Laptop upgrades mainly RAM and WIFI card; Advice?

russell664 · 10 Mar 2015 at 22:36

Hello fellow OCUK'rs,

*Sorry if this is in the wrong section, please move it if it is

*

I have been asked by my Dad about upgrading his Laptop RAM and WIFI card to a 300MBS one.

However, I do not have much experience when it comes to some laptop bits.
In regards to the RAM, I have had a look around but can only find 1GB sticks, and I would need a single 2GB stick to up the system to 4GB of system memory.

The laptop is a Dell Inspiron 1545.

I have attached some pictures below, so you guys can have a look and maybe tell me what exactly I should be looking for to find what I want?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

tres_kun · 10 Mar 2015 at 22:44

If the OS is 32bit
Probably is
The maximum ram detected will be about 3.5Gb
Not worth doing it 3gb is ok
About the Wifi adaptor i am not the man to ask
Sry

russell664 · 10 Mar 2015 at 22:48

He currently has 64 Bit installed, as it came of the Laptop, so 4GB is the maximum the system motherboard supports.

I feel 4GB would be a good approach as he uses almost 3GB of RAM frequently, and will be a bit of a stop gap before a new PC.

Update: Had a little surf around and have found this:

Would this WIFI card work? 300Mbps UPGRADE DELL INSPIRON 1545 1546 1535 1536 1435 1735 Half Size.

Also in regards to the RAM, I have found this: 2GB Laptop RAM Memory Upgrade for Dell Inspiron 1545 DDR2-6400 PC2 800Mhz

Would either of these work with the system? Could anyone confirm?

Many thanks.

tres_kun · 10 Mar 2015 at 22:53

Worth it
Check the Chipset on the motherboard
Might be possible to pop in a cheap second hand cpu as well
That laptop is slow i can expect some dual core 1000 series to be in it or worse ^_^

varkanoid · 10 Mar 2015 at 22:57

The link below (click on the view more button) has 2gb sticks.
http://uk.crucial.com/gbr/en/compatible-upgrade-for/Dell/inspiron-1545

With regards to the Wifi you need a Mini PCI Express (PCIe) WiFi Band B/G/N card with at least twin aerial connectors. Believe you would need a DW1510 or a DW1515 for your model. (do a google search)

Its probably easier just to buy a Wireless N USB dongle.

Wireless N 300+ USB Dongles

FloppyPoppy · 10 Mar 2015 at 23:24

What is the upgrade for?

I know you said mainly wifi card and ram but if he is after the upgrade for general speed SSD would be the way forward ( if plausible )

Danny75 · 11 Mar 2015 at 01:28

varkanoid said:
Its probably easier just to buy a Wireless N USB dongle.

Wireless N 300+ USB Dongles

I agree with this. I know of several laptop owners that had to go USB anyway, because it's not rare for the onboard card/motherboard slot to go kaput.

Meaker · 11 Mar 2015 at 06:02

An intel 7260 AC would be the best wireless card to go in there.

locrieth · 11 Mar 2015 at 10:15

I second the SSD as a good all round performance increase.

cats_five · 11 Mar 2015 at 11:39

By the time he has brought an SSD, RAM and a Wifi dongle I suspect he will have spent a substantial part of the cost of a new laptop. If he doesn't upgrade how soon can he replace? Will upgrading put back replacing?

locrieth · 11 Mar 2015 at 13:06

To be honest Cats_five is probably the voice of reason here, that laptop is getting on a bit and the amount you would be spending buying parts could go a fair way to a new laptop which will out perform this one...

@simpleMr · 11 Mar 2015 at 14:56

with WiFi for laptops you just need to make sure you are putting the right slot or m.2 kinda slot as i think if you replace the WiFi for a N or AC then it can be done and not at to much cost.however again the easy root is a mini usb dongle but we don't do things the easy way so have a go just thoroughly check the specks etc.

russell664 · 11 Mar 2015 at 18:18

cats_five said:
By the time he has brought an SSD, RAM and a Wifi dongle I suspect he will have spent a substantial part of the cost of a new laptop. If he doesn't upgrade how soon can he replace? Will upgrading put back replacing?

Pretty much the above.

I have told him with all the bits a new laptop is a better option, however, he is being really stubborn about it.

So I'm just going to upgrade what he wants.
In regards to the RAM, would the stick I listed a post or two back be compatible? I would have thought it would be.

EDIT: I have found the Intel Premium 7260 IEEE 802.11n Bluetooth 4 module and is quite cheap, cheaper than a dongle too. Would this also work with the system?

Admetos · 11 Mar 2015 at 22:07

russell664 said:
He currently has 64 Bit installed, as it came of the Laptop, so 4GB is the maximum the system motherboard supports.

Crucial say it can take 8GB (2 x 4GB DDR2 PC2-5300).

An upgrade to 8GB would be well worth it and vastly extend the life of the laptop. BTW run 8GB in my laptop and is a good sweet spot for 64 bit Win 7.