Suggestions on a RAM upgrade on my Latitude D520

I have a latitude D 520;it has oneDDR 2 533Mhz 512MB RAM unit on one of the slots and I intend to insert 1 more.
What will be the best upgrade for the system performance-should I insert 1 more 512 533Mhz or I can put a 1GB one running on 667?I've heard that it is better for the Doal Channel Memory the 2 slots to be with the same size.how is it fact?Should I look for the same RAM(the same manyfaccturer0 or is it OK to put any DDR ram?

 

Yiu can run your RAM in dual channel, but the performance increase is so small thats its pointless. By small I mean, its only a few percent, and its hardly worth it. Thats in memory intensive applications, aswell. The amount is more of a concern. You can upgrade to 1 GB in total, which is enough for most users, but if you want, then you can also go to 1.5 GB.

Have a look under the "Perfromance" tab in Task Manager, whre it will show you the amount of RAM currently being used. If more than the physical amount of RAM is being used, then an upgrade is needed. Depending on how much RAM the notebook is using, you should be able to decide how much more RAM you require.

 

thanks.
if i inserted a 667 mhz unit will the performance be better(so-in this case there will be one so dimm 512 mb 533 + one 512 mb 667mhz), or it will be the same as if i inserted a 533 mhz one,knowing that the one I already have is a 533mhz?

 

If you added a 667 MHz module, then it will automatically clock to the frequency of the other module, so both would run at 533 MHz. It makes no difference to performance, however, as the 667 MHz have a high latency value, which offsets their higher frequency.

 

and do you think that 1 Gb dual channel DDR2 533Mhz +core Duo 2030 1.6 Ghz;2 mb L2 cache+Intel integrateg GM950 graphics can run the AERO interface?I don't do anything hard otherwise(no games,no 3D programmes);i just want to make sure that i'll have enough RAM when I install the VISTA.
regards

 

Yes, it should be enough to run Windows Vista with Aero. If I could make a suggestion, I would choose 1.5 GB, as it will come in handy over the long run. If you upgrade to two modules of 512 MB density, then you limit yourself when upgrading further, because you will have to remove one modeul in order to upgrade. Its simpler to get 1.5 GB in total now, and live with that. It will save you the need to upgrade, if the need ever arrises.

 

thanks,i think that i'll go for the 1,5 GB total. Is any brand DDR2 533 Mhz good for my system or i should look for something specific?

 

I would recommend brands such as Crucial, Kingston, Corsair and G. Skill. There are other reputable brands out on the market, but I would suggest to go with the cheapest of the reputable brands. The specification for one particular frequency is the same across the board for manufactuers.

 

so that's the only thing that i should look for-the same frequency-533MHZ.If the modul is a 533 MHZ one it shoul be good for my model..Is there a possibility that a 533 mhz model won't be compatibal for my model?

 

You can install either 533 MHz or 667 MHz, but if you install the latter, then it will automatically clock itself to 533 MHz, to match the other module. Generally, there is little to no price difference between the 533 MHz and 667 Mhz, so you have a bit more freedom on the brand you purchase.

Any RAM should work with the system, but it has been known that some RAM modules, haven't worked at all, or have caused problems. Its something that is independant of the manufacturer. When you decide to purchase a new module, its normally best to go with a shop that will take the RAM back if it doesn't work with the system. Having said that, RAM incompatibilities rarely happen and its not common to see from reputable brands.