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    RAM Upgrade. Two questions.

    Discussion in 'Acer' started by Mooly, Dec 4, 2008.

  1. Mooly

    Mooly Notebook Evangelist

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    I have an Aspire 9301awsmi with 1GB Ram running Vista HP. Been wondering whether it's worthwhile upping the RAM to 2gb.
    1. Have used "Crucial" to see what they recommend. Would an upgrade work straight off and be recognised correctly or are any BIOS changes needed. Never entered the BIOS yet !!!

    2. What sort of gains could I reasonably expect. The biggest slowdown I have is with FSecure and certain webpages ( Forums etc ) where the system can freeze now and then. Would more RAM help here. Resource monitor shows FSecure as the culprit hogging the HDD. Start up from cold for the desktop to fully appear is around 3+ minutes with a further 3 or 4 minutes of pretty hard HDD thrashing when things are a bit unresponsive.

    Thanks
     
  2. Alex

    Alex Super Moderator

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    A good idea
    I use over 1.1GB of ram just with vista running (looking in Task Manager/performance)

    Alex
     
  3. Mooly

    Mooly Notebook Evangelist

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    " A good idea ". I hope so too !! My only concern is whether it will just work straight off or does anything need to be configured in the BIOS for example.
     
  4. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

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    1gb on Vista HP is excruciatingly slow.

    2gb should be the minimum for home premium

    3gb is the sweet spot

    4gb is even sweeter

    RAM upgrades is always a good idea, you wont regret it either way.
     
  5. ATG

    ATG 2x4 Super Moderator

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    Yes, as @flipfire said it's always good to upgrade the RAM. Keep in mind BIOS update might be needed. And you're probably just fine upgrading to 2GB(meaning your laptop support that), however, it you want to add more you're better off calling ACER for 4GB support.
     
  6. Mooly

    Mooly Notebook Evangelist

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    Thanks guys. Will probably go with the 2gb from Crucial.
     
  7. Mooly

    Mooly Notebook Evangelist

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    Just ran the Crucial memory scan.
    According to that I have 0 gb ( zero ) RAM fitted and that according to the scan my system has already got the maximum amount of RAM fitted.
     
  8. Alex

    Alex Super Moderator

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    Your good for up to 2gb
    http://kahlon.com/rn629985_Acer_Aspire_9300_Series_9301.html

    Is one link regarding 2gb, and have read about it on a few other sites

    Alex
     
  9. Mooly

    Mooly Notebook Evangelist

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    Thanks Alex,
    Am going to go for this from Crucial,
    Not allowed to post url's, not made enough posts !
    I contacted them yesterday, and they said the online scanner sometimes gives false info.
    A lot of sites say that the Aspire can be upgraded to 4 gb max, others say 2 gb. It is confusing. Am going to go for the 2 * 1 gb modules anyway, I don't really think 2 gb to 4 gb would be worthwhile, but I hope 1 to 2 gb is.
    Thanks
    Karl
     
  10. Alex

    Alex Super Moderator

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  11. Mooly

    Mooly Notebook Evangelist

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    Thats the one. From what I understand it's better to fit two matched 1 gb modules rather than 1, 2gb one.
     
  12. Mooly

    Mooly Notebook Evangelist

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    Modules came yesterday, fitted them today. 2 minutes of a job. Things definitely seem quicker, start up and particularly shut down. Not used to seeing the "RAM" gauge showing around 38%, used to be in the 80's and 90's. Having several applications open is much quicker too.
    Should have done this months ago.
     
  13. TeeJay 44

    TeeJay 44 Notebook Deity

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    Glad you got all sorted Mooly

    Old saying: "you can never have too much RAM"

    Cheers,
    Theo
     
  14. Mooly

    Mooly Notebook Evangelist

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    Thanks guys, can't believe the difference in performance.

    Karl