RAM question...

I just bought an HP nx9600 on ebay and it comes with 2 512mb memory chips.
Max memory on that laptop is 2gb's so I would like to obviously purchase
two 1 gb memory chips and max out the RAM for best performance. While
doing a search for memory, I've discovered there are several different brands
and the prices range from 8.00 - 30.00. The specs are all the same regarding
mhz, # of pins, etc. My question to you guys is, do any of these chips perform
noticably better than another? Why the difference in price with the same exact
specs? Is there any brands I should stay away from and any I should look for?
Thanks in advance for any advise!

 

Higher prices would probably be for more enthusiast-focused users, and have faster timings and whatnot.

I like Kingston RAM (the "value" line should be easy on the wallet, too).

 

Crucial is also a good brand, as well as Corsair. I'd stay away from obscure brands, you're just asking for trouble with those. One suggestion would be to head over to newegg.com and look at RAM and its user ratings.

 

Possibly, depending on which memory sticks (or kits) you are looking at. If you can, please provide a list of the memory you are looking at.

Some companies charge a premium over others based purely off of brand name. PNY is a good example of this. Past this, I would say that price differences on different memory with exact specs are also affected in part by supply and demand.

I would stick with the more well-known brands such as OCZ, Corsair, Crucial, Kingston, Geil, and Mushkin. Each offers very good warranties and customer service.

 

Here's a link to the choices I have

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Category/category_slc.asp?CatId=1647

 

another question, I am finding the same model # RAM with both
200 pin and 240 pin. Is one better than the other or are each RAM
for different laptops? Can my laptop work with either pin configuration
or should I find out which one is exactly how many pins is mine? Thanks!

 

240 pin is desktop memory
Your laptop uses 200 pin DDR2 sodimm memory
You can install PC4200 or PC5300 memory.

None of that memory will work in your laptop

You want two of these:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3074360&CatId=4152

or two of these:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3427324&CatId=4152

or two of these:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2563171&CatId=4152

All three are good memory choices. Buy two of the same, any brand you choose is fine

K-TRON

 

Good use of forum code, K-TRON.

 

I appreciate the responses and will be purchasing a 200 pin ram for sure!
But all of those links show me a pc5400 ram and the specs on my laptop
calls for a pc4200 so I'm going to do alittle shopping around and find exactly
the correct RAM for my machine now that I have alittle more knowledge than
before. Thank you everyone.

 

PC5400 will automatically clock down to PC4200 speeds.
PC5400 is the same as PC5300 memory. It normally runs at 667MHz,
Your system supports 533MHz PC4200. The higher clocked memory will simply downclock to PC4200 speeds. Memory is designed to do this, so that it is compatible with a wide array of systems.

If you still want PC4200, you can get two of these:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1428330&CatId=4161

K-TRON

 

K-Tron, you read my mind! This morning I ordered those same exact RAM's
from tiger direct. With shipping and all they came out to 42 bucks. I'm sure
it will make a great difference than what the laptop has right now which is
1GB PC3200-SDRAM (400mhz). Again, thanks!