Maximum memory Dell Insipron 1720

4G max.

Max = 4gigs for the 1720.

I believe it's two slots with 2gigs in each.

Thank you for your fast response. Any chance to appear a new bios revision that allows more ram to be installed? (the chipset on this laptop is intel P965).

No, that isn't going to happen - the 1720 is end of life and has been for some time.  No further BIOS updates will be released.

Kingston says it can go to 8 GB.  I have a 1720 running Windows 7 x64 RC and I wanted to upgrade to 8 GB as well.  I haven't ordered the 8 GB yet and I might not since Dell doesn't confirm that it can go to 8 GB.

http://www.ec.kingston.com/ecom/configurator_new/modelsinfo.asp?id=1&SysID=38443&mfr=Dell&model=Inspiron+1720&search_type=&root=us&LinkBack=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kingston.com&Sys=38443-Dell-Inspiron+1720&distributor=0&submit1=Search

The Inspiron 1720 can take up a maximum of 6GB. Not 4. All those who replied saying 4GB is the max don't really own this machine or have never tested it. No offence but I hate it when people assume things that aren't even true.

The 1720 uses a GM965 chipset. The maximum support is 6GB with BIOS A09. Tried and tested on my own machine. The X9000 processor works on it as well with highest temperature of 60*C.

I did some testing in Notebookreview as well. This is for proof:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=305464

8GB will not work for this machine. Not because of a chipset limitation but a BIOS limitation. It will not boot with 8GB and will freeze at the BIOS screen.

I've double checked this, using both 6 and 8GB. Even though Dell officially stated in it's initial release that it supports 4GB, the actual maximum ram is 6GB at this point in time (Bios A09).

If you have matched pairs of 4GB modules (for 8GB) the initial "Ram Discovery" boot get's almost all the way through before locking up. This is almost certainly a bios limitation and not a physical limitation of the system.

Additional note... I've noticed, after using this that unless an application needs the extra ram (as in running 20+ browser tabs the computer seems to be slower with 6GB of ram (as opposed to 4GB of matched ram).. I'm willing to bet this has something to do with the memory controller.

Until Dell (or someone) enables using matched 4GB Dimms (for a total of 8GB) I'd recommend buying a pair of very fast 2GB dimms (for a total of 4GB). I'm stuck with 6 for a while, and not super happy about it.

Dell guys! Get someone to update the bios! After all the mess ups with customer support and you guys breaking my laptop you have a potentially VERY unhappy person on your hands. Show us some love and update that bios!!!!!

how about hacking the Dell BIOS? If you're desperate? My machine's well past warranty, I wouldn't care.

http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/7517-How-to-Mod-Dell-BIOS-Guide ?

Hi,

is there anybody who hacked the bios till yet? I need the RAM for simulation programs. So you can see, that this is be very important for me...

Help me, please....

You are free to try - however, the BIOS isn't solely responsible and you're very likely to find it's the mainboard that is the limit.

Oh, that are bad news. I thought I could use 8gb RAM, if I update the BIOS. So a new mainboard isn't really an acceptable option...and for a new laptop, I don't have enough money...:(

Shit...

If you really need that much RAM, the application is probably better run on a desktop anyway.

While the chipset IS 8gb capable, so-far no one has modified the bios. Here's another thread

http://www.bios-mods.com/forum/Thread-dell-inspiron-1720-memory-limit-bug?pid=25059#pid25059

Also of *note* I remember reading somewhere that the chipset within this motherboard experiences significant performance decline if you try to use more than 6GB.... I did notice a decline in performance when I went from 4GB to 6GB, until I started making use of all the ram.