[vagreasedeals]

I have two Dell Mini 9s, both which I would like to upgrade from 1GB to 2GB. Is it possible for me to purchase a 4GB Memory pack (2x2GB sticks) and put one of them in each of my Dell Mini 9s?

[brookheather]

Yes of course!

[vagreasedeals]

Thanks for the quick response. Another thing, I'm going with the Kingston HyperX memory upgrade (since that is the best, from what i have read in these forums). Would it be any problem if I went with DDR2-667? I know the Dell Mini maxes out at 533, but I wanted to know what the advantages and disadvantages were for going with the 667. The only reason I am going with the 667 is because I am getting a better deal.

[Zion]

The only real advantage you'll probably see is that the RAM will run a little bit cooler since its rated for a higher speed but it will be running slower..

This is the reason why the stock RAM provided from Dell is usually DDR2-800...

Now if you compare CAS latencies, then there's some performance difference to evaluate too..

[vagreasedeals]

Originally Posted by Zion

The only real advantage you'll probably see is that the RAM will run a little bit cooler since its rated for a higher speed but it will be running slower..

This is the reason why the stock RAM provided from Dell is usually DDR2-800...

Now if you compare CAS latencies, then there's some performance difference to evaluate too..

Can you elaborate on the performance differences you alluded to? More specifically, I am purchasing Kingston HyperX PC2-5300 DDR2-667 4GB (2 x 2GB) Dual Channel memory. There are two conditions for which I am making this purchase...

1) I have two Dell Mini 9s. I intend to use one stick in each of the netbooks.

2) I know the Dell Mini 9s max out at DDR2-533, but I'm getting a better deal with the DDR2-667.

All I want to know is that there will be no disadvantages to using this method as compared to buying two separate sticks of Kingston HyperX PC2-4200 DDR2-533 2GB memory. Thanks in advance.

[ImprobableMiniUser]

CAS latency, put in the simplest terms, is the time it takes between the RAM being asked to access a certain part of the memory and when that information is available to the computer. This is an oversimplification, but its also a standard benchmark of ram performance. Gnereally the faster the ram, the longer the latency. This is a tradeoff that is made as the ram gets faster, but must operate within safe and practical temperature and voltage thresholds. DDR3 ram, with its blazing fast clock speeds, will have much longer latencies than slower DDR2 ram. To a lesser extent, DDR2 at 1066 may have longer latencies than DDR 800, which may have longer latencies than DDR2 533.

All of that said, you will notice zero difference between whatever you're considering for your new ram with regards to CAS latency, so I'd just ignore that statistic alltogether. If you can get a good deal on your 2x2gb ram kit, absolutely do it. Those kits are sold because the two sticks of ram match particularly well for use in computers that benefit from something called dual channel memory. They are made from the same batch of memory chips, so there is less chance of the two sticks having problems with each other, as there are tighter tolerances, as well as improved performance when memory is operated in dual channel mode. So these two sticks of ram are normal ram sticks that just happen to be quite well suited for each other. They will operate just fine living independent lives in different machines. And extra memory will benefit every machine.

Hope this helps!