Ram upgrade, last minute questions

Hello all,

I got big problems with my HP nc8430's ram recently (it has been acting weird only recently, blue screens, programs like FF or IE having fatal issues without specific reasons). I did a clean install from the recovery dvds and it didn't help. My pc is virus free. So because my computer is off warranty, they won't take it back so I'm gonna change the ram BUT :

- Should I go for 1 x 2Go so I can upgrade to more later (but losing the dual channel) or going for 2 x 1 Go ?

I have read reviews on the internet saying that a single 2 Gigs ram could actually slow down your computer compared to 2 x 512 (!) because of the lack of dual channel. Is it that important ? What would you go for ?

I have already set my mind on Crucial brand but I have no idea about the setting I should go for.

Thanks alot in advance !!

 

Buy the cheapest RAM you can find. Quite frankly, you can get 4 GB given how cheap RAM is these days.

Do not worry about dual channel.

 

I echo Lithus! I followed his advice and have 1 2GB stick and 1 1GB stick on both of my laptops (both are running 3GB of RAM if that didn't make sense). I sure don't see a slowdown on either of my systems. They are super fast.

If you're patient enough, watch for good deals on 2 2GB stick kits. I've seen extra good deals from frys that have a rebate. I got a 2GB stick for $14 after a $30 rebate.

I had no problems with the rebate either. Just be sure to follow the instructions to the letter.

 

Well your laptop does support 4gb of pc5300 memory, so I suggest getting 4gb of this memory:
4gb for $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145193

If this is too expensive, I suggest getting a single 2gb memory card, like this, so that you can use the 2gb card, and one of your 512mb cards, to have 2.5Gb of memory:
a single 2Gb card for $37
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145172

Buying a single 2gb card will allow you to upgrade to 4gb of memory in the future, and in the short term, you can use this card and one of your existing memory cards

K-TRON

 

Thanks for the input guys !! I don't live in the US so no rebates for me.

It's $60 for 2Gb Crucial ram here in France *sigh* so I'll go for only one of those, just wanted to make sure that a single card wouldn't be a cause of problem to my computer. And I'd rather not used the HP cards I already have, first because it wouldnt make much of a difference between a 2Gb and a 2.5Gb system and because I want a brand new brand ram in my laptop now.

I'll go for the 2Gb Crucial ram then, thanks !

ps : K-Tron, the exact same card can be found here : http://www.materiel.net/ctl/PC_portables1/37402-Value_Select_SO_DIMM_DDRII_2_Go_PC5300.html at a cost of 36€, which is like 60% more expensive than in the US :/

 

Thanks, my life's mission down the drain?

Before you give Lithus a big "love hug", you are running Dual Channel.

Don't worry, you will only take a 10% performance hit with a single stick. Really does not matter for most apps.