How to make sure I'm upgrading to correct ram

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justin_dukkha

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Apr 2, 2014
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I have an older Dell Precision m4500 that I want to upgrade ram for. When I use Crucial scan it says 'no compatible upgrades', but if manually search Crucial and Memorystock.com both sites offer possible upgrades. My question is how do I know I am buying the correct ram that will work in this exact laptop. My boss order some and it wouldn't work, so between his attempt and the Crucial scan coming back empty I want to be sure I get correct one. Thanks!

************System**********

System Manufacturer:Dell Inc.
System Model: Precision M4500
System Version: 0001
IdentifyingNumber: 42RCWM1
System Type: x64-based PC

************Motherboard**********

Mother Board Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
Motherboard Model: 0RRH3K

************Processor**********

Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 CPU M 540 @ 2.53GHz
Processor Manufacturer: GenuineIntel
Processor Speed: 2534
Processor FSB: 533

************Bios**********

Bios: Dell Inc.
Version: A05

************Memory Details**********

Memory Manufacturer:
Installed RAM: 3.93 GB
Maximum RAM: 8 GB
Total Slots: 2
Capacity: 2048 MB,2048 MB,
Memory Type: 0,0,
Speed: 1067 MHz,1067 MHz,
Slots: DIMM_A,DIMM_B,
 
Solution
geofelt
CPU-Z will tell you exactly what ram you have.

If crucial does not say they have a compatible upgrade, I would believe them.
Ram is sold in kits for a reason.
A motherboard must manage all the ram using the same specs of voltage, cas and speed.
Ram from the same vendor and part number can be made up of differing manufacturing components over time.
Some motherboards can be very sensitive to this.

Try Kingston, corsair, G.skil, Patriot and perhaps other ram vendors to see if they have a upgrade or replacement kit.
If you are likely to have problems, you want ram manufacturer support.
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10tacle

10tacle

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Dec 6, 2008
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Pull your memory out and look at it (odds are you have one stick of 4GB in there). Then look up the model # and specs (1067MHz, Cas Latency 7 [CL7], and 1.5v for example). Then find 2x 4GB memory with the same specs yours is.

You can try and find another exact matching 4GB stick that you have, but not likely since OEMs like Dell often have their own memory vendors they work with that do not sell on the consumer market. And even if that is the case and you find one, there's no guarantee it will work with your original 4GB stick - the memory vendor may have changed memory chip manufacturers at some point.

NewEgg has a bunch of choices of both 2x 4GB kits and 1x 4GB single sticks. Between these two options I can't imagine you can't find something. https://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&IsNodeId=1&N=100007609%20600000401%20600564398%20600000399
 
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geofelt

geofelt

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Oct 9, 2006
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CPU-Z will tell you exactly what ram you have.

If crucial does not say they have a compatible upgrade, I would believe them.
Ram is sold in kits for a reason.
A motherboard must manage all the ram using the same specs of voltage, cas and speed.
Ram from the same vendor and part number can be made up of differing manufacturing components over time.
Some motherboards can be very sensitive to this.

Try Kingston, corsair, G.skil, Patriot and perhaps other ram vendors to see if they have a upgrade or replacement kit.
If you are likely to have problems, you want ram manufacturer support.
 
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Solution
J

justin_dukkha

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Apr 2, 2014
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JMBGr8d


Here is cpuz. Would this be correct:

New Ram
Latency: 7
Speed: 532.1 Mhz (10600?)
Volt?
 
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10tacle

10tacle

Splendid
Dec 6, 2008
4,941
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These are the specs of your 2GB stick you pulled according to this website:

http://www.cybershopcomputers.com/3/product.php?id_product=864

Technical Specs
Manufacturer Nanya
Manufacturer Part # NT2GC64B88B0NS-CG
Memory Type SODIMM
Capacity 2GB
Pins 204 Pin
Bus Type PC-10600
Cycle Time 1.5ns
Cas CL9
Data Transfer Rate 1333Mhz
Memory Clock 166Mhz
Rank Rank 1
Voltage 1.5

The only difference is that their specs show CL9 and CPU-Z is showing yours as CL7. I wouldn't trust CPU-Z's reading because your laptop's motherboard chipset might be throwing a false reading (it can happen).
 
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justin_dukkha

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Apr 2, 2014
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Just fyi for anyone reading this, links to ram for a m4500 quad core, but I have a dual core.
 
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