Question about S Series RAM (adding and replacing)

I was going to put this in the hardware forum but since I'm specifically asking about the Fujitsu S series, I'll ask it here instead. (If I'm in the wrong forum, my apologies.)

So, I'm just a few weeks away from purchasing my s6231. Eventually (or maybe at purchase) I'd like it to have 1GB RAM.

For those who purchased their notebook from P1, what kind/brand of RAM do they use?

I'm thinking of getting just a 1 stick 512 first then upgrade myself later (P1 seems a little expensive for the 1GB upgrade). Am I wrong to think that the 1GB upgrade from P1 is rather expensive?

However, is it ok to mix RAM brands in a notebook? Or must I use the exact brand that my initial 512 is?

Also, is it easy to remove RAM? example, I buy a 2DIMM 512, but later want to upgrade to 2DIMM 1GB. Is that an easy swap? I know adding RAM won't void the Fujitsu warranty but how about removing and replacing (I'm thinking no, but warranties are fickle things)?

 

From each of those sites (newegg and crucial), how would i know which type of ram to choose for the Fujitsu s6000?

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Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. [Mark 12:30]

 

Adding/removing RAM is the easiest computer upgrade. You'll remove one scren and a panel, that's it. I don't know what P1 uses right now, I'm sure it fluxuates with pricing. You can email or call and ask Ivan. I'd get one stick of 512 and do the other 512 through Crucial or pick up Corsair from NewEgg. Going to 2GB would be a litle insane, I don't think you'll need it.

Brian

www.BargainPDA.com | www.DigitalCameraReview.com | www.NotebookReview.com | www.SpotStop.com | www.TabletPCReviewSpot.com

 

I always thought mixing RAM from different brands was a bad thing. I guess not. Thanks for the answers. [ ]

 

Will the type of RAM brand I choose cause a significant change in battery life?

I emailed crucial about what RAM model# they recommend for the s6231 as it is not listed on their site. I'll post the answer when I get it.

edit: also, where do you find these RAM specs sheets?

 

P1 uses SwissBit. I suggest KingstonValueRam. I got 2GB for my N5010 (search for earlier thread to see my travails). It pulls the least current of the dimms that I could find spec sheets for ( KVR, Kingmax, SwissBit, and Micron). Kingmax pulls the most current, but is cheapest. SwissBit will cost about as much as KVR, but will pull more current. Crucial (micron) is second most power thrifty but was most expensive, it was also the OEM ram in my N5010. Crucial has a memory finder tool to help you select the right part. Use it and write down the specs, e.g. 1GB PC2700/333MHz 200 pin DDR SDRAM sodimm. Then find another manufacturer that costs less and has same specs. Fujitsu spec sheet for S6231 shows the following under the memory heading:
DDR 333 so-DIMM, 200 pin SDRAM
2 DIMM slots; upgradeable to 2 GB total memory (1 GB x 2)
http://www.computers.us.fujitsu.com/www/products_notebooks.shtml?products/notebooks/tech_specs/s6231_ts#3

Happy hunting

 

The brand will not affect battery in any material way. Noah listed the type you need, just look for that on Crucial. As for spec sheets, it takes some digging, they're not always easy to find, but most manufacturer's sites list the basics.

Brian

www.BargainPDA.com | www.DigitalCameraReview.com | www.NotebookReview.com | www.SpotStop.com | www.TabletPCReviewSpot.com

 

Thanks Noah and Brian.

 

I was interested in the spec sheets because some manufacturers claimed that their 1GB sodimms ran cooler than others. I wondered if that was true. I didn't want to add a lot of extra heat because my machine already runs hot. So I started to search for more detailed specs on power consumption. The thought being that the unit which draws least power produces least heat. They spec sheets did take digging to find and took almost as long to decipher. As it was, I couldn't find them for Kingston/Corsair System select. The power difference was about 1/2 a watt between KVR/Micron and Kingmax for 1GB sodimms. I don't know what the difference would be for other sizes, but probably less. Does 1/2 a Watt make a difference to you? My machine is usually pulling around 39 Watts. Your S6000 should pull less so the 1/2 Watt will be more substantial to you. However, as Brian said, it probably won't make much difference- minutes maybe?

Also, you if you really want to do things on the cheap, buy Kingmax. I was asking around in hardware and several people had used it with good results.

Have you considered getting only 256MB OEM and buying a 1GB stick aftermarket (1GB Kingmax < $200!), leaving the 2GB option easily open for the future? You wouldn't want to have to throw away 2x512 AND buy 2x1GB. But then again, by the time you need 2GB, it may be cheap or you may want a new machine!

 

I use Kingmax memory on my S6231. It's a more popular RAM in Asia then it is here. It is cheaper than other RAM, but I don't think that's a bad thing. I used the same brand for my dell for over a year and it has been stable.

With my Fujitsu, it's actually not quite as warm as it was with my Dell.

I honestly don't recommend spending a fortune on RAM. I would only advise to stay away from memory listed as "house/generic" brand. These chips are sometimes known for using substandard metals and such to keep the cost way down.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>
Leave the internal slot alone
Accessing the internal slot is easy on the M6000N but can be considerably harder with many laptops.<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>

So I read this on CNET, will I have a problem accessing the internal slot on a Fujitsu S or P series? The model I'm going to get comes with 512MB (2DIMM) and I'd like to be able to upgrade to 1GB myself.

Thanks.

 

I think they mean if it's under the keyboard. That's where the slot was with my P5020 but Fujitsu moved away from that with the P7000, which was very smart.

Brian

www.BargainPDA.com | www.DigitalCameraReview.com | www.NotebookReview.com | www.SpotStop.com | www.TabletPCReviewSpot.com

 

Cool thanks.

Anyone know if the s6231 is the same as the p7000 or is it under the keyboard?

Thanks again.

edit: answering my own question in a way, looking at the s6231 manual, the diagram shows that both RAM modules are located under the same panel. Is that the correct assumption (for anyone who has upgraded the S6231 or knows how)?

 

Yes, same panel on the bottom.

Brian

www.BargainPDA.com | www.DigitalCameraReview.com | www.NotebookReview.com | www.SpotStop.com | www.TabletPCReviewSpot.com