New DDR2 800 RAM for Toshiba Satellite A215-S7422

Hi all,

I just wanted to ask this to some more knowledgeable people than me.

My friend has a Toshiba Satellite A215-S7422 laptop. It's an OK laptop, but with Windows Vista 32-bit there's a lot of slowdown doing day to day things. It only has 1 GB of RAM (two 512 MB PC2-5300 sticks), and I thought that by replacing the two 512 MB PC2-5300 sticks with one 2 GB PC2-6400 (DDR2 800) stick that I could see a noticeable speed-up running Windows.

I was thinking about getting CORSAIR 2GB 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 800 (from Newegg, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...0233079&cm_re=PC2-6400-_-20-233-079-_-Product)

Before I spend the $44 I just wanted to confirm:
1) Would I see improvement with this RAM? Is it worth the $44?
2) Is there a better RAM that I should be getting? Crucial Memory Adviser says my system is compatible only with PC2-5300 or PC2-6400.
3) Do I just throw the 2 x 512 MB sticks out... or should I keep one? (There are only two slots) Or would this just limit the speed of the 2GB stick?

Thanks, sorry I know these are noob questions.

 

For your specific situation, buy the 2GB and use one of the 512MB sticks too.

For best 'bang-for-the-buck', consider 2x2GB sticks (identical is always better and this will take advantage of Dual Channel mode too), along with a Windows 7 upgrade.

Consider what an upgrade to Win 7 costs for your friend. Don't forget student discounts where you may find it as low as $30.

For the cheapest route but the most/best increase in performance, I suggest both the 2GB stick + one original 512MB stick in addition to a Win 7 upgrade.

This should give your friend an up to date computer that should last at least a couple of years for general use if not three or four more.

Good luck.

 

Hi tiller, OK I'm buying the Corsair RAM and I'll experiment myself with keeping one of the 512 mb sticks.

My friend and I are both students, and I did manage to snag Windows 7 for $30 during Christmas break with the 741 deal. However now it looks like it's $65? Unless I'm mistaken! Still a good deal but I wish it was $30 still -__-

 

Yeah, you have to jump on those deals when they're there!

Even at $65, the upgrade from Vista may still be worth it.

See:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/windows-7-notebook,2485.html

Cheers!

 

I would replace both 512MB sticks with 2GB RAM sticks.. 4GB RAM should make his system fast enough for anything... also a CPU and Hard drive upgrade would help.