Memory for Gateway 7410GX?

[pappadj]

I just picked up my Gateway 7410GX notebook. It has an Apollo K8 chipet. I'm going to take out the existing (whopping 256MB) memory that came with it and get a 512. I would like something that will compliment the system and is fast and around or under $100.

Gateway 7410GX Details

Here are a few that I'm looking at. Please let me know which one is the best or if there is a better and I'm not partial to Newegg but I've been satisfied with Corsair for most of my systems. But whatever works. Thanks for the help.

$97 - CORSAIR XMS 200-Pin 512MB DDR SO-DIMM PC-3200 Low Latency - Retail
Model#: CMXSD512-3200LL
Cas Latency: 2.5-3-3-6

$112 - Geil Golden Dragon 200 Pin 512MB DDR SO-DIMM PC-3200 - Retail
Item#: N82E16820144802
Cas Latency: 2.5 8-3-3

$105 - KINGSTON 200-Pin 512MB DDR SODIMM PC-3200, Model KVR400X64SC3A/512
Model# KVR400X64SC3A/512
Cas Latency: 3

 

[dapic]

well, I haven't been following RAM technology, so, how important are the latency ratings now?

And on tigerdirect.com, the info about eMachine m6805 says only 1 SODIMM is user accessible. So we can only swap out one ram module?

m6805 @tigerdirect

It seems that if not for TigerDirect's reputaion now, the m6805 for $999 AR might also be a good deal.

 

[Detroit21]

Are you sure it is 7410GX ????

Actually it sould be 7210GX. ANd it has a Sempron/AMD XP processor instead of A64.(lower cache size etc ; like a P4 with disabled cache called Celeron)...

Best buy has 7210 GX...

Check your system properties ......

COmpUSA might have wrongly printed it ???????

When 7405 has a 512 memory and 64 bit 3200+ processor...
Everyone should expect 7410 to be a model with higher specs rather than with lower specs...???
If what you tell is right then I am surprised by Gateway strategies !!!

 

[ShellGuy]

If you want to be on about the Emachine yes only one mem slot is user replaceable... And it is a PAIN to get to the second.. If you want to c y look here...


Will G.

 

[pappadj]

It definitley is a 7410gx It's the next version after the 7405gx. Not sure if it's the ultrabright monitor with a 5400rpm hdd or not yet but I just got home and first chance I really got to play with it. I'm willing to jump in to get that second slot. I didn't extend my warranty for a reason I've been inside about 6 notebooks in my time which is not a lot at all but if I can just get the right screwdriver for those damn screws on the bottom I would be set. I about stripped the top of one with the set I have now... they are on supppppper tight.

OK that aside. Sandra info comin up

SiSoftware Sandra

Chipset 1
Model : VIA Technologies Inc Apollo K8HTB CPU to PCI Bridge
Bus(es) : ISA AGP PCI IMB CardBus USB FireWire/1394 i2c/SMBus
Version : 1.02
Front Side Bus Speed : 2x 800MHz (1600MHz data rate)
In/Out Width : 16-bit / 16-bit
IO Queue Depth : 3 request(s)

Chipset 2
Model : Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) Athlon 64 / Opteron HyperTransport Technology Configuration
Bus(es) : ISA AGP PCI IMB CardBus USB FireWire/1394 i2c/SMBus
Version : 1.02
Front Side Bus Speed : 2x 800MHz (1600MHz data rate)
Maximum FSB Speed / Max Memory Speed : 2x 1000MHz / 2x 200MHz
In/Out Width : 16-bit / 16-bit
IO Queue Depth : 8 request(s)

Chipset 2 Hub Interface
Type : HyperTransport
Version : 1.02
In/Out Width : 16-bit / 16-bit
Speed : 2x 800MHz (1600MHz data rate)

Logical/Chipset 2 Memory Banks
Bank 0 : 128MB DDR-SDRAM 2.5-3-3-3CL 1CMD
Bank 1 : 128MB DDR-SDRAM 2.5-3-3-3CL 1CMD
Channels : 1
Bank Interleave : 2-way
Speed : 2x 164MHz (328MHz data rate)
Multiplier : 1/11x
Width : 64-bit
Refresh Rate : 6.00µs
Power Save Mode : No
Fixed Hole Present : No

APIC 1
Version : 0.03
Multiplier : 1/2x
Maximum Interrupts : 24
IRQ Handler Engaged : Yes
Enhanced Support : Yes

Memory Module(s)
Memory Module 1 : Nanya NT256D64SH8BAGM-6K 256MB 8x(16Mx16) DDR-SDRAM PC2700U-2533-700 (CL2.5 up to 167MHz) (CL2 up to 133MHz)

 

[pappadj]

Oh and the cpu stuff too... yess the PowerNow is set to performance so that's why it shows the 1.80 for the speed where it should be.

SiSoftware Sandra

Processor
Model : Mobile AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3000+
Speed : 1.80GHz
Model Number : 3000 (estimated)
Performance Rating : PR2706 (estimated)
Type : Mobile
Package : FC µPGA754
Multiplier : 9/1x
Minimum/Maximum Multiplier : 4/1x / 9/1x
Generation : G8
Name : M4 Mobile Athlon 64 (K8 ClawHammer) 130nm 1.4GHz-2.2 1.45-1.55V
Revision/Stepping : 4 / A (208)
Stepping Mask : SH7-CG
Core Voltage Rating : 1.400V
Min/Max Core Voltage : 0.950V / 1.450V
Maximum Physical / Virtual Addressing : 40-bit / 48-bit
Native Page Size : 4kB

 

[Detroit21]

Gateway site metions only two AMD based notebooks( 7210 having XP &
7405 having A64 3200+)

And the pics seems an artist image of their laptops(so thin....)

http://www.gateway.com/home/pr...atalog.shtml?cmpid=ret*HP*seglinks*Retail*HOMEPAGE#3


And now I saw the deal you mentioned in the forum...Thats a steal
$899.99 for this lappie...thats really great combined with $250 instant rebate

http://image.compusa.com/retai...pla=ppt&cm_ite=ded

You may be right as your specs are totally different than 7210.
And 7410 is only available at CompUSA...Probably I will go & check it..
Best of luck having fun with lappie!

 

[pappadj]

I know what you all are thinking as the 7410gx is NOWHERE to be found. I looked everywhere. But it's legit and it's a quick system even with 256MB of memory but I really want to upgrade it. I'm thinking the 512MB Corsair chip unless anyone here has any other suggestions. I saw shellguy's post and it should be a little easier for me as this one doesn't have a media reader which is a bit of a drag but o well. The laps I've worked on in the past could not be upgraded. I think I'll get the 512MB now and snag a complimenting 1GB Corsair chip in the future but I would like to get a 1GB LL PC3200 chip now but the prices are crazy on those right now. I will buy today so if anyone has any other information that would help please let me know. I've heard there is or was a problem with 2xPC3200 chips. Dunno if that's something to still worry about.

O and a thread on the notebook deal can be found here if it helps.

 

[MoSuaveA]

I ended up grabbing one last night on the way home from work. Did notice that the fan does run a little loud, but I am definitely satisfied with the purchase. Let me know what RAM you are using to upgrade as I want to pick some up myself, and also how difficult it is to install if at all.

 

[Detroit21]

How is the laptop performance...

Especially:
1)Speakers (Is it loud enough)
2)Screen case weakness if any
3)Any other comments
4)Is it the low voltage one(9 micron or 13 micron)

Can you spend some time to give review

 

[pappadj]

Hey Detroit, the speakers are decent, I haven't really heard a lot from them yet but the VIA audio is decent but I haven't pumped up the volume yet. I watched Matrix on it and it looked and sounded fantastic at about 70% audio (not sure where windows audio was.. maybe 1/2 way) and the notebook was about 3 feet away. I don't know if it's an ultrabright but I know the many dim scenes and black clothing contrasted well and I didn't have a problem at all.

As far as the processor... see if the info up top and the link on my previous post for more specs. I'm not at home right now so will have to check later. I'm not sure if the 130nm translates to 13microns or if something else will help identify it but I don't have much time atm.

I'm ordering the Corsair XMS pc3200 from newegg right now. If you want to wait, I'll post results when I get it.

 

[MoSuaveA]

Any chance you recieved that memory yet? If you did or when you do, let me know the results. Thanks

 

[pappadj]

got the memory and installed it yesterday.... works like a champ. There is a trick to opening the case... I'll post it in a few


OK in the link from shellguy above you want to take some long stares at the pics.... ok stop staring now

Basically here's the steps to opening it up and since there is no media reader in it you wont have too much trouble once you get in... but it's important to know the steps.

1) remove screws from underneath (not sure which ones are important. I did all just to make sure. It's helpfull to keep a layout of where the screws go back as some are longer than others. I drew a diagram on a piece of paper and taped each screw on so on so I knew exactly how they go back). Use a good screw driver as they are rather tight and are easy to strip.

2) looking at the first pic on that link from shellguy, notice that on the bottom of the lcd there are 2 grey covers for the hinges directly under the monitor screen, they are connected to a horizontal black cover piece that has the word Gateway on it (in the pic it has e-machines... same design). The piece is separate from the black plastic that run lengthwise down the sides of the keyboard even though it looks connected. You will break the system if you attempt to pry it open any other way. Check the third pic to see how it is separate from the rest of the top plastic and you should understand.

The rest is pretty much self explanatory. Have fun!

 

[Kaido]

I stopped by Best Buy last night - they said they'll do ram installations for $30 and hard drive installations for $40. Hard drives are easy to install and don't void the warranty, so you're probably better off doing that yourself. On the eMachines and Gateway a64 laptops (both made by Arima), there are two ram slots - one is user-accessible, one is not (ie if you install both ram sticks yourself, you'll void the warranty).

The model I'm looking at, the Gateway 7405GX, comes with 2x256mb ram. Best Buy will install both sticks for $30 without voiding the warranty. I've been posting over at Notebook Forums and got some good information from there. I had wanted to put in 2x512mb Crucial (I like Crucial's stability), but I'm probably just going to buy a 1gb stick to put in myself. The Crucial comes out to about $240 for two sticks and installation, and I found a stick of Transcend for about $238 shipped on Newegg. It has good ratings and lots of people have been using it on their laptops without problems, especially the eMachines (same chassis as the gateways, since gateway now owns emachines). So for about the same price, you can get 1.25gb by installing yourself instead of 1gb of ram. Since you can put the 1gb stick in the user-accessible slot, it won't void the warranty. Oh, and it is possible to put 2 gigs in, if you put in 2x1gb sticks. The spec sheet only says 1.25gb because only one slot is user-accessible. I believe you have to use ddr333 - I've heard ddr400 has major issues.

The other things I'm going to do once I get it is add a 60gb 7200rpm Hitachi hard drive and ebay the included 80 gig 4200rpm drive, and clean-install XP Pro (I'm not an XP Home fan). I believe included hard drive is 4200rpm, but it may be 5400rpm. At any rate, upgrading to a 7200rpm hard drive only cuts battery life by 4 or 5 minutes and gives you a nice speed boost in return. It runs about $150 new, and 80 gig laptop drives are going for ~$100 on ebay, so it'd really only be $50 for the drive if you can sell the included one. Although, it might be nice to put it in an enclosure and use it for portable storage...

I really wish someone would make a 100gb, 7200rpm, 16mb cache laptop drive. Toshiba has an 80gb 5400rpm with an 16mb buffer which is supposed to be pretty good.