A8JP - RAM Upgrade Guidelines?

Hi, all.

I'm planning to upgrade the RAM in the A8JP to 2GB (1 stick of 1GB in each slot). I searched the Asus website and tried a Crucial scan, but neither one came up with any recommendations.

Since this is my first attempt at upgrading RAM, what specs do I need to look at (does something need to match up with the motherboard or socket set number or some other arcane piece of info)? Are certain memory providers better than others? Do I need to wait until there's something that is A8JP compatible?

The only thing I know is that doing this will probably void the Asus warranty, but I'm not too concerned about that.

Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions.

 

I'am sure this is the same as a A8JM or A8JS do a manual search on the Crucial site.

pretty much any notebook pc5300 should do. I pulled the trigger on this notebook last night and I looked up some ram on Newegg seems around $200.00 buck.

 

I just ordered 2 sticks of 1GB 667MHz Patriot RAM from Newegg. It should arrive at the same time as my a8jp. If you don't mind waiting a couple of days, I can let you know if it works.

 

Id buy just 1 personally and get the 2nd one down the road.

I mean depends on your pocket book but 1.5 gb is going to be enough

 

Adrian - that's a great offer and i appreciate it. Would definitely like to hear if it works. I can afford 2GB now, but can't afford the wrong 2GB!

The NewEgg memory offers did look good.

 

I thought about it, but then I took a look at ebay and I realized I can probably get about $80 back by selling the pre-installed RAM. When I combine that with the Newegg rebate, I'll end up with 2gb or Ram for not too much more than $100.

BTW... I just checked the tracking information for both items. I'll be getting the RAM today (Wednesday) and the Lappy either today or tomorrow. I'll let you all know as soon as I've installed and tested the RAM.

 

Just wondering if I'm the only sucker here to keep the original 1gb ram and Asus warranty. Mainly because I can't afford it and partly because my desktop has 1gb and it can do everything i need.

Is this a bad move? What do you need the another 1gb of ram? Will the Hypermemory eat all the performance if it takes the whole 256mb or is it optimized to take it if it only needs it?

 

All:
Check a search in the forums for this topic -- consensus among those here who know is that RAM upgrade would not void your Asus global warranty but you want to keep the original stick if you're replacing it for warranty service should you have to send it in..... the only issue would be if you're careless and static-fry the motherboard when you put the new one in.

HDD upgrades follow a similar recommendation re: keeping the original for warranty work. CPU upgrades do void the warranty.

To keep the RAM upgrades simple, and because you know it already works in the machine, just purchase the same frequency RAM for your replacement stick(s).

Hypermemory is dynamic, the card takes what it needs from system mem depending on load/activity, up to max 256. 768MB left in system mem should be adequate to keep the system functioning normally whatever the load, esp with the dual core cpu backing it up .

 

ClearSkies: Thank you for the info. Nice and easy to understand. One question:

How do I find out the frequency on the installed RAM? I've seen that info listed when looking to buy RAM, but I don't know what's installed on my Asus. Thanks!

 

A8js shipped with DDR2 667;Asus wouldn't change that in the -jp version; the model review here at NBR also notes the memory at DDR2 667, but in 2-512 sticks in contrast to the -js' single 1GB stick. Pick your manufacturer @ NewEgg, but stay with one having a track record. CPU-Z will confirm the system info for you, if you really want to do that.

 

Thanks for the info. I ran CPU-Z (nice little app), but am not seeing anything saying the memory is 667mhz. So I'm wondering what I'm not reading right. The closest thing is the DMI Processor FSB Speed at 668.0mhz. Then there's Rated Bus Speed at 665.0mhz.

So for me and other RAM upgrade newbies, what frequency numbers should we be looking at to determine the right RAM to buy? Thanks in advance. Here's the basic info from the thread dump:

 

From the chipset section

This means your chipset is running your current RAM at 332.5MHz or 665MHz counting for DDR


and from the DIMM #1 section

This means the memory in your DIMM #1 slot is capable of 333MHz or 667MHz counting for DDR


The "DDR" in DDR2 type memory stands for Double Data Rate. The base frequency should be 333.333333333333........ MHz. When you multiply that by two and then round to the nearest integer you get 667. However, crystals (crystals are used to generate the frequency) are not perfect and there are some variations. This is why you see numbers that are close to 333 and 667.

It doesn't look like anyone has mentioned this but make sure you get Notebook DDR2 RAM and not desktop RAM. Specifically you're looking for DDR2 667 200pin SO-DIMM.

 

Loopty - Thanks. Much appreciated. Geez. I thought building databases was complicated. I never would have figured out the Memory Frequency.

Appreciate the info.

 

No no no, I still think designing a good database is more complicated.

With RAM you just have to look it up. With database design you have to predict the future almost. I never took enough time to properly learn it.

 

So I finally got my a8jp. I immediately took of the back cover and replaced the RAM (before even turning it on). It works GREAT! 2GB baby...this laptop is now faster than both my desktops in every way imaginable (faster CPU, better GPU, more ram, etc....)

Here's the link to the RAM I bought:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820220078

ENJOY!

 

The program everest will tell you if your ram is working in dual channel.

 

Adrian - thanks for the feedback, the link and the follow-through. Greatly appreciated.

 

No problem, everything is still working fine. But since someone asked, I looked to download everest. Unfortunately, the free version does not seem to support our laptops. The new version (3.5 I think) does support our laptops but I'm not interested in purchasing it. Are there any free programs that can do the dual channel memory test?