Upgrading my HP Laptop, what memory type...

...do I need and is it as easy as just buying a new stick and installing it? I have 2GB RAM and like to add another. I just like to know if there are others with similar specs as I do can recommend a good RAM that I can install. I like to go up to 3GB or 4GB. Thanks.

 

Most probably your using DDR2-667 RAM... You can use DDR2-800 , which will downclock to 667Mhz and also DDR2-800 RAM is cheaper.. Go and get a 4GB DDR2-800 RAM kit while you can... the price is rising for DDR2 RAM..

 

Download CPU-Z and find out what chipset you have and what memory you currently are using. It's most likely DDR2-667, so just get the cheapest 4GB DDR2 kit with lifetime warranty.

 

Thanks guys for the advice. So It's a matter of changing out both RAM chipset or just one. I mean if there is a 4GB RAM chipset or is it divided into 2GB? Thanks.

 

I've managed to find a list of different memories. Now I am a bit confuse on which to get. Can someone advise me please. Here is the link to the list. Thanks: http://www.dustinhome.se/productlist.aspx?lgroup=5476&dgroup=72

 

Here is the results from the spu-z:

 

Ok, a quick look at the user manual for your computer says that it uses PC2-5300, 667 MHz DDR2 memory. Now, the first thing you'll want to do is to open up your computer and take a look at your memory slots and see if your 2 GB of RAM is 2 sticks of 1 GB each (most likely), or 1 stick of 2 GB. If it's 2 sticks of 1 GB each, you'll need to buy 2 new sticks at 2 GB each (1 for each slot) to get to 4 GB of memory. If you're somehow lucky and only have a single stick of 2 GB, you can buy a single 2 GB stick and reach 4 GB of memory. Or, if you're ok with the possibility of only having 3 GB of memory, you can skip checking your computer, just buy a single stick of 2 GB size, and end up with either 3 GB (new 2 GB stick + 1 of the original 1 GB sticks) or 4 GB (new 2 GB stick + old 2 GB stick) if you're lucky.

Either way, from that site you linked, you're looking for the key words of 2 GB and DDR II (or DDR2). As long as it has those 2 key phrases, and at least 667 MHz (I didn't see anything less on that site, actually, except for the one PC4200 memory at the very beginning), it should work. DDR III (DDR3) simply will not work in your system (won't fit). If you've checked your system, found out that you have 2x 1 GB sticks, and want to get 4 GB, you might want to just buy a single pack of the entries that say "4 GB (2x2GB)" as those are actually 2 sticks of 2 GB each, instead of just buying 2 packs of one of the regular 2 GB sticks.

Edit - Don't feel like retyping the first part to stay coherent, but your CPU-Z results show that you have 2 sticks of 1 GB each. So, you'll need to either buy 2 new sticks of 2 GB each (or one of the 4 GB (2x2GB) packs) to get 4 GB, or just buy a single 2 GB stick and use it with one of your 1 GB sticks and have 3 GB.

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231210

 

I'm not sure the OP can use newegg. The site he linked has prices in kroner, which implies to me that he's either in Sweden, or near it, unless that just happened to be a convenient site to show memory sticks from. That's also way more memory than he was asking for. >.>

 

I was assuming that he was unaware that the HDX can hold 8gb--his sig shows 4gb max.

 

Thank you soo much for your detail description. I do humbly apprecite the time you took t explain this to me. Thank you so much. I think I will go for the single 2GB stick since I am still using 32bit vista. BTW, the prices of the link I posted is in Kronor and in Sweden. It is a company called Dustin.

One thing though. You mentioned that my computer uses the PC2-5300, 667 MHz DDR2. Does it matter if I install a stick that is 800MHZ or does it have to be a stick that is exactly 5300 and 667MHZ?

 

Just want to mention that when you do buy your RAM, I would suggest you buy two sticks of the same size (2 x 2GB DDR2 667 or 800Mhz modules) and sell your original memory after you've burned in and tested your new RAM for about 12 hours or more. (Use multiple copies of Mem Test and leave it running overnight).

To actually change the RAM, you'll need to Shut down your computer (do not hibernate or sleep), unplug the power cord and also take out the battery too.

Now, you can safely remove/replace the memory modules. When you boot for the first time, you may need to go into the BIOS and verify that the memory is recognized at the hardware level. Now, boot up into Windows and check once more that the O/S is also recognizing the new RAM (and now you can do the Mem Test run too).

You don't say why you need more RAM, but if you're simply looking for more overall performance from your system, I would suggest considering an upgrade to Win 7 first (you may still need the RAM, but I'm not convinced you do with your initial post). The upgrade would cost about as much as the 4GB of RAM, but if you really are not RAM limited as I am guessing, then the new O/S will bring much more benefits than a hardware upgrade on Vista would. (Especially a 'dog slow' O/S as Vista 32).

 

As sean473 said earlier, you can use the 800 MHz sticks (which, for the record, are PC2-6400) as well; they'll just downclock themselves automatically to the 667 MHz speed, which is why I said "at least" 667 MHz. Remember, the key words for you right now are DDR2 and 2 GB. PC2-5300, PC2-5400, PC2-6400, 667 MHz and 800 MHz will all work. Skip anything that says PC3-XXXX, DDR3, or DDR III. Oh, and make sure it's a SODIMM. SODIMMs are laptop memory, regular DIMMs are desktop memory and much too big. I think everything on the page of the site you linked were SODIMMs.

 

Thanks for the your advice. I wanted to upgrade in order to play Call of Duty modern warfare which recommends you have 3GB. I am planning on upgrading to Wind 7 but at a later date. So Win 7 is all what is cracked up to be?

 

Thank you. Makes sense and makes my choice easy Thank you for your advice again.

 

You should post in the HDX Dragon owners lounge and get feedback from other Dragon owners. I would recommend upgradeing to a 64 bit OS and as much RAM as you can afford up to 8gb.

 

To be completely honest, I really tried to get to like Vista 32 (3 years ago), but after many many setbacks (performance/productivity wise) I tried Vista x64 and never looked back.

Recommending the x64 version to everyone who listens (just runs much smoother - especially with 8GB of RAM), one of my old clients bought a Dell workstation notebook with an SSD (M6400, 8GB RAM, Vista x64 Ultimate and Samsung SSD).

When I first 'played' with that notebook, I was appalled - the performance truly sucked - my lowly VAIO was simply faster in almost every conceivable way than the Quad Core Extreme + Samsung SSD, M6400 was. Then, my client wanted me to upgrade his systems to Windows 7 x64 Ultimate. That simple act on the notebook made the computer almost 'normal'. What really brought it up to speed is installing every single driver and/or software update that Dell offered for his model and Windows 7 - the computer can now be truly called a 'workstation'. (We will ignore how the Samsung SSD 'stutters' still - I really cannot recommend them with my direct experience with them).

In your case, possibly Win 7 x64 would be 'overkill' for playing a game - but with 4GB of RAM and preferably 6GB or more (and assuming your computer peripherals all come with x64 bit drivers) then that is what I would wholeheartedly 'recommend'. But even the 32 bit version is better than Vista 32 bit is - by a lot in my opinion.

Yes, Win 7 is one of the best upgrades in O/S's yet (I shudder when I have to work on/use XP ).

 

How come this wasnt even suggested?

Use www.crucial.com
Run a scan, see the RAM suggested
Go to www.newegg.com
Type the RAM Crucial suggested
And hit buy

 

Hi. Here is the results I got using the Crucial scan:

 

So there you go, you can have a maximum of 2x2GB of DDR2 PC2-6400 which is the 800MHz or the PC2-5300 which is the 667MHz.

 

Thanks. Now the last question I have is what brand to go for? The list I have to choose from on the site for the money at this link below

http://www.dustinhome.se/productlist.aspx?lgroup=5476&dgroup=72&CurrentPage=2

and these two from Crucial: http://www.komplett.se/k/kcp.aspx?sku=331437&sku=344664

 

The one that offers lifetime warranty and is the cheapest should do fine. 99% of the time, it is not possible to go wrong there...or at least for me...^^

 

Again, the manufacturer of the RAM wouldn't bother me - not after I ran my Mem Test burn-in for at least a few hours (and life-time warranty was offered).

 

thanks guys. I think I will go with the 2 Crucial DDR2 SO-DIMM PC6400 2GB CL6

 

The crucial memory advisor is wrong about maximum memory, there are lots of Dragon owners using 8gb. The Crucial memory advisor says 4gb is max for my system when there are X305 owners using 8gb.

 

For my laptop and the new one, it got it right. So did it for a friend's and my sister's...

 

How does one tell that it uses more than 4 or 8gigs? Or should I say, how did the Dragon uses tell that they could use 8gig?

 

The intel datasheet for your chipset says it supports 4gb max. But many people have tested 8gb and it worked for them.

Basically for your notebook, it will depend on the BIOS.

You have a good chance of getting 6gb or 8gb.
But right now it's not worth even trying. Maybe next year borrow a 4gb stick or ram and test 6gb in your notebook. If it works then try 8gb.

But 4gb ram sticks are way too much money at the moment. Not worth it. 4gb is great.

 

4GB of RAM is more than enough.. unless you use photoshop.. 8GB ram kits are expensive and are becomming more expensive as DDR2 ram production gets phased out...

 

So if I understand this right. I would need a whole new computer to be able to use DDR3?

 

Yup!

 

Yes. DDR2 and DDR3 sticks are physically different, so there is no way to connect them.

 

Thank you guys. I will upgrade according to my pocket depth. 3gb sounds ok to start with until I can buy Win 7. I do not play a lot of games but when I do I like to have the requirements nailed down. I have a dedicated drive just for playing games with nothing else installed except the required programs. I'm not even connected to the net. I want everything tobe concentrated on the game itself. Thanks for all your help guys. I do appreciate a lot.

 

Sure thing! Let us know if there is something else we can help you with.

 

For future use the crucial upgrade tool is a good option for finding a ram upgrade.

 

Thanks guys. I will use the tool again.

 

yo!

if you can help me,what is the difference(s) between ddr2 667 mhz and ddr2 800mhz? worth to buy a 800 mhz when you have a 667 mhz?

 

If your notebook can run it @ 800mhz then it may give you 1 more frame per second.


But some chipsets like the PM965 (AKA santa rosa) can only run ram at 533 and 667mhz. So if you put in 800mhz ram, it will downclock to 667mhz.

Not worth it unless you're overclocking the FSB.