Can someone tell me a bit about my hardware limitations?

Toydotgam · 05 Jul 2020

Hi, I've been reading a bit into my system's specs on the Dell website, and I noticed that my system has a maximum of 4GB of RAM that can be installed (It comes with 3GB, and it has a 64-bit CPU in it, so it's not the 32-bit CPU RAM limit). I wanted to know what causes these limitations, is it the CPU or motherboard, or is there some little component that restricts this?

I'm also curious about my CPU (Currently an Intel Pentium T4400), is it possible to upgrade the CPU to something faster? Maybe if the RAM limitation was by the CPU, would swapping it increase my limit? Is there another component that would also restrict how far I can upgrade my CPU?

I'm just a bit curious, I'm not thinking of upgrading my components at this point as 3GB of RAM does go pretty far, even by today's standards. Knowing a bit more about my system would definitely satisfy my curiosity.

Megahertz07 · 05 Jul 2020

Normally the limitation is the MB / chipset.

Intel(R) Pentium(R) Processor T4400 (1M Cache, 2.20 GHz, 800 MHz FSB) Socket P Product Specifications
Datasheets for Mobile Intel(R) Pentium(R) Processor

As it is a Laptop, is hard to say if it can have another CPU as BIOS can only work for the T4400.

As you have 3G of memory, Win 7 32 bits will run better than 64 bits.

LMiller7 · 05 Jul 2020

There are multiple factors that limit maximum RAM in a computer. The effective limit is whichever is the lowest.
In no particular order:
1. The OS limit.
2. The limit imposed by the CPU & chipset.
3. The number and maximum capacity of the RAM slots provided. Few laptops have more than 2, some lave less.

In laptops in particular #2 or #3 usually impose the limit. It may be both. If the CPU the computer was designed for has a specific limit the manufacturer has little reason to provide MB facilities that can provide more.

Upgrading the CPU in a laptop is often problematic. There is more to compatibility than finding a CPU with the same socket. The BIOS must be designed for the new CPU. A BIOS upgrade may or may not provide this compatibility. Even if the CPU is otherwise compatible an upgrade may run hotter. Heat is often a problem in the confined space and limited ventilation of a laptop. May laptops run hot under normal conditions.

dg1261 · 05 Jul 2020

Toydotgam said:

I've been reading a bit into my system's specs on the Dell website, and I noticed that my system has a maximum of 4GB of RAM that can be installed

Are you talking about the 1545 in your System Specs? If so, the Dell Setup Guide (pg 57) and the Crucial website both indicate the 1545 can take a max of 8GB (2 slots x 4GB each).

SIW2 · 05 Jul 2020

Dell Inspiron 1545 Processor and RAM Upgrade

Maxing out the RAM on a Dell Inspiron 1545 to 8gb

Toydotgam · 07 Jul 2020

dg1261 said:

Are you talking about the 1545 in your System Specs? If so, the Dell Setup Guide (pg 57) indicate the 1545 can take a max of 8GB (2 slots x 4GB each).

That is a really pleasant surprise! I must have been reading wrong when I quickly read through the manual a few years back. I think knowing this, I might look into a RAM upgrade if I can go as far as 8GB!

Toydotgam · 07 Jul 2020

I think I'm going to save a bit to get some new RAM and upgrade it.

Thanks for all of the links too! I'm going to read some more also on upgrading the CPU one day.

Edit: After doing some research, and finding a site which listed similar CPUs to my current Pentium T4400, and this video by the same guy @SIW2 sent a link of; it confirmed the CPU I was looking at was indeed compatible.
I'm going to buy some new RAM first, then save for a Core 2 Duo T9900.

SIW2 · 07 Jul 2020

Old ddr2 ram can be cheap

4-gb-pc6400-ddr2-800mhz-200-pin-memory

4-gb-pc5300-ddr2-667mhz-200-pin-memory

SIW2 · 07 Jul 2020

Worth thinking it through. Anything you spend on that old laptop could otherwise have gone towards buying a somewhat more recent laptop ( they can be had second hand)

For example :

buying an ssd will not be waste because it can be moved to another machine or used as external storage with appropriate case added.

Buying additional ram is specific to your current machine - and is probably worth it if you can get it cheap

Replacing the cpu is also specific to that machine - a bit fiddly but not that difficult. It also requires buying thermal paste and depends how expensive the "new" cpu is. Might or might not be worth it, depending on what you can find second hand.

Toydotgam · 07 Jul 2020

I've found both new RAM and a CPU, with both coming in at ~$50; which I think is reasonable for the maximum my PC can have. I don't know if they're reasonable in the case of old computer parts, so I'll definitely look around more to make sure.