Upgrading laptop memory

[the182guy]

Hi all,

My girlfriends laptop is running like a dog with just 512MB memory with Windows Vista. I thought that the cheapest and easiest way to improve performance would be to upgrade the memory to 1 or 2 gb.

I am just a bit unsure what I can put in it. The spec says DDR II SDRAM.

I took a pic of the currently installed module:


Here is the basic spec:

    * Processor - Intel Celeron M 440 / 1.86 GHz
    * RAM - 512 MB (installed) / 2 GB (max) - DDR II SDRAM
    * Hard Drive - 80 GB
    * Operating System - Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic
    * Cache Memory - 1 MB - L2 Cache
    * Graphics Controller - Intel GMA 950

Anybody got any recommendations for improving the performance fairly cheaply?

I have found this 2gb laptop memory module on eBuyer, will this work in the machine? Link: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/130435

Is it worth getting a more expensive module? The other componants are not high spec so I don't think it would benefit any more from a high end memory module, would it?

Thanks all, any help is much appreciated!

[Siddharth Rout]

Just curious

1.86 GHz

What is it for your GF's laptop?

[the182guy]

Just curious



What is it for your GF's laptop?

Yes I know it's not a monster. It's only for uni work, email, msn, browsing etc. MS Office is about the biggest app that needs to run on it.

[GaryMazzone]

My guess without looking at the manufactures specs is that you will need to replace both SIMM chips with a 1Gig SDRAM. From the photo looks like 2 slots. As a seems like an older machine I would not think it would take a 2 gig simm

[the182guy]

My guess without looking at the manufactures specs is that you will need to replace both SIMM chips with a 1Gig SDRAM. From the photo looks like 2 slots. As a seems like an older machine I would not think it would take a 2 gig simm

Thanks Gary,

There is only one memory module slot. The spec says it will take up to 2GB, and the machine is about 16 months old.

[GaryMazzone]

The picture looks like two handles to lock in the simms

[TheBigB]

Well... A suggestion is to run Windows XP.
Vista on a Celeron and 512MB is torture for a notebook.

Anyway, if you really want to keep Vista on it you could get the memory module, yes. But if it will recognize the memory is a completely different matter.
You never know on forehand so just buy it, if it doesn't work send it back...

Is this by the way a single core 1,86?

[techgnome]

you can either replace the module with a single 2G PC2-4200 memory module, or get two 1G modules...there are infact two sets of clips there, so you can install up to two modules... as long as the modules you get are PC2-4200 modules, you should be OK... If you go with the one you linked to, do so at your own risk. Might want to double check the specs manual for the laptop, it should have more complete info on the type of memory modules the motherboard will support. There shouldn't be any difference in the performance between two modules vs one.... but the cost of two 1G modules may or may not equal the price of a a single 2G module.

-tg

[the182guy]

Thanks for the input all.

Well... A suggestion is to run Windows XP.
Vista on a Celeron and 512MB is torture for a notebook.

You're right with that. But, the Mrs wanted Vista so she got it lol!

Is this by the way a single core 1,86?

Yes I think it is, I don't think they make dual core celerons.

you can either replace the module with a single 2G PC2-4200 memory module, or get two 1G modules...there are infact two sets of clips there, so you can install up to two modules... as long as the modules you get are PC2-4200 modules, you should be OK... If you go with the one you linked to, do so at your own risk. Might want to double check the specs manual for the laptop, it should have more complete info on the type of memory modules the motherboard will support. There shouldn't be any difference in the performance between two modules vs one.... but the cost of two 1G modules may or may not equal the price of a a single 2G module.

Thanks for the advice. I now see that the one I linked to is PC5300 so not a match. I've found thise 1GB Kingston module PC2-4200 on ebuyer...
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/83934

I'll order two of those bad boys.

When I looked, I couldn't see where the second stick would go. Now that I looked very hard I think I can see where it goes, not inline with the other one but futher down.

Thanks all!

PS: anybody want to buy a stick of 512MB Korean RAM??

[techgnome]

They should be stacked, and slightly off set from each other (it'll look like steps after they are installed.)

-tg

[stanav]

You can simply go to some website that sells memory and use their memory configurator to find out whay type of memory and how much your girlfriend's laptop supports. You don't have to buy from them if you don't want to.
Here is one:
http://www.crucial.com/

[the182guy]

stanav,

Thanks for the link, that's a very useful site! I will be using that in future, I've already ordered 2 x kingston 1GB PC2-4200. Nevemind, hopefully the kingston brand will outperform the 5300 unbranded/cheaper brand.