RAM researching

Last year i purchased an HP nc8430, it only came with 1GB pc4200 RAM (via 2x512mb.)

I want to put in as much RAM as possible because i multi-task about 90% of the time.


I will usually be running a game, itunes, aim, IE with 2-3 tabs, and my antivirus/spyware programs in the taskbar.


So that being said, i would like to load as much RAM as possble into my laptop.

I am running XP pro so i am aware of the 3GB cap.


I was going to purchase 2x2GB geil sticks from newegg untill i found out about the cap.

My question's are....

If I want to max out my laptop with a 2GB in one slot and a 1GB in the other slot for 3GB total, is there any con's to not usuing identical sticks of RAM?

And also, will i notice the difference between 3GB total and 2GB total (2x1GB sticks)?

 

This says you can use PC5300/5400 Link. Very slightly lower Bandwidth running 3GB vs 2X1GB, I would not worry about it. 2nd, with XP 2GB is enough.
Here is more info on 3GB vs 2GB Link it is in the stickeys at the top of the hardware section.

 

There are some cons to not using the same identical RAM:

This is from this post http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=167472 which has some information that is very useful. Basically, from what I'm reading from it, it says there are some slight disadvantages to having two separate sized RAMs (it will be slower) and to make sure you match the latency and speed.

You may notice the difference between 3GB total and 2GB total if you're actually in the habit of using a great deal of memory. You say you're a multi-tasker, so it could be of benefit, especially since you'll be doing a lot of things at once that do take up a decent amount of memory. The higher memory you have the more improvement, but since you're on XP Pro, I don't see a big reason for 3GB (if you head on over to Vista, then I'd say get the one stick of 2GB and wait till you have the money from another 2GB stick.)

Anyone else have some opinion?

 

Hehe, the guide you pointed out is the same guide that powerpack pointed out, which incidentally, is a very nice guide - written by powerpack. So I do suggest looking at powerpack's guide. Here's another link though. And here it is again: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=167472

 

thanks guys, i just purchased two 1gb sticks for corsair. we will see how this works. If the benefit of 2GB-3GB is only marginal, then ill just save the $100 difference and go with 2GB.