600x - not using all installed memory

[mnigro]

just treated my workhorse to a few long overdue updates. (1)added a larger & faster drive. no problems. (2) added 256 chip (sdram, 100mhz, cl3) to bring ram up to maximum allowed for model. (chip is good. tested in another model. also turned off hibernation before installing.) but, while the bios recognizes the full amount of installed ram, it still list only approx. 320 as usable. what do i need to do to get full use of ram? thanks.

[JHEM]

Is the new RAM lo-density (8 memory chips per side of the SO-DIMM)?

James

[mnigro]

4 chips per side

[rkawakami]

4 chips/side, 8 total is high density and will not work in the 600X. On the bright side, it will work in a T23 (and possibly some others).

[mnigro]

not sure i follow on the low vs high density. the card i put in is the same as another 256 chip already in it.

[JHEM]

On the bright side, it will work in a T23 (and possibly some others).

T23 requires PC133 memory Ray.

James

[mnigro]

meant to paste in the details on the chip i bought. hope this helps clarify what i have. thanks. 32X64NB100-N -- 256MB PC100 144-Pin Laptop SODIMM

[rkawakami]

T23 requires PC133 memory Ray.

Ack! You're right of course... thought I read PC133 in the OP. Guess I better check with my optometrist on getting the contacts adjusted . Thanks for catching that!

@mnigro Low vs. high density has to do with the memory size of the individual memory chips that are used on the module. Low density is deemed to be 16MB or smaller. High density is 32MB or larger. Strickly speaking, the actual difference is in the refreshing specification used by those parts. You can use low density modules in a system that has been designed to operate with high density modules, but you can't go the other way (high density modules in a low density system).

When determining low vs. high density you have to take into account the total memory size of the module and then divide that by the number of chips on the module. For example,

256MB low density module uses 16 chips (16MB x 16 = 256MB)

256MB high density module uses 8 chips (32MB x 8 = 256MB)

For your part number, I would guess this is what you have:

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid ... X64NB100-N

I believe the "32" in the part number refers to the 32MB devices that are on the module. If you can find one that's "16X64NB" then that would probably work. Just be sure to check that there's 16 parts on the board.

[mnigro]

thanks for the help! the low density was of course, the right fix. though it does seem that i'm not seeing as much of a performance increase from the extra 256 ram to what i already gained from going to a faster (5400) drive. is the processor on this model able to be upgraded?

[Grey Area]

is the processor on this model able to be upgraded?

Yes, but it depends on the particular machine you have how well this will work. The fastest CPU possible is the P3 850MHz. All compatible CPUs above 500MHz are Speedstep-processors and require a Speedstep-enabled motherboard to make use of the full speed potential, otherwise the CPU will run slower. Not all 600X come with such a motherboard. Those with a 650MHz-P3 do, the others may or may not - for more on this confusing issue see this fairly recent thread.

Björn

[bobgarty]

The Speedstep 600x was announced in Jan 2000, so it is probably a safe bet that no systems dated before then will be Speedstep capable - what is Speedstep capable after that, beyond the officially announced models and other obvious ones that run 650Mhz CPU's as standard, is anyones guess ...