How much memory can you install in Dell Inspiron 6000 laptop?

You can install up to 2 Gigabyte (GB) of DDR2 memory in a Dell Inspiron 6000 notebook.  The Inspiron 6000 laptop uses a Mobile Intel 915GM Express Chipset.  It has 2 memory slots with maximum support of 2 GB of memory.  It comes pre-installed with 512 Megabytes (MB) of memory — 256 MB is installed in each slot.  These pre-installed memory modules are removable to allow upgrade.

The Inspiron 6000 uses DDR2 memory technology which supports DDR2 PC2-5300, DDR2 PC2-4200 and DDR2 PC2-3200 speeds.  Each memory slot can hold DDR2 PC2-5300, DDR2 PC2-4200 and DDR2 PC2-3200 with a maximum of 1 GB per slot.  So, to upgrade the Inspiron 6000 memory up to 2 GB, you need to buy 2 non-ECC modules of 1 GB or 2 non-ECC modules of 2 GB.  You don’t have to install the memory in pairs.

Here is how to install the memory in each slot:

Slot 1	Slot 2	Total
1 GB	1 GB	2 GB
2 GB	2 GB	2 GB
1 GB	2 GB	2 GB
2 GB	1 GB	2 GB

Note:  During boot up, the system warns about a new amount of the total system memory.  Press F1 to continue or F2 to go into the setup.  So, press F2 to go into the setup.

What if you try to install 2 GB in each slot or 2 GB in one slot and 1 GB in another slot?  The system only recognizes a maximum of 2 GB, so whatever over the limit is ignored.  This is the limitation of the chipset in the computer.  You can not change this limitation unless you replace the chipset.  Does it sound like changing a motherboard?

In conclusion, Dell Inspiron 6000 only supports a total of 2 GB memory, using DDR2 memory technology with DDR2 PC2-5300, DDR2 PC2-4200 and DDR2 PC2-3200 speeds.  It does not matter how much you try to exceed the limit, the chipset only reads 2 GB of memory present.

References

1. Dell Inspiron 6000 Documentation on Dell’s Support Site
2. Dell Inspiron 6000 specs and Laptop specifications – CNET Reviews
3. Computer memory upgrades for Dell Inspiron 6000 laptop/Notebook from Crucial.com
4. The overview of the Mobile Intel® 915GMS Express chipset

Memory for Dell Inspiron 6000

1. Crucial Technology 512MB 200-Pin PC2-4200 533MHZ SODIMM DDR2 RAM
2. Crucial 1 GB DDR2-667 Sodimm
3. Crucial 2GB Set (2x1GB) 200-Pin PC2 5300 667Mhz SODIMM DDR2 RAM

Memory Specification for MSI K8N NEO4 Motherboard

 

An MSI K8N NEO4 motherboard has 4 184-pin DIMM slots using Double Data Rate (DDR) memory technology.  It supports both single channel and dual channel DDR-266 (PC-2100), DDR-333 (PC-2700), DDR-400 (PC-3200) standards and supports 2.5 volt DDR SDRAM DIMM.

The four DIMM slots are color coded — DIMM1 (Channel A): Green, DIMM2 (Channel B): Purple, DIMM3 (Channel A): Green, and DIMM4 (Channel B): Purple.

The color code determines whether a single-channel or dual-channel operation is used when a combination of DIMM module is installed in the slots.  It also determines the maximum speed of the combined memory installed in the slots.

This motherboard allows you to install up to 4 GB of DDR memory by populating all four slots with either a single-sided or double-sided DDR module in each slot.  Each DIMM slot supports 128 MB, 256 MB, 512 MB and up to a maximum size of 1 GB.  You need to install at least one DIMM module in the slots, and you should install it in the green slot first. 

Each DIMM can work respectively for single-channel DDR, and you may install memory modules of different type and density on different-channel DDR DIMMs.  However, there are some rules while using dual-channel DDR, and the same type and density memory modules are necessary while using dual-channel DDR, or instability may happen.

Dual-Channel DDR Installation

Green DIMM1 (Channel A)	Purple DIMM2 (Channel B)	Green DIMM3 (Channel A)	Purple DIMM4 (Channel B)	Total Memory
1 GB	1 GB			2 GB
		1 GB	1 GB	2 GB
1 GB	1 GB	1 GB	1 GB	4 GB

Single-Channel DDR Installation

Green DIMM1 (Channel A)	Purple DIMM2 (Channel B)	Green DIMM3 (Channel A)	Purple DIMM4 (Channel B)	Total Memory
1 GB		1 GB		2 GB
	1 GB		1 GB	2 GB
1 GB	1 GB	1 GB	1 GB	4 GB

To gain the maximum memory speed of DDR-400, MSI recommends the following memory combination when using either a single-sided or double-sided DDR memory module.

Note:  A single-sided memory module has chips that occupy one side of the module.  A dual-sided memory module has chips that occupy both sides of the module.

MSI Recommends Memory Combination

DIMM Slots				Maximum Speed
DIMM1	DIMM2	DIMM3	DIMM4
Single-Sided				DDR-400
		Single-Sided		DDR-400
Double-Sided				DDR-400
		Double-Sided		DDR-400
Single-Sided		Single-Sided		DDR-400
Double-Sided		Double-Sided		DDR-333
Single-Sided	Single-Sided			DDR-400
		Single-Sided	Single-Sided	DDR-400
Double-Sided	Double-Sided			DDR-400
		Double-Sided	Double-Sided	DDR-400
Single-Sided	Single-Sided	Single-Sided	Single-Sided	DDR-400
Double-Sided	Double-Sided	Double-Sided	Double-Sided	DDR-333

Conclusion

An MSI K8N Neo4 motherboard supports DDR-266/333/400 using 184-pin SDRAM DIMMs.  Each of the four DIMM slots supports a maximum size of 1 GB.  So, you can maximize the size of the memory up to 4 GB by installing a 1 GB of either a single-sided or double-sided DDR memory module in each of the four slots.  You enable a dual-channel memory operation when you install a DDR module in a green DIMM1 and a DDR module in a purple DIMM2.  You enable a single-channel memory operation when you install a DDR module in a green DIMM1 and a DDR module in a green DIMM3.  You should follow MSI’s combined memory configuration when you want a maximum memory speed of DDR-400.

References

1. MSI Computer Corporation – K8N Neo4 Platinum/SLI
   http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p_spec.asp?model=K8N_Neo4_Platinum/SLI&class=mb
2. What is Dual Channel Memory & How do I use it Correctly?
   http://www.legendmemory.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=317

DDR Memory for MSI K8N NEO4

1. Corsair VS2GBKIT400C3 Value Select 2GB 2 x 1GB PC3200 400MHz 184-Pin DDR CL3 Dual Channel Desktop Memory Kit – From CORSAIR VALUE SELECT
2. Crucial 2 GB Kit (2 x 1GB) DDR PC3200 UNBUFFERED NON-ECC 184-PIN DIMM – From CRUCIAL TECHNOLOGY
3. Kingston Technologies 1GB DDR SDRAM Desktop Memory (KVR400/1GR) – From Kingston H. Corporation
4. OCZ OCZP4001G DDR 400 PC-3200 Platinum 1GB Module – From OCZ Technology
5. OCZ Technology 2 GB DDR PC-3200 Kit (OCZ4002048ELDCPE-K) – From OCZ Technology