Question about Upgrading Laptop RAM

[AamirQ]

Hi all,

I haven't been up to speed on PC hardware in a while, and I'm not particularly familiar with laptop hardware, so please bear with me.

I just bought a Gateway laptop with a Celeron M 360 CPU (1.40 Ghz, 400 Mhz FSB). I plan on using it for basic activities (web surfing, word processing, etc.) so I didn't need a powerhouse.

The computer came with a 256 MB DDR2 RAM module (200-pin SODIMM). I went to crucial.com and ran their system scanner tool. It determined that the RAM module is of the DDR2 PC2-5100 variety.

I am interested in replacing the 256 MB module with a pair of 512 MB modules. Since I don't plan to use the original RAM in the computer, should I still use DDR2 RAM? Will my laptop take advantage of its faster speed? If not, will I be able to use DDR PC2700 SODIMMs instead? Best Buy has a special on PNY 512 MB PC2700 SODIMM modules this week for $39.99 each, so I'd rather buy a couple of modules locally instead of buying them online. Otherwise, I could always order DDR2 SODIMMs from newegg.com or crucial.com.

I haven't really paid much attention to hardware since I upgraded my desktop a few years ago (it uses PC133 SDRAM DIMMS), so I'm out of the loop as far as different types of RAM are concerned. Thanks in advance for your feedback.

-AQ

 

[phisrow]

You'll need DDR2, it's physically and electrically distinct from any flavour of standard DDR.

 

[ShellGuy]

Yes yes ddr2 won't fit without a hammer in a ddr slot and the other way round as well.. Just pay the price for DDR2. I would go with newegg as not many b&m stores have DDR2 yet.



Will G.

 

[Ionizer86]

Consider yourself in luck. DDR2 ram is actually cheaper than DDR. Don't feel bad, just buy a 1GB stick for <$70!

 

[hmsrolst]

Originally posted by: Ionizer86
Consider yourself in luck. DDR2 ram is actually cheaper than DDR. Don't feel bad, just buy a 1GB stick for <$70!

Yes, no need to replace the 256MB stick. Just add 1GB and you'll be all set. BTW, PC2-5100 is unfamiliar to me. You might want to check to make sure that's the right speed.

 

[AamirQ]

Hmmm interesting, I was under the impression that DDR and DDR2 SODIMMS were of the 200-pin variety and would therefore fit in the same slots. But I haven't actually *seen* actual specimens of either type of RAM, so I guess I was way off. I was aware of the voltage difference (1.8v vs. 2.5v) so I guess it makes sense that DDR and DDR2 are incompatible.

Any suggestions on which brand I should go with? (Corsair, Kingston, Crucial, etc.)

Is there a free utility I that can download and install to determine more specifics about the RAM and other hardware specs on my laptop? I believe I've used SiSoft Sandra a few years back... would that work, or is there a better app that'll reveal such information?

-AQ