Adding memory myself?

tichtich · 26-04-2008, 10:31 AM

Hi. I'm planning to buy a Dell Inspiron laptop that comes with 2Gb RAM as standard, but I'm sure I'll want to increase the RAM at some stage. As I was under the impression that user RAM upgrades were difficult, I was going to buy my system with a pre-fitted upgrade to 3Gb. But I read yesterday (possibly on this web site?) that it's not so difficult after all, and can save a decent bit of money. So now I'm thinking of doing it myself. But I have a few questions.

- Will installing RAM myself void the warranty?

- Does it matter what brand of RAM I use?

- Is it worth going up to 4Gb? I know that I can't access the full 4Gb, but it might be worth doing if I can access 3.5 Gb and the memory is relatively cheap. Does anyone know how much RAM an Inspiron 1525 or 1720 can access? (I'll be getting the standard integrated graphics, if that makes any difference.)

- Any suggestions for what to do with the 1Gb module(s) I'll be removing? I don't suppose there'll be much demand for them, as I expect a lot of other people will be in the same boat.

tichtich · 26-04-2008, 11:10 AM

Me again. I've checked a couple of sites for memory prices:
Computer memory upgrades for Dell Inspiron 1525 Laptop/Notebook from Crucial.com
DELL INSPIRON 1525 - MEMORY ( RAM ) UPGRADE FROM ORCA LOGIC LTD

Best of these is £32.78 for a 2Gb module. Not much of a saving over having it pre-installed. I suppose the cost of the unwanted 1Gb module cancels out much of the potential saving.

My best bet might be to stick with the standard 2Gb and only upgrade if and when I feel the need. If that's not for a while, prices will have fallen.

I was a bit paranoid about 2Gb not being enough to run Vista smoothly, especially as I like to have a lot of windows and IE tabs open at the same time. But I'm probably worrying too much.

Paul · 26-04-2008, 07:40 PM

Hi tichtich, welcome to the forum.

If you upgrade the memory on your Dell laptop by yourself you will not void the warranty. In the manual for the Inspiron 1525 Dell give you clear instructions how to do it, and it is a very easy process.

Also if you buy memory yourself I would advise you to use Crucial, they are a very well known brand and supply very good quality memory with a decent guarantee.

Regarding sufficient memory for Vista, I don't know as I am still running Windows XP. From what I have read though, the more the better. Maybe someone who is running Vista can add a comment

tichtich · 27-04-2008, 06:00 PM

Thanks for the info, Paul. In the end I decided to go for just 2Gb RAM, and upgrade later if I feel the need. The consensus on the web seems to be that there's not much benefit in having more than 2Gb at present.

np99 · 28-04-2008, 08:57 AM

Vista 32 bit cant use any more memory than 3GB, but Vista 64bit can and does work with core2duo. Also dell are pretty cheap for memory (£26.63inc when bought seperately) here

mikeouk · 01-12-2008, 05:51 PM

if you upgrade your ram, let me know ,id be interested in your old memory.

26-04-2008, 10:31 AM	#1
tichtich Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Adding memory myself? Hi. I'm planning to buy a Dell Inspiron laptop that comes with 2Gb RAM as standard, but I'm sure I'll want to increase the RAM at some stage. As I was under the impression that user RAM upgrades were difficult, I was going to buy my system with a pre-fitted upgrade to 3Gb. But I read yesterday (possibly on this web site?) that it's not so difficult after all, and can save a decent bit of money. So now I'm thinking of doing it myself. But I have a few questions. - Will installing RAM myself void the warranty? - Does it matter what brand of RAM I use? - Is it worth going up to 4Gb? I know that I can't access the full 4Gb, but it might be worth doing if I can access 3.5 Gb and the memory is relatively cheap. Does anyone know how much RAM an Inspiron 1525 or 1720 can access? (I'll be getting the standard integrated graphics, if that makes any difference.) - Any suggestions for what to do with the 1Gb module(s) I'll be removing? I don't suppose there'll be much demand for them, as I expect a lot of other people will be in the same boat.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

26-04-2008, 11:10 AM	#2
tichtich Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Me again. I've checked a couple of sites for memory prices: Computer memory upgrades for Dell Inspiron 1525 Laptop/Notebook from Crucial.com DELL INSPIRON 1525 - MEMORY ( RAM ) UPGRADE FROM ORCA LOGIC LTD Best of these is £32.78 for a 2Gb module. Not much of a saving over having it pre-installed. I suppose the cost of the unwanted 1Gb module cancels out much of the potential saving. My best bet might be to stick with the standard 2Gb and only upgrade if and when I feel the need. If that's not for a while, prices will have fallen. I was a bit paranoid about 2Gb not being enough to run Vista smoothly, especially as I like to have a lot of windows and IE tabs open at the same time. But I'm probably worrying too much.

26-04-2008, 07:40 PM	#3
Paul Administrator Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 356 Thanks: 1 Thanked 26 Times in 23 Posts	Hi tichtich, welcome to the forum. If you upgrade the memory on your Dell laptop by yourself you will not void the warranty. In the manual for the Inspiron 1525 Dell give you clear instructions how to do it, and it is a very easy process. Also if you buy memory yourself I would advise you to use Crucial, they are a very well known brand and supply very good quality memory with a decent guarantee. Regarding sufficient memory for Vista, I don't know as I am still running Windows XP. From what I have read though, the more the better. Maybe someone who is running Vista can add a comment

27-04-2008, 06:00 PM	#4
tichtich Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the info, Paul. In the end I decided to go for just 2Gb RAM, and upgrade later if I feel the need. The consensus on the web seems to be that there's not much benefit in having more than 2Gb at present.

28-04-2008, 08:57 AM	#5
np99 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Vista 32 bit cant use any more memory than 3GB, but Vista 64bit can and does work with core2duo. Also dell are pretty cheap for memory (£26.63inc when bought seperately) here

01-12-2008, 05:51 PM	#6
mikeouk Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	if you upgrade your ram, let me know ,id be interested in your old memory.