Laptop/Notebook Ram

[project.r.racing]

Hi computer nerds,

I think I know the answers to my questions, but I'm not 100% sure.

I have a laptop that I use a USB modem for the internet. The laptop has a physical memory of 1G. When I am connected to the internet, the modem uses 80% of the physical memory, so I cannot run anything other than Firefox/Internet Explorere when I am connect as it maxes out the physical memory and everything runs slow. The processor is lucky to get to 50% usage when everything is running.

I have check and am able to upgrade to 2G worth of ram. I openned up the laptop this morning and have 2 slots for PC2-5300 SODIMM667Mhz DDR2 200 pin ram cards. I have one slot with the 1G card and the second slot empty. So:-

Can I just chuck another 1G card into the empty slot, making it 2G all up?

Is it physical memory I require or higher processor speed?

Can I use 2 different 1G cards, or do I require the same type/brand when running 2?

Whatever I select will be 667Mhz as I would what the fastest my laptop can handle. Thanks for reading.

Ryan

[chicaboo]

It's important to match the timings/speed of the RAM for maximum compatibility. Otherwise you can get BSODs and your lappy will crash. If you examine your existing memory module, it may have the timings printed on it. eg: 6/6/6/18 or something similar to that. If it doesn't you can run a program called CPU-Z by CPU-ID, and that will tell you the timings for your existing RAM. If you can't find a match for your RAM, it may be best to buy 2 new modules and discard the original. If you get stuck, give me a yell, and I can bring some RAM up when I see you next. Oh yeah, It's worthwhile taking a look at the voltage the RAM runs at too.

Gav.

[project.r.racing]

I thinks I have 5-5-5-12, but I will check.

So don't run a 5-5-5-12 and a 6-6-6-18 cos it'll go bang?

But I can run a Kingstom 5-5-5-12 and a Samsung 5-5-5-12 not problem?

[chicaboo]

It won't go bang, but you can get BSODs all the time. If you can match the timings and volts it shouldn't matter what brand it is. The only other trick is that you need to match the timings to the speed. Is 5-5-5-12 rated at 667mhz or 400mhz? if the timings match at the same speeds, you're laughing. If you want more examples, I can jump on my lappy and do some screen prints from CPU-Z to illustrate what I mean.

Gav.

[project.r.racing]

Looked the the module, it has the parts numbers all over it, but the one that is important is:-

1GB 2Rx8 PC2-5300S-555-12-EO

So yes to 5-5-5-12?

And it is 667MHz, as I just checked the service manual for my laptop.

edit//
Just checked my resourses:-

Connected to net, but idle = 80% ram used, 4% CPU used.
Connected to net + adobe reader open = 88% ram used, 7% CPU used.
Connected to net + surfing the net + adobe reader open = 94% ram used, 14% CPU used.

Heaven forbid with windiws tries to download an update while I'm actually doing something on the laptop!!!

[chicaboo]

Yeah, the 5300 relates to it being 667mhz RAM. But it's likely that its 5-5-5-12 at 400mhz, not 667mhz. My RAM is 6-6-6-15 at 400mhz, but a gay 9-9-9-24 at 667mhz! However, my RAM is rated to 667mz, it actually runs at 400mhz, which is fine...

Install this program, and go to the Memory tab to see your current RAM speed/timings, and then go to the SPD tab to see your JDEC timings/speed/volts. you need to compare the JDEC timings to the RAM you are buying, to ensure that it's timings are the same at 400mhz and 667mhz in particular. As these are the timings/speeds your lappy is most likely to use.

[project.r.racing]

Program says max bandwidth is 333MHz = 5-5-5-15 @ 1.80V. 226MHz = 4-4-4-12 @1.80V.

Why is the max so low?

[chicaboo]

Perhaps your FSB is 667mhz, in which case you would use 333mhz RAM. As with my desktop PC, it uses 1333mhz FSB and 667mhz RAM by default. And my lappy has 800FSB and 400mhz RAM speed. This is how DDR2 memory works.

The thing I am most interested in with your RAM is the 1.8V rating, as that's what you have to be conscious of when buying RAM.

What CPU does your lappy have?
Gav.

[project.r.racing]

Intel Celeron 550 @ 2.0GHz.

[chicaboo]

OK, you have 533FSB, and your RAM will most likely run at DDR2 266mhz, or maybe 333mhz with a ratio multiplier. You can run faster RAM in your laptop, as memory speed downscales just fine, but you are wasting $$ by getting anything faster than what you need. I recommend getting 2 new cheap memory modules rather than trying to match what you have. Just to be on the safe side. I'll have a look and see what I can find and let you know.

Gav.

[project.r.racing]

Sounds about right. In the memory section of CPU-Z. It says:

266MHz Frequency
1:2 FSB : DRAM
4-4-4-12 Clocks

[project.r.racing]

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Transcend-JM6...item4152fa57c6

cheap enough?

[chicaboo]

Yeah, that's exactly what I expected. You only need DDR2 266mhz PC2100 RAM, but that costs more than PC5300/5400 667mhz RAM! Umart at Maroochydore have a few options to suit you.

I don't see why the stuff on eBay wouldn't work, and the price is good enough.

Gav.

[Clean_Cookie]

personally ive never had issues with random ram in computers with different timing! although it has caused issues for people in the past. just my $0.02. good to know Gav is computer savvy yay.

[chicaboo]

Phantom crashes/BSODs from unmatched RAM would have to be the single biggest nuisance in computing. When the issue can be remedied so easily, why wouldn't you do so? I have a genuine interest in PCs, so it's always nice to play doctor on them when I can.

[phildough]

I work in a PC store as a manager and on a whole I dont recommend mixing different brands and speeds of memory as it does cause a lot of bsod's.

The number of PC's we get in that have BSOD's and it is caused by mixed ram is quite high.

I also have lots of spare parts for PC's if anyone needs them.

[project.r.racing]

Got any spare modules as described above?

[70NYD]

Originally Posted by tc3_racer_001

personally ive never had issues with random ram in computers with different timing! although it has caused issues for people in the past. just my $0.02. good to know Gav is computer savvy yay.

gav knows his sh!t when it comes to comps man
dont ever use unmatched ram, even if it is same ones from the same manufacturer as tolerances can make them vary enough to give gremlins. for the same channel series alwasy use only matched ram (ie the clocks have been matched in the factorie prior to shipment) to avoid problems

[phildough]

Originally Posted by project.r.racing

Got any spare modules as described above?

More than likely yes.
I have just moved house and all my PC parts are all boxed up.
I will have a look and see if I can find anything.
I found two similar sticks at work for Marc so I will look there today for you.

I personally only recommend matched pair ram.

[mikey_something]

chicaboo definately sounds like he knows his **** so i have a question.
you've been saying the whole time not to mix RAM etc. but i've heard that if u do, as long as you run the faster or higher spec one in the primary slot you should avoid most problems?

i can't remember where i heard/read this but it fixed alot of problems in my last computer by swapping the faster RAM to the firs slot.