Upgrade from 1GB to 2GB on a notebook?

[gizbug]

I hear from friends that 2 GIG is an overkill for windows xp (not sure on vista), and that for apps today, surfing the web, and gaming, will see little difference.

Anyone have any experience going from 1 to 2 on a laptop? Reasons for doing it?

 

[AmigaMan]

Your friends are right, if the applications you use on a regular basis don't require the extra memory, then it will go to waste. As a software developer, my memory needs on my laptop regularly dip into the 1GB+ range. I typically run an application server, IDE, and have several web browsers open at once which puts my memory usage anywhere from 1.5GB-2GB. But when I'm at home, surfing the net or playing games, I find that 1GB is sufficient. If the money is burning a hole in your pocket and you've already addressed getting a faster HD, then go ahead and spend it on the memory, but don't expect that it will make much of a difference.

 

[6000SUX]

I agree with AmigaMan. The money will be wasted if you don't use the extra RAM. Since it can be at your doorstep in a couple of days with an online order, I'd wait and see if you need it before buying. Some normal personal uses that could possibly use over 1GB are stitching large photos or doing other heavy photo editing in an app like Photoshop, doing video editing, etc.

Odds are that if you occasionally go over 1GB, you could possibly get by with an extra 512MB. That's even cheaper. If your laptop supports dual-channel memory, though, I would get two matched sticks to get the benefit of that.

 

[esun]

If you're near a Fry's, 1GB of PC4200 is going for $70 until Tuesday. I think $140 OTD for 2GB isn't a bad idea, even if you're not sure whether you need all of it right now.

 

[jjmIII]

I noticed in my Compaq Presario V5119US (Turion 64 Mobile with 200M graphics) that the memory is running at 330mhz??? I noticed in cpu-z that it has 2x512 of DDR333.

Shouldn't my bus be running at 200 (DDR400)??
Do you guys think it (mobo/chipset) will adjust if I switch to true DDR400 ram??

 

[jjmIII]

Originally posted by: jjmIII
I noticed in my Compaq Presario V5119US (Turion 64 Mobile with 200M graphics) that the memory is running at 330mhz??? I noticed in cpu-z that it has 2x512 of DDR333.

Shouldn't my bus be running at 200 (DDR400)??
Do you guys think it (mobo/chipset) will adjust if I switch to true DDR400 ram??

+
Anyone???

 

[PlasmaBomb]

Turion 64 processors run with a 333 bus max, so buying ddr400 ram wont do much (some ddr400 modules can run a tighter time at ddr333, but it will be ddr333 in your presario)

 

[jjmIII]

Nope......my ML-32 is on a 200bus. All Turions are 200bus.
Thats why I wonder why my ddr is running so low, BUT it is pc2700 accouding to cpu-z. I just wonder if I put pc3200 in, if the mobo will pick it up and switch the memory bus speed.

I'm picking up some reviews on Newegg (under ddr400) where posters mention new ram upped their memory bus. I'd just like a more positive answer before getting rid of 1gb of perfectly fine 2700.