Aftermarket memory

Here is my dilema...I am purchasing a laptop and I want 4 gigs of memory the laptop offers 4 gigs of DDR2 800 for an adtional $165 dollars. The base model offer 2 gigs but takes up both slots. for $30 i can upgrade an get 2 gigs in one slot. So which option would be cheapest

1. base model and buy 2x 2 GB of DDR2 800 after market?
2. Get the $30 upgrade and buy 1x 2GB of DDR2 800 which should be cheaper then option 1?
3. Get $165 upgrade option which gives me 2x 2 GB DDR2 800?

I also have a four choice.
4. Spend $130 and get 2x 2 GB of DDR2 677

My main concern is if I go with option 2, can i get 1x 2 GB DDR2 800 for less then $135? I also thought of going with the base model and buy DDR2 677, cause i'm thinking that there is not much difference in performance between 677 and 800

 

Firstly, you are right about the lack of difference between 667 and 800. From what I've heard, the new Santa Rosa Core 2 Duos (which I'm guessing is what the processor will be) will only run the RAM at 667 regardless of its maximum speed.

Personally, I'd go for the upgrade to a single 2GB stick and then fit another myself. But first, I'd have to say do you really need 4GB of RAM? Unless you are running a 64 bit operating system you will only be able to use just over 3GB, and certainly with Vista 32-bit performance gained by going from 2 to 3-and-a-bit gigs of RAM is negligible. So I'd probably take the stock option and upgrade at a later date.

 

Well I have access to both WinXP 64bit and Vista 64bit so being able to use all the memory won't be a problem. An I also should have claified, I don't need all 4 GB right now, if i only got 2 GB I would probaly wait several months before upgrading, my concern is if I wait given the fact that I will already have 1x 2 GB 800 will I be able to find a second after market 1x 2GB 800 for less then what they are offer of $135? Granted I don't need it right now but if I can save more money now as opposed to later, I think i would be better off.

 

you can go for the DDR2 667 type........ and pick up 1 stick for $30 more from manufacturer and get another 2GB from any retail store ($90-$130)....

 

The problem with that is the 1 stick from the manufacutare is DDR2 800 and as of yet i have been unable to find a 2GB DDR2 800 for less then $180, and corect me if I wrong, but you can't mix DDR2 800 and DDR2 667.

 

I believe you can, your DDR2 800 will clock down to DDR2 667.

 

Any current Intel processor equipped computer will downclock DDR2-800 to DDR2-667 speeds. Known fact.

DDR2-800 notebook RAM is only really useful when the computer is using a desktop processor (think those giant 17"-20" machines).

 

So would it be worth it if i was to go with the Sager 9621/Clevo D901C, which has a desktop procesor to wait and buy DDR2 800?

 

well, you can use 800 MHz stick in combination with 667 MHz stick and the combination will run at 667 MHz effectively......
anyway, the santarosa chipset will downclock the 800 MHz Memory to 667 MHz...., so, it doesn't matter (performance wise) whether you use a 800 MHz memory or 667 MHz memory..., it's just that you'll have to shell out more money for no performance gain.......