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    3GB or 4GB or RAM?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by runee1000, Feb 23, 2009.

  1. runee1000

    runee1000 Notebook Consultant

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    Hi: I am about to buy a Vaio Z and have one question, should I order

    3 GB DDR3-SDRAM (DDR3-1066, 2GBx1 + 1GBx1
    OR
    4 GB DDR3-SDRAM (DDR3-1066, 2GBx2) (+$100)

    I am ordering Windows Vista Business 32bit, so the laptop will not be able to address the full 4GB of RAM if I order 4 gigs but I am not sure how big a difference I will receive ordering 4 gigs in games, photoshop, and general tasks, how much a difference would I receive?
     
    runee1000, Feb 23, 2009
    #1
  2. Duct Tape Dude

    Duct Tape Dude Duct Tape Dude

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    You said it yourself, the OS cannot address the full 4GB of RAM. Unless you plan on getting a 64-bit OS, stick with 3GB.
     
    Duct Tape Dude, Feb 23, 2009
    #2
  3. FrankTabletuser

    FrankTabletuser Notebook Evangelist

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    I would get 4GB.
    You get Dual Channel and you will, with Win 7, upgrade to 64bit, and then you're happy that you've bought 4GB.
     
    FrankTabletuser, Feb 23, 2009
    #3
  4. Jakamo5

    Jakamo5 Tetra Vaal

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    64-bit is the future, get the extra ram
     
    Jakamo5, Feb 23, 2009
    #4
  5. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Get the absolute minimum RAM, and buy it for much cheaper from sites like www.newegg.com. +$100 to go from 3GB to 4GB is pure profit for them.
     
    Greg, Feb 23, 2009
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  6. Brawn

    Brawn The Awesome

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    the vaio z supports dual channel with 3gigs too, so for you, if you will not change to 64bit (although there really is no reason not to), then 3 gigs is better than 4

    i use 64bit and i also use 3 gigs, never used above 2gigs on my 32 bit system
     
    Brawn, Feb 23, 2009
    #6
  7. gary_hendricks

    gary_hendricks Notebook Evangelist

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    3 gigs. that's the best for this situation.
     
    gary_hendricks, Feb 23, 2009
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  8. ashura

    ashura Notebook Evangelist

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    ashura, Feb 23, 2009
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  9. Mormegil83

    Mormegil83 I Love Lamp.

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    u could always use the extra RAM ur OS doesn't address for a RAMDISK until u get 64bit

    I dont' know much about it but topic RAMDISKs seems to pop up almost hand in hand with SSD discussions...
     
    Mormegil83, Feb 23, 2009
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  10. Greedy

    Greedy Notebook Enthusiast

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    Imo this is the way to go. +$100 for +1Gb ram is a steal, specially if you have in mind that you can get 4Gb (2x2Gb) for less on any computer store that sells laptop components.
     
    Greedy, Feb 23, 2009
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  11. FrankTabletuser

    FrankTabletuser Notebook Evangelist

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    That's what I currently do. I have 4GB RAM but a 32bit OS, use RAMDisk to address the not useable space (I allocated 500MB for the RAMDisk) and put my whole Opera Browser with cache etc on it to improve speed and reduce HDD activity and also use it as a temp folder for other software.

    Greg's advice is the best. Buy the min. RAM option and upgrade it yourself later. Use the remaining module in a second notebook, sell it, or do with whatever you want :D
     
    FrankTabletuser, Feb 23, 2009
    #11