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    M780G chipset RAM upgrade

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by wyemarn, Sep 8, 2008.

  1. wyemarn

    wyemarn Notebook Consultant

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    I'll be getting Compaq CQ40-115AU soon and it comes with Turion X2 RM-70, M780G chipset, HD3200 and 1GB RAM. I"m thinking of adding another stick of RAM but not sure to add 1GB or 2GB stick. I will be using Vista x86 so I think 3GB would be the sweet spot. Would this chipset runs at dual channel if I mix 1GB with 2GB stick? Or should I safe some money and just get a 1GB stick?

    Thank you.
     
    wyemarn, Sep 8, 2008
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  2. marcklaser

    marcklaser Notebook Consultant

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    It's not one of the choices but I'd suggest you get 64-bit and 2x2gb.
     
    marcklaser, Sep 8, 2008
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  3. wyemarn

    wyemarn Notebook Consultant

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    I dont think I need 64bit for my laptop because of problems finding drivers. I wonder whether M780G will runs at dual channel with 1GB+2GB sticks.
     
    wyemarn, Sep 8, 2008
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  4. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    According to some, 1GB+1GB will run dual channel and the other half of the 2GB stick runs in single channel.

    I think it will all run in single channel.

    There is not much of a difference, probably a few percent.
     
    Greg, Sep 8, 2008
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  5. wyemarn

    wyemarn Notebook Consultant

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    That works on Intel chipset but I'm not sure on AMD chipsets. Need someone to make this confirmation.
     
    wyemarn, Sep 8, 2008
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  6. Andy

    Andy Notebook Prophet

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    No the RAM modules will not run in DC if the CPU is an AMD.

    For DC, you need 2 identical modules. If you add a 3rd module, all three memory modules will run in single channel mode, irrespective of the CPU.
     
    Andy, Sep 8, 2008
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  7. wyemarn

    wyemarn Notebook Consultant

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    I just checked and AMD does need two identical pair for dual channel.

    Since the laptop comes with 1GB stick, I have to get another 1GB for dual channel. Would 2GB enough for Vista x86? Im dont plan to run heavy games but I do multitask.

    Do you guys think getting 4GB is a good idea? I don't plan to use x64 OS because my desktop is running on x64 so I need a x86 laptop to run some software and hardware that are not compatible with x64.
     
    wyemarn, Sep 9, 2008
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  8. Andy

    Andy Notebook Prophet

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    Get 2+1GB....
     
    Andy, Sep 9, 2008
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  9. wyemarn

    wyemarn Notebook Consultant

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    The RAM would not run in dual channel. Won't that causes performance hit?
     
    wyemarn, Sep 10, 2008
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  10. miner

    miner Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    It wouldnt be anything noticable for daily usage unless you run some program which is sensitive to mem bandwidth & benchmarks. Dual channel's performance hits arent too great to override the benefits of extra RAM.
     
    miner, Sep 10, 2008
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  11. Andy

    Andy Notebook Prophet

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    Dang, I forgot your system had an AMD CPU. :eek:

    Yeah, stick to either 1+1/2+2GB.
    A.T. this Guide, AMDs take more advantage of dual-channel. So more boost with AMD, but it is nothing that big, that you'll notice.

    EDIT: Miner is right, anything that prevents going to the pagefile, is an improvement, even if single channel.
     
    Andy, Sep 10, 2008
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