Upgearing

hi guys!

well, here is the thing:
i'v had my notebook for about a year now, and i think its high time that i kick it up a gear for the most topnotch performance i can squeeze out of it. the specs for my notebook are in my siggy, so i wont list em here.

so what i want to do is upgrade my HardDrive and add another stick of RAM because i got into video editing and heavy, heavy photoshop so i need the RAM and HDD. i "know" how to do both operations since their so easy, but what i dont know is where to buy the RAM and HDD.

i already have a 1GB stick in my lappie, so i need another 1GB stick.
i have a 60 GB 7200RPM Hitachi harddrive, i need more....wayyyy more, like 100 or 120 GB.

where can i buy these parts for quality and performance, i dont care about cheap, i want quality people!

and dont ask about the processor...it serves its duty.

 

You should go for some RAM that is from a good brand. Some company like Corsair, Kingston and Crucial. They all provide top specification RAM that is quite well priced, except for Crucial, who I think are a little expensive. Some people have said they have had no problem with cheaper RAM, but personally, I would avoid the possible hastle of some RAM not working. Also, if you have 1 GB in total in your notebook now, then it probably has two modules of 512 MB density each. That means, if you want to upgrade to 2 GB, you will have to purhcase two modules with densities of 1 GB each. Unless you are sure you have a GB module in the notebook, don't go out and buy one module. Sorry I can't recommend a place to buy. Hope this helps, though.

 

Check www.Newegg.com or www.ZipZoomFly.com for the notebook RAM, those are two stores I recommend. Your laptop takes 200-pin, DDR2-533 (PC4200) SO-DIMM RAM. As for the hard drive, you need a 2.5" ATA-6 (also known as Ultra ATA/100) drive. The highest capacity 7200RPM drive you can get is 100GB.

Upgrading the RAM + hard drive is definitely the best way to increase your performance. Also consider getting an external hard drive for more storage.

 

thanks guys!
Zero: im sure i have a 1GB stick because my other memory slot is open (i saw it when i was cleaning my notebook and Everest Pro tells me the same thing)

Chaz: Thanks, so ATA-6 2.5" ? Got it! i thought my notebook had a 3.5"HD, hmmm maybe thats only in desktops...well thanks guys! I really need the RAM and HD not only because i have over 30GB of home videos (many memorable ones too) but, im planning on getting some new games like Oblivion and Flight Sim X (which i heard takes up 16GB of HD space)

EDIT: whats this thing about "memory latency" ? anything i need to worry about while upgrading RAM?

EDIT 2: i see two things: PC4200 and PC2 4200...which one would my note book take?

 

Also, you can use your old HD as an external HD, you just only need 2.5" ATA enclosure, newegg has them. That is what I did with my old HD.

JC

 

how's this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145097

the customers gave it a good rating

 

Yes, the 3.5" drives are desktop ones. Since you have a lot of personal data stored on your drive (videos, photos), I would highly recommend an external hard drive, or backing up your data to DVD on a regular basis in case your hard drive fails.
Since you will be replacing the internal hard drive, a cool thing to do would be to buy a 2.5" ATA external hard drive enclosure for it - slap it in there and have yourself another 60GB of very portable storage. Great for backups . . just about everything.
Edit: I was beat to the external hard drive suggestion by NetBrakr, he gets the credit.

Don't worry about that - notebook RAM is generally the same all around, regardless of the manufacturer.

Either, it's the same thing. Some manufacturers use "PC 2" to designate that it is DDR2 memory. Others just say "PC4200".

Looks expensive. Try this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231042
$99.99 + shipping per stick.

 

hmmm 100 bucks for 1GB...thats pretty good..thanks chaz!

and about the ATA closure thingy for external (internal) Harddrive, about how much would that be? because ive only got $300 to spend! and that includes the new HD AND Oblivion (forget about FSX, i am not hearing good stuff about it ;( )

EDIT: oh i see that the closures are only 10~20 dollars...so thats ok

 

how about this HD?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822146230

 

Yup, its cheap. My enclosure cost me $5 (it wasnt from newegg).

As for HD, thats pretty good HD for both storage and speed.

JC

 

ok i bought all three things.... thanks everybody!