2G --> 3G of RAM upgrade vs. 5400 RPM --> 7200 rpm HD upgrade?

Price is same, can only go for one. Which would you recommend for a gaming laptop?

Sorry if this is duplicate, looking for an answer now to change an order at the very last minute. Thank you!

 

well it depends on what your gonna do with it.
RAM:2GB will be faster as it is dual-channel good for gaming(moderatly)
HDD: will access faster off the HDD What are the sizes of both HDDs?

 

i think 120 GB for the 7200rpm, and 160gb for the 5400 rpm.

So 2G of RAM is actually faster? than 3G b/c of dual channel?

 

yes but still 3GB is more RAM total. I would personally get the faster HDD with Dual-Channel 2GB RAM.
What system is it?What are the other specs?

 

Dual channel doesn't do much for performance, and only in some circumstances, will it really have any real affect. I would advise to go with the RAM upgrade, particularly, if you have Windows Vista as the OS. More RAM will also reduce hard disk activity.

 

It's an ASUS G1. I'm actually looking up info for my boyfriend, b/c I already have a laptop (Asus A8js.. i'm definitely an asus fan). Thank you for the help, though- I think he's going with your recommendation.!

 

Yee if its Vista go with the RAM. but the speed but then again the exact RAM sticks need to come in to acount.

 

Hmm, it is Vista. (unfortunately, imo.)

 

again what are the exact sticks & where are you buying?

 

it doesn't matter if you have odd ram modules, eg. 1 x 1 Gb and 1 x 512Mb the speeds will be the same with DDR2.
As far, which one you should get, go for the ram, cos buying a faster HDD later on is a lot cheaper than buying more RAM. Go with the RAM, go with the RAM, buy a fater HDD later.

 

What OS, what GPU? Would help to answer. HDD have much less effect on gaming than having the correct amount of RAM. But not many or no games require more than 2GB's RAM. I would get HDD as RAM is both easier and cheaper to upgrade on your own.

 

it doesn't really say. It only says 2GB DDR 2 667 (1GBX2) or 2+1 GB DDR 2 667.

 

Dual-channel is faster but hardly if the speeds of the actual DDR2 are high then get the RAM as a second reason.

 

Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 2.2 GHz 4MB 800 FSB. Windows VISTA.

Hmm.. hard decision and mixed responses.!

 

ditto on this RAM is more expensive to buy preinstalled.

 

I am getting a free upgrade of my ram from 2GB to 3GB from Dell because of delays, so I was also wondering whether its worth it to get it upgraded. Because of the dual channel only, I was worried that it might not be as fast anymore, if I got the 3GB.

This thread has put my worries at ease and I am now going to go ahead with it

 

If your getting a FREE upgrade on preinstalled RAM get it.
But it looks like he should get the HDD upgrade.

 

Thanks everyone! This was a really great, quickfire discussion. I'll leave the actual decision up to him, seems like he can't really go wrong either way.

 

I would go for the bigger HDD (even if its slower) and get the ram upgrade, if I were you. Extra space is always nice, specially after a year when you're really running tight. And the ram will play nice with Vista too.

 

What Graphics Processing Unit, it would tell us important things. IGP will use system RAM might want 3GB. Low end GPU won't play demanding games get HDD will help in other tasks. High end GPU demanding gaming more RAM might help.

 

The graphics card is: GeForce G8600M GT 256MB up to 1G/DX10, and so I think it does borrow RAM if need be. I'm glad I'm not the one who actually has to make the decision..!

 

Yea RAM is a good choice, and yes good thing boyfriend has to make the final decision.

But I like getting both!

 

Get the ram. That gfx card combined with Vista, the ram will really help. Plus more space on the 5400rpm, it's really a no brainer

Faster HDD also means lower battery life.

 

Well, in case anyone is wondering, he went with the faster hard drive. I'm not sure what I would have done.. perhaps the RAM. As for the storage issues, the laptop comes with a free 160gb external hard drive, and he's never been concerned over hard drive size, anyways- whereas i always scramble for the most HD size i can, being a packrat on the computer, at least.