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    Need help with choosing RAM.

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Apex84, Aug 11, 2009.

  1. Apex84

    Apex84 Notebook Consultant

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    I want to buy a 4 GB kit for my Acer TravelMate 5520G-402G16 which currently holds 2 GB PC2-5300 RAM.
    This would be the first time I upgrade a laptop and I'm not sure what RAM to buy.
    I've found one Crucial and one Kingston kit but Crucial is PC2-6400 while my laptop runs at 667 MHz, and Kingston is PC2-5300 and has lower timings but is ~11€ more expensive than Crucial.
    Crucial Memory Advisor Tools recommends the PC2-6400 kit (among others) but will it run at lower timings when it clocks down to 667 MHz in my laptop?

    PS I can't manually set the timings in the BIOS like with a desktop PC.
     
    Apex84, Aug 11, 2009
    #1
  2. moral hazard

    moral hazard Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    yes :)


    you can with memset, spdtool or thaiphoon burner ;)

    although with memset you can't change the primary CAS latency.
    the other two tools will let you change a lot, be carefull though since it could kill your ram (which you may be able to revive with a hot flash but still...).
     
    moral hazard, Aug 11, 2009
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  3. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Use CPU-Z. If you have the PM/GM965 chipset then you are limited to PC2-5300/5400 (DDR2-667), but if you have PM/GM45 then you can use PC2-6400 (DDR2-800). Get whatever set is cheapest, because even if you can run it at the faster DDR2-800 speed or lower CAS latency, you will not notice ANY difference in any application. I wouldn't risk using software to change any memory parameters unless you know what you are doing and overclocking.
     
    sgogeta4, Aug 11, 2009
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  4. Apex84

    Apex84 Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks for the replies. I have an ATI RS690M chipset.
     
    Apex84, Aug 12, 2009
    #4