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    Upgrading memory. PC2-4200 with PC2-5300?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by oRis1024, Apr 12, 2008.

  1. oRis1024

    oRis1024 Newbie

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    Hey there,
    I know i'm a little bit behind with 512MB of RAM on my Satellite M115, but i've decided to upgrade to another gig or two.
    What i have now is ONE 512MB PC2-4200 stick in one slot. There is two slots. And according to memory-up
    (http://www.memory-up.com/Memory_Finders/MemorySelector.aspx?ModelID=3421&system=1)
    and the user manual i can put in up to 2GB per slot (4Gig total, which memory-up doesn't recommend for those running Windows).

    On that same page, memory-up offers two 2GB sticks:
    PC2-4200 2GB
    PC2-5300 2GB

    Now here is the question :) :
    If i want to keep my 512 stick in there, should i get PC2-4200 or PC2-5300 module?
    I think i've read somewhere that having PC2-4200 and PC2-5300 running together results in the speed of PC2-4200.. That's where i'm not sure.
    Can anybody explain how this is? Any suggestions?
     
    oRis1024, Apr 12, 2008
    #1
  2. R4000

    R4000 Notebook Virtuoso

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    The faster ram downclocks to the speed of the slower ram. You will be fine with it.
     
    R4000, Apr 12, 2008
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  3. powerpack

    powerpack Notebook Prophet

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    R4000 is correct but with RAM being so cheap I would not even hang on to that 512MB stick. At NewEgg about $40 to get 2X1GB sticks.
     
    powerpack, Apr 12, 2008
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  4. Bog

    Bog Losing it...

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    As per R4000's post, the PC-5300 should downclock. Note, however, that any faster RAM won't downclock.
     
    Bog, Apr 12, 2008
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  5. oRis1024

    oRis1024 Newbie

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    Thanks for replies!
    Well, i mess a lot with virtualization(running few OSs at the same time) and emulating routers(= LOTS OF RAM), so i thought that 2G + 512M would be better than 2G :D.
    (Oh yes, i'm only going to buy 2Gig module, so that if i'll go up to 4 i won't have to throw away any 1Gig's.)

    So you're saying that running 2Gig and 512M at the 4200 speed won't be as efficient as running 2Gig by itself at 5300?
     
    oRis1024, Apr 12, 2008
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  6. powerpack

    powerpack Notebook Prophet

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    Running 5300 vs 4200 is about the same. The increased speed is offset exactly by the latency. Running 2GB and 512MB is better than running just 2GB. It will run the 1st GB in dual channel (if supported) so yes that is fine. But also do you think you are going to switch OS's on this notebook? You can't make use of 4GB with 32bit OS
     
    powerpack, Apr 12, 2008
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  7. oRis1024

    oRis1024 Newbie

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    It does support dual channel, at least according to the specs i found..
    And about the 4GB limit, i thought it only applied to Microsoft Windows.. I have Fedora linux installed as a second OS on it and i'm pretty sure it's 32bit also. I thought it was the processor that determined whether i can run 32 or 64, that's why i always downloaded the 32bit distros..
     
    oRis1024, Apr 13, 2008
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  8. powerpack

    powerpack Notebook Prophet

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    Oh Boy Kid. Here we go, 32bit OS can only support 4GB of memory addresses no matter what OS you use. Certain components per se the video card use these so you don't even really have 4GB's. Before someone responds with PAE, that is crap! With a 32bit OS about 3GB's is the most you can make use of.
     
    powerpack, Apr 13, 2008
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  9. oRis1024

    oRis1024 Newbie

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    Alright then :) thanks for your help. For now i'm getting that PC2-5300 2GB, and see how it runs with what i have. Or i'll be a good brother and give my 512 to my sister who has the exact same laptop running on one 512 stick :)
    Thanks for your help!
     
    oRis1024, Apr 13, 2008
    #9