The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    3 or 4 gigs of ram

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by sechkie, Aug 15, 2008.

  1. sechkie

    sechkie Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    18
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I am currently undecided between the 32 bit and 64 bit vista OS.

    I am looking at the DV5T
    and the difference between the 3 gigs and 4 gigs of ram is $95.

    Should I get the 3 gig with the 32 bit Vista os?
    The 3 gig with the 64 bit os?
    or spend the extra $95 and get the 4 gig with the 64 bit os.

    I am primarily going to be using this notebook for medium gaming (starcraft 2, counterstrike) and everyday tasks (music, movies, schoolwork)

    Thanks for your help
     
    sechkie, Aug 15, 2008
    #1
  2. Andy

    Andy Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    2,133
    Messages:
    6,399
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    206
    Get the least amount of ram possible (1 or 2gig), but get a pre-installed 64-bit OS, and then upgrade the RAM yourself. 4GB DDR2-667/800 is available at good prices and much cheaper than HP's upgrade options.
     
    Andy, Aug 15, 2008
    #2
  3. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    7,857
    Messages:
    16,212
    Likes Received:
    58
    Trophy Points:
    466
    NewEgg has 4GB of RAM for $80 and under. HP is charging a lot of money...
     
    Greg, Aug 15, 2008
    #3
  4. 660hpv12

    660hpv12 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    63
    Messages:
    1,031
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    But to be honest I dont see how you are going to use 4gb of ram unless you do a lot of photoshop or something similar. I play quite a bit of games myself and I have never used more than 1.5gb ever. if you insist on 4gbs, do go for the 64bit OS and buy the ram yourself
     
    660hpv12, Aug 15, 2008
    #4
  5. sechkie

    sechkie Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    18
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    hmmmmm thanks for the info.
    Is installing ram on a laptop similar to a desktop?
    Cause I have never opened a laptop and I feel disenclined to mess up my new laptop =[

    So it seems that the 3 gigs of ram is plenty sufficient to run the 64 bit os for medium gaming (starcraft 2, counterstrike) and everyday tasks (music, movies, schoolwork)
     
    sechkie, Aug 15, 2008
    #5
  6. Andy

    Andy Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    2,133
    Messages:
    6,399
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    206
    Check out the Product Support for that notebook > User manuals > Memory Modules in Vista/whatever, and it'll show you the procedure.
    3gig is enough.
     
    Andy, Aug 15, 2008
    #6
  7. Harper2.0

    Harper2.0 Back from the dead?

    Reputations:
    2,078
    Messages:
    3,108
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    It's really simple. You just gotta remove 2 screws, take off the cover, and replace the ram.
     
    Harper2.0, Aug 15, 2008
    #7
  8. sechkie

    sechkie Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    18
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    but then again changing the ram would negate the warranty correct?
     
    sechkie, Aug 15, 2008
    #8
  9. powerpack

    powerpack Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    7,101
    Messages:
    5,757
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    No only on the RAM you installed which will be covered by RAM retailer.
     
    powerpack, Aug 15, 2008
    #9