update ram

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Hello,

I have bought a vostro 1500 with 1gb ram some days ago.
Now I want to upgrade it to 2gb...do i have to buy a 2gb ram or can i just buy 1gb ram and add it to my 1gb ram that is already in my notebook?
AndCould anyone give me a link to a site where i can buy the exact type of ram that i need for the vostro 1500?

Thanks in Advance

sam solid

 

It depends on the current confuguration of the RAM. If you have two modules, each with a density of 512 MB, then you can upgrade to 2 GB, by either removing both modules, replacing each with 1 GB ones, or remove one, and replace it with a 2 GB module. Both will give you either 2 GB or more of RAM.

Or, you may have 1 GB of RAM in the form of one module, in which case, adding another one, will boost this to 2 GB. The type of memory you need is 200 pin, DDR2 SODIMM memory. Have a look at the RAM Deals thread for deals, and some more information.

 

It depends on whether or not you have a 1GB stick or two 512MB sticks. If you have two 512MB sticks, you have to remove one to install more RAM. In either case, I would recommend that you buy this 2GB stick of RAM from Fry's, it's a great deal (free shipping too). You'll either end up with 2.5GB or 3GB of RAM total, and both are better than 2GB.

Edit: Yargh! I have yet to beat someone in these close posts, but I've been beaten multiple times now. Oh well, we both have good information.

 

Dont think you can, your vostro may have 1Gb RAM but thats 2 x 512Mb modules installed. Your laptop has only 2 slots to put RAM in it and they're both occupied, so if you want 2GB RAM you have to buy either 2 x 1GB ram modules and ditch the RAM you already have or buy a single 2GB module and keep one of the 512Mb modules which means you'll have 2.5GB RAM in the end

 

are u sure?
does every vostro 1500 notebook have 2* 512 ram?
And where i can buy the cheapest ram? on ebay or in this internetshop called frys that wax4213 recommended me?

 

No, not every 1500 does, but unless you changed the the RAM options when you ordered to specify one SO-DIMM, then it will come in 2x512MB.

 

sorry, i didnt understand that. could you explain it a little bit better, because my english is not my mother language, sorry again...

I ordered this ram:
311-7261 1GB, DDR2, 667MHz 2 DIMM

 

Sure, no problem. When you ordered the laptop, you had to choose specific options for most of the parts. In order to have one 1GB stick of RAM, you would have to specify that option. If you don't, it will come with two 512MB sticks of RAM.

The RAM that you show that you ordered confirms this, it says "2 DIMM" at the end. That refers to two SO-DIMM sticks. SO-DIMM just means laptop RAM. So you have two 512MB sticks, and to get at least 2GB total, you have to either order two 1GB sticks or one 2GB stick. I suggest getting one 2GB stick.

 

ahh okay thx, and the offer which you recommended me is the cheapeast one you think or do you think i could get a cheaper one over ebay for instance...?

 

You might be able to get one off of ebay, but personally, I'd go with the link that I showed you. Before that though, I would check the link that Zero gave you in case there are any more recent deals. And I don't know where you live, but as far as I know, shipping is only free to the US, so keep that in mind.

 

well were do you kive sam? i could find you a cheap site probably if i knew where you live

 

****, i just bought a "1gig ram G.Skill" from Newegg.com i thought that would bring my new comp to a total of 2 gigs but if the 1 gig is split then i'm only going to get 1.5gigs? thats F***ed up i should have done more research before buying it. I already got it in the mail is there anyway they will take it back so i can buy a 2gig stick??

 

at the moment i am living in ohio, usa

 

You'll definitely get the free shipping from Fry's then. Unless you see a better deal, then I'd go with that, if you've got the money.

 

yeah, i am thinking about this right now, 100 $ is a lot of money...do u think that there will be a big difference especally when i play games after i change the ram to 2,5 gb or will my notebook only run sometimes faster and it wont be so noticable?

 

You have the following:
(1) 512MB stick of SODIMM RAM DDR2 667 under keyboard
(1) 512MB stick of SODIMM RAM DDR2 667 bottom of laptop

The keyboard one is a bit more involved to swap, the bottom of laptop is quite simple. I'd suggest you buy:
(1) 2Gig 200pin SO-DIMM DDR2 667Mhz module $100-120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...381+1052910525+1309221136+1309121116&name=2GB

That will give you 512 + 2Gig = 2.5Gig of RAM.
They won't be matched (same) pairs so you'll lose dual channel mode, BUT that is maybe a 10% performance boost which is minor compared to the performance boost you'll get from 2.5Gig of RAM.

 

Napalm's advice agrees with my own, just a different (more expensive, not better) stick of RAM. You wouldn't see much of a performance difference between 2GB and 2.5GB, so if you want, you could save a little money and buy two 1GB sticks for less than $70 by order two of these, but it would limit future upgradability because you'd probably have to replace both sticks again. And it's a pain to upgrade both, because one of them is under the keyboard. So $70 gets you 2GB and a little more work, $100 gets you 2.5GB and minimal work. Your choice.