New Dell laptop not up to specs

[kmillerusaf]

Hey all,

I ordered a Dell Inspiron 1525 from the Dell online outlet store last week and received it Tuesday. The specs were supposed to be 2.4Ghz 3MB L2 Cache 800Mhz FSB processor, 4GB DDR2 PC2 6400 (800Mhz) RAM, 250GB 5400rpm HDD.

I got the right processor according to CPU-Z and the memory is rated to 800Mhz but it's ONLY running at 667Mhz... Could this be a bad motherboard or a motherboard that just doesn't support anything above 667Mhz? I think Dell is false advertising because one tech support person I spoke with from Dell told me the 1525's can't support anything more than 667Mhz. I can't find any information on the Dell motherboard so I am stuck having to listen to those idiots. Any answers anyone?

CPU-Z Validation

Keith

[glc]

As with all Intel processors, the cpu is quad pumped and the ram is double pumped. 667 on the ram is more than fast enough for that processor. All Dell is telling you is the motherboard cannot support a 2:1 ratio.

[kmillerusaf]

Not quite sure I follow... Could you explain in more detail or direct me to the information? I just don't understand why they would put 800Mhz memory in a system with a motherboard that won't support it...

[glc]

667 and 800 memory are essentially the same price these days. If you had a 1066 processor in there, then it would probably run at 800.

[kmillerusaf]

Do you know how I could find specs for the Dell motherboard? It's a 0UPP0C... The only thing I seen was 667Mhz as supported

[glc]

Does it really matter? I'm not trying to be a smartaleck, but this is really very insignificant.

[kmillerusaf]

I understand where you are coming from but if you pay $800 dollars for something and expect that it's what you ordered, wouldn't you be a bit mad if it wasn't?

[glc]

It's probably EXACTLY what you ordered - if you pull the ram and read the labels, I'd bet that it is DDR2-800 ram.

I'd also bet that your "C" drive does not show as 250gb. It's probably about 216gb. Hint - a 250gb drive shows as 232gb, but Dell has a recovery partition and a utility partition which are both hidden and won't show up except in Disk Management.

I think you are trying to find a reason to criticize Dell. The other laptop manufacturers are no better.

[kmillerusaf]

I feel like you are attacking me. I am no flamer. I said CPU-Z said it was 800Mhz memory so I believe that it is, I'm just wondering why it isn't running at that speed. I just wish they would have said what it was running at, not the rated speed. And I understand about the HDD AND the video card using some of the memory.

[glc]

Not attacking you or accusing you of flaming. We don't do that here and I apologize if that's the impression you are getting. It's simply that you are giving me the impression that you are going out of your way to try to find fault with something you just bought. If you don't like it, send it back, that's easy enough to do. I just don't think you are being fair in your criticism, to each their own I guess.

[kmillerusaf]

I like the laptop a lot. I guess I just had false thoughts of what it was supposed to be when I first ordered it. It said DDR2 800 memory so I was expecting it to run at that speed. It also said 2.4 Ghz for the processor but it only runs at that speed under the high performance power option during significant load. I think what pissed me off most about Dell was when I was trying to get answers, I was hung up on at least 4 times, could not get the answers I wanted and they refused to give me any type of compensation for what I felt was false advertising. This is my 2nd Dell laptop experience and I really like the first experience. I love this laptop, just felt that if I am going to spend my money on something, it should be exactly as described, that's all. They are shipping a new mobo and memory out here to see if it's a bad motherboard but that took me 4 days of calling to get to.

[glc]

It also said 2.4 Ghz for the processor but it only runs at that speed under the high performance power option during significant load.

That's not a Dell issue, this is common with all manufacturers with the Centrino system. You can disable Speedstep in the bios if it makes you feel better. Also, it only runs on one core when on the battery, period.

[kmillerusaf]

Yeah but speedstep just runs the system at 1.2Ghz all the time. I would love to see the laptop run at 2.4Ghz ALL the time but it doesn't. Even when I set the power options' advanced settings to 100% of the processor state. I guess I am just unaware of laptop technology and how it works. I was under the assumption, I would have 2.4Ghz at my finger tips all the time.

[glc]

You are expecting desktop performance out of a mainstream laptop. This is not a realistic expectation. If that's what you want, you should buy a laptop that's sold as a "desktop replacement". Expect to pay well over $1000, expect awful battery life, and expect it to put out major heat. You got a hell of a machine for your 800 bucks, and if you buy a 9 cell battery for it, it will run all day on a battery charge if you put all the power management back to defaults and close the lid when you aren't using it.

[kmillerusaf]

Oh I know this is a decent laptop for the money... And I am not looking for a desktop replacement, I was just unsure of the technology I guess. And you are right, it would have been a good idea to get a 9 Cell battery along with this laptop. Maybe I'll do that soon.