanced system care)

 

[qwertyjjj]

Have you had a chance to check if you have the same motherboard? Mine is model OXD720 (as reported by iobit advanced system care)

will the 7200 work with this architecture? seeing references to 32bit a lot...

Manufacturer Dell Inc.
Model 0KD882 (Microprocessor)
Chipset Vendor Intel
Chipset Model i945GM
Chipset Revision 03
Southbridge Vendor Intel
Southbridge Model 82801GHM (ICH7-M/U)
Southbridge Revision A1
BIOS
Brand Dell Inc.
Version A17
Date 13/06/2007
PCI Data
Slot PCMCIA
Slot Type PCMCIA
Slot Usage Available
Bus Width 32 bit
Slot Designation PCMCIA 0
Characteristics 5V, 3.3V, PC Card-16, CardBus, Zoom Video, Modem Ring Resume
Slot Number 0

 

[robert600]

ok ... i started up the other laptop. It has the same motherboard as my other one ...OXD720.

the short answer is that i have no idea if your motherboard will work with the T7200. I would think for $10 it would be worth trying.

The only other thing I can think of is... if you tell me what exact program gave you the info you posted above .... i could run that program and see what info I get and then compare it with yours.

oh by the way - i remembered something about the 6400s - this is for your information only -- i'm not suggesting you do it --- they were considered to be one of the best laptops to convert to a "Macinstein" --- that is, a pc that runs a mac os!

 

[qwertyjjj]

Thanks. I used speccy by piriform

 

[robert600]

ok ... i can download the free version and have a look and post you the results--- heading out to work now but will do it soon.

 

[robert600]

actually i had a bit more time than i thought before work. here you go from speccy;

Manufacturer Dell Inc.
Model 0XD720 (Microprocessor)
Chipset Vendor Intel
Chipset Model i945PM
Chipset Revision 03
Southbridge Vendor Intel
Southbridge Model 82801GHM (ICH7-M/U)
Southbridge Revision A1

BIOS
Brand Dell Inc.
Version A17
Date 6/13/2007
PCI Data
Slot PCMCIA
Slot Type PCMCIA
Slot Usage Available
Bus Width 32 bit
Slot Designation PCMCIA 0
Characteristics 5V, 3.3V, PC Card-16, CardBus, Zoom Video, Modem Ring Resume
Slot Number 0


As you can see .... very similar ... the chip set is slightly different but I remain optimistic that the T7200 would work just fine with your motherboard. There is no way to absolutely positively guaranty it though.

 

[robert600]

oh ... and if it is the "Bus Width 32 bit" that is worrying you. That is referring to the PCMIA connection (that is the little slot type thing on the right side of your laptop, above the hard drive bay) ... don't worry it does not mean that the motherboard can't use a 64 bit processor - it's all good!

 

[qwertyjjj]

I've read some posts saying that upgrading to 4gb prevents dual channel mode running on the ram. That true? If so, is there much performance gain just moving to 3.25ram (the rest is not recognised apparently on either 32 or 64bit).
Unless there's a bios setting for that?
Got a £2 valid licence from decommissioned hardware for win7. Just awaiting the CPU and ram now.

 

[robert600]

i have no idea why someone would say upgrading to 4 gb would prevent dual channel mode. I'm no expert on ram but i don't think that is correct. i also don't know why anyone would say that only 3.25 would be recognised by a 64 bit operating system ... that is only the top limit for a 32 bit system. Maybe they were talking specifically about your current processor - apparently it does not allow 64 bit operating systems.

Yes' the performance gain from switching to 2gb to 4 gb would be substantial even in running everyday type things - like web browses, playing movies etc etc. When programs fun out of ram to do their background calculations etc. - they are forced to use the hard disc - that is much, much slower. Also, don't forget you are not just increasing that amount of ram that you have - you are also increasing the speed (going from 533 to 667).
Good news about the win7 - is that for 64 bit or 32 bit or can the license do either? Don't forget to get good quality thermal paste and a bit of rubbing alcohol.

 

[qwertyjjj]

Finally got around to doing this. Replaced ram, put in new CPU plus paste. Did everything up.
When I start, the bios days, amount of system memory has changed, if you did not do this, please reseat the memory.
Holding F2 does nothing. I cannot get into the bios during splash screen loading.
Interestingly, I don't get presented with the options to enter setup. Pretty sure it used to say press f2 to enter.

Edit: forget that. I just had to wait 60 seconds then it beeped and allowed me to get in.

 

[qwertyjjj]

Current hard drive is 80gb. Is there a SSD I can upgrade to? Is it even worth it with this architecture or just use an external drive?