Sony Vaio 420 upgrade Q...

JayDubya · Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2004 6:45 pm Post subject:

Yeah, if you are spending that much, $9 is not much for a guaranteed dual channel.
Does that sony viao support dual channel?
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Hojo · TweakNOOB Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 27

JayDubya · Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 12:05 am Post subject:

Well, does anyone know what chipset the viao 420 uses? I know many dells use the 865pe that support dual channel. Last i knew, sony was teh same. Any verification/?
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2old2care · Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 12:25 am Post subject:

Alot of the Sony's run Asus mobos with only slight changes...BIOS different of course...But you can't really tell from the Sony sight or from their specs. I'm Guessing this is prolly a 865 chipset mobo, but would have to look in it to be sure.
The twin 2700's is also a good sign that it is prolly dual channel.
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ToggleHead · TWEAKGURU Joined: 03 Mar 2004 Posts: 4360 Location: Jersey

cpu-z will tell you the chipset
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Hojo · TweakNOOB Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 27

ok - dl'd cpuz and ran it... here's the info I think we're looking for.

from the Mainboard tab:
Mobo Manu: ASUS Tek Computer Inc
Model: P4SD-VX
Chipset: Intel i865P/PE/G/i848P
Southbridge: intel 82801EB (ICH5)
Sensor: Winbond 80

Bios: American Megatrends Inc
Version: 2001
Date: 08/08/2003

from the Memory Tab:
Size: 512MBytes
Channels #: Dual
Performance Mode: DIsabled

Timings:
Freq: 159.6MHz
FSB:DRAM: 5:4
Cas# Latency: 2.5 Clocks
RAS# to CAS# Delay: 3 clocks
RAS precharge: 3 clocks
cycle time: 7 clocks

does this help?

ToggleHead · TWEAKGURU Joined: 03 Mar 2004 Posts: 4360 Location: Jersey

this apears to be a dual channel board.........for overall system performance.....go with the new RAM that haas been suggested.......2 sticks....dual channel with REALLY help......

for gaming......i would go vid card first.......

my 2/100
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JayDubya · Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 10:09 am Post subject:

You may be ok for ram right now. I'm not sure how well the sony's like new memory but i know that compaq is EXTREMELY picky and dell can be too.

TH is right though, The first upgrade should be the video card if you want good gaming experience.
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2old2care · Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 11:24 am Post subject:

That's what I was guessing...about right for Sony...
I understand the cost savings of the 9200 video, but I never for the life of me can figure out WHY they (and others) would use 2700 memory. What were the cost savings 5-10 bucks?
But for your gaming purposes...Video then memory.
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Hojo · TweakNOOB Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 27

ToggleHead · TWEAKGURU Joined: 03 Mar 2004 Posts: 4360 Location: Jersey

LOL....i whs i could haelp you out and confirm that desire......but no........i wouldnt trust it....uless you are financially ready to buy the nicer cards.......and if they dont work.....drop another 60-80 USD on a PSU
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meobius · Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2004 7:13 am Post subject:

why just the pro, i'ld go for the 9600xt. the 9550 is actually very powerhungry. 9600non pro isn't going to give much difference.

Hojo · TweakNOOB Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 27

the 9600xt is better than a 9600pro huh? didn't know this

I asked this earlier but it got lost in the thread (I think I asked earlier)... but what is the real world application difference b/t a 128 & 256 video card? what type of memory does that number represent? (is it like ram memory, pc2700, 3200 etc? or just a cache amount?)

also, has anyone had any luck upgrading a PSU in a sony vaio? I've done searches and found threads on it but none seem to say if they have been able to upgrade the PSU while keeping the original tower? (most seem to have opted for a new tower)

[KoG]^weaZel · Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2004 11:58 am Post subject:

as far as I know all the people looking to upgrade their powersupplies have all gone with a new case.

The 128 and 256 numbers reflect the AMOUNT of memory. This is listed in megs. PC2700 and 3200 is talking about the "speed" of the memory.
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JayDubya · Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2004 12:26 pm Post subject:

^^Ineed

meobius · Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2004 6:56 pm Post subject:

indeed sony uses a proprietary (what a surprise) powersuppy and it is impossible to find a bigger one. Best bet is to try and find a good case and powersupply that would fit it (hopefully the pin arrangement on that powersupply isn't proprietary)
in terms of difference a 128 or a 256 meg card makes... not that much. At least none that i've seen. Maybe when textures and what not get more complex

JayDubya · Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2004 7:18 pm Post subject:

^^Agreed. For the 9600 series, the difference b/n 128mb and 256mb is not worth a big hassel. Whatever fits your budget will be fine.

If you wanted a 9800pro, then you would almost definately need a new psu and possibly a case.
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ToggleHead · TWEAKGURU Joined: 03 Mar 2004 Posts: 4360 Location: Jersey

i split hoses next question to here:
http://www.tweaknews.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3714

i felt it needed a new thread
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Hojo · TweakNOOB Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 27

oops - sorry - figured it was a continuation of this topic so I went with the old rule of posting my great great great granddaddy taught me - it is better to post in an existing thread than start a new one

of course, he's dead now, so what the hell does he know

ToggleHead · TWEAKGURU Joined: 03 Mar 2004 Posts: 4360 Location: Jersey

its all good....i figured building a whole new system would require a different thread....different / more attention that way
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jacobhiggins · TweakNOOB Joined: 08 Dec 2004 Posts: 5

I also have a Sony RS420 and I'm going to buy the Thermaltake Xaser 3 case, what I was wondering was , will I have any problems tranferring the Motherboard to the new case? I believe I have a Asus motherboard, any help would be appreciative?

2old2care · Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2004 4:28 pm Post subject:

I believe you have an Asus mobo also. A micro atx version...

The answer to ppl's questions about if my mobo will fit is here:

http://www.formfactors.org/developer%5Cspecs%5Catx2_2.pdf <==Great Linkage

All ATX and mATX cases will meet this standard.

So I guess I'm saying "only you can figure out for sure, if your board will fit."
But I think it will. I think it is a special made version of P4P800-VM, 865 chipset.
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JayDubya · Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2004 6:11 pm Post subject:

Don't quote me on this, but that PSU from sony might be proprietary. If you get a new PSU, you might need a new mobo too. This will most definately require a reformat . . . you'll probably need a windows xp cd too - pro if you can get it.
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Hojo · TweakNOOB Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 27

update time.

it's been awhile but i finally took everyones advice I got here and upgraded my sony.

Bought the 9600XT ($186 at newegg) and the dual paired 1G (512 each stick) of RAM (excalibur I believe - paid $89 for it, was listed at $165 or so when I was asking Qs about it)...

and my computer runs like a well oiled machine - WoW no longer has massive lag times in the high pop areas.

thanks to all who helped me with my questions - I really enjoyed it

ToggleHead · TWEAKGURU Joined: 03 Mar 2004 Posts: 4360 Location: Jersey

glad to hear you got it all sorted.....happy to help....=D
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