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    Should I: Memory upgrade for me and wife's computer?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by sac02, Jul 12, 2008.

  1. sac02

    sac02 Notebook Geek

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    My wife's computer is an Acer Aspire 5100. It has Vista Premium and currently has two 512 sticks of RAM in it. It's definitely not the fastest computer on the block to begin with, but I really think some extra memory could help it out a lot - even the basic stuff she uses it for like web browsing can get real slow at times.

    I have a Thinkpad x61s, Vista Ultimate, two 1gb sticks of Ram. I do Matlab and SolidWorks (engineer stuff) and I've got no complaints about my computer, but I can always handle an upgrade :D .

    Here's what I'm thinking: buy 4gb (two 2gb sticks) of RAM from newegg for $59 after shipping and mail-in rebate. Put the 4 gigs in my computer, and then put the 2 gigs I just took out of my computer into hers. Sell the two 512 sticks on ebay for a couple bucks.

    The other option is just to buy 2gb (2 x 1gb) for her computer and save a few bucks.

    Opinions?

    Mac
     
    sac02, Jul 12, 2008
    #1
  2. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

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    Aslong as you both have the same type of RAM, id go with the first option. Its wise :)
     
    flipfire, Jul 12, 2008
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  3. sac02

    sac02 Notebook Geek

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    By "same type" do you mean DDR2 or speed/frequency as well? I believe my notebook has 667Mhz and hers has 533; my understanding was that if I was to install my RAM in her notebook that it would simply underclock and still work fine.

    Mac
     
    sac02, Jul 12, 2008
    #3
  4. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

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    Try out your RAM on hers, see if that works first before buying. Definate answer this way.

    Be careful when handling RAM, they are sensitive to static electricity.
     
    flipfire, Jul 12, 2008
    #4
  5. Razor2

    Razor2 Notebook Deity

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    If both are DDR2 SO-DIMMs it should work. As for the frequency, it will work.
     
    Razor2, Jul 12, 2008
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  6. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

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    ddr2 memory will run fine at either 533Mhz or 667Mhz. The system will change its memory to fsb ratio, to compensate for the slower memory speed, and will run fine.

    Go for the first option it will work fine. The memory bandwidth may be a tad slower with the 533Mhz memory, but it will not be noticeable at all in normal use.

    K-TRON
     
    K-TRON, Jul 12, 2008
    #6
  7. houstoned

    houstoned Yoga Pants Connoisseur.

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    first option would be great.

    goin from 1GB of RAM to 2-3GB+ is a huge difference in a vista machine. good luck.
     
    houstoned, Jul 12, 2008
    #7