Dell Inspiron 1520: Viable After Market Upgrades

[modifieda4]

thanks for this thread! I've ordered some parts to bring new life into the 1520.
From:

T7700/7500rpm HD 100GB/win xp

to:

T9300/OCZ vertex 2 60 GB/win 7 ultimate 64bit

I have 4gig of ram, and was considering going to 6gig...though won't I lose the dual channel mode?

[Mihael Keehl]

thanks for this thread! I've ordered some parts to bring new life into the 1520.
From:

T7700/7500rpm HD 100GB/win xp

to:

T9300/OCZ vertex 2 60 GB/win 7 ultimate 64bit

I have 4gig of ram, and was considering going to 6gig...though won't I lose the dual channel mode?

Excellent upgrade, the T9300 is a very powerful chip and if you need 64-bit drivers, let me know I'll have to dig them up. I had them before and the 6GB RAM won't make you lose Dual Channel, you'll still have 4GB of Dual Channel Memory, the extra 2GB will run in single-channel mode.

I'm not sure about the OCZ Vertex, as far as SSDs are concerned, I would perhaps just get a Samsung 470 128GB/256GB SSD. It'll probably give you better results because the 60GB just seems far too small for an OS, your stuff and to be able to run maintenance/trim on it.

You can find cheap ones on eBay with for much less than they are being sold for on NewEgg or TigerDirect. I would highly recommend the Samsung SSDs simply because they have the most reliable SSDs, especially in that generation.

[modifieda4]

Excellent upgrade, the T9300 is a very powerful chip and if you need 64-bit drivers, let me know I'll have to dig them up. I had them before and the 6GB RAM won't make you lose Dual Channel, you'll still have 4GB of Dual Channel Memory, the extra 2GB will run in single-channel mode.

I'm not sure about the OCZ Vertex, as far as SSDs are concerned, I would perhaps just get a Samsung 470 128GB/256GB SSD. It'll probably give you better results because the 60GB just seems far too small for an OS, your stuff and to be able to run maintenance/trim on it.

You can find cheap ones on eBay with for much less than they are being sold for on NewEgg or TigerDirect. I would highly recommend the Samsung SSDs simply because they have the most reliable SSDs, especially in that generation.

I was debating larger than 60GB but I have a 1TB raid 1 NAS box which has all my files. So the 60GB will be used ~20GB for win7, ~20GB for installed programs...with some leftover for temp files etc. I think the vertex line is rated for MTBF vs OCZ's other models so I think it will be be good enough.

Is there a utility that can tell you if the memory is running in dual channel mode? I'll definately go to 6GB if I can confirm performance wont be degraded along the way.

[Mihael Keehl]

I was debating larger than 60GB but I have a 1TB raid 1 NAS box which has all my files. So the 60GB will be used ~20GB for win7, ~20GB for installed programs...with some leftover for temp files etc. I think the vertex line is rated for MTBF vs OCZ's other models so I think it will be be good enough.

Is there a utility that can tell you if the memory is running in dual channel mode? I'll definately go to 6GB if I can confirm performance wont be degraded along the way.

It's your call on the SSD, but I recommend you do your research on the SSDs, take a look at AnandTech's website.

Performance won't be degraded, the actual term for using a 4GB + 2GB stick is Flex Mode. There are a number of documentations that explain but none better than the actual website.

[JP$]

I installed a new HDD in my ailing 1520. Unfortunately I diagnosed incorrectly, and was still running into problems. Further (more careful) testing revealed that it was the RAM all along. Removed one of the RAM sticks and was finally able to install the OS (Windows XP Pro).

I'm now in the process of finding all the drivers. I have been running some tests to see if components are functioning correctly and I may have a problem with the video card. I installed a nVidia driver but a couple old games couldn't (a) play video off of the CD or (b) use 3D acceleration.

Would having only one stick of RAM installed impact 3D performance in any way? My guess was that it wouldn't, though I do intend to get a replacement stick (or possibly upgrade both sticks). If not, then I'll have to hunt for updated drivers tonight. I'm not sure if the one on the Dell site is working for me.

Edit: It was the driver. Went directly to nVidia and downloaded most recent driver for 8600m GT and things are looking better now.

[modifieda4]

It's your call on the SSD, but I recommend you do your research on the SSDs, take a look at AnandTech's website.

Performance won't be degraded, the actual term for using a 4GB + 2GB stick is Flex Mode. There are a number of documentations that explain but none better than the actual website.

thanks for the info, perhaps I will get some more memory. BTW, im posting this on the 1520 w/ win7 x64 and the SSD

Unfortuantely im still using the old processor, the faster one was DOA. 3 quick blink lights, and a wierd BIOS overheating message once I reinstalled the old processor...so no T9300 for me, yet.

A fresh win7 ultimate install with drivers and updates uses 13.2GB. (only 1GB page file and 50% hibernation file)

[derekleighstark]

I came across this forum post a few months back, and have been doing research into upgrading my 1520. And this has been invaluable. So thank you for your efforts in putting something like this together.

My 1520 started out in 2007. 1.6Ghz Dual Core, 80gb HD, DVD CD Writer, 2gb ram.

I used this forum to upgrade it to a T7500 2.2ghz Dual Core, 500GB HD, 6GB Ram. w/ Bluetooth, New Screws, New Processor fan.

I have a few other upgrades I want to do. I was wondering. If I get a 1525 Bezel and webcam, can I add it, and if so, where to I plug the webcam in on the motherboard? Also Flash Memory Modules. What kind of increase would I see, if any? If I added a 4GB chip to the FMM bay?

I am also going to pick up the 1520 Dell Remote, just to have it. I bought a new Asus and hated it after a week of testing it out. So I opted to upgrade my Dell instead. I am glad I did.

Again, thanks for your posts.

[Commander Wolf]

You can't use most 1525 parts on a 1520. All 1520 should have wiring for the webcam in place, though. You just need to buy a 1520 webcam module and the appropriate 1520 bezel. I dunno much about the flash cache, but I think you're much better off getting a straight SSD or a Momentus XT.

[Gigamaster89]

What is on the bottom center of the laptop directly where the main Dell sticker is?

My laptop is constantly producing an metallic whining noise from there.

[modifieda4]

i got my DOA CPU sorted out

so some upgrade info...
was:
T7500 2.2Ghz 4mb 800/HD/4GB ram/winxp prof [no win experience score]

to:
T7500 2.2Ghz 4mb 800/SSD/4GB ram/win7 x64 [no graphics drivers]

• 5.5,5.5,1,1,7.7

T7500 2.2Ghz 4mb 800/SSD/4GB ram/win7 x64 [with graphics drivers]

• 5.4,5.4,4.7,5.8,7.7

T7500 2.2Ghz 4mb 800/SSD/4GB ram/win7 x64 [with chipset and rapid store drivers]

• 5.5,5.5,4.7,5.9,7.7

T9300 2.5Ghz 6mb 800/SSD/4GB ram/win7 x64 [all drivers]

• 6.1,6.1,4.6,5.9,7.7

the compter working now...i'm very happy!