Why can't my computer support 4gb of RAM?

I've been thinking of upgrading to 4gb of ram for my computer (currently have 2gb) but some sites I look at says my computer can only handle 2gb. Is this true? or can I actually install 4 gb? I've heard about the 32bit OS problem where I would only see about 3gb of RAM but would actually be using all 4. Is this all they are talking about or is my computer actually not compatable with 2x2 gb sticks of memory?

Thanks for your help.

I have a HP pavilion dv9000

 

Your laptop should support 4GB. And no, you will always only get about 3GB of it unless you have one of the newer HPs and use a 64bit OS.

 

In that case, should I just buy one 2gb stick of ram and install it beside my 1gb stick? Or should I buy 2x2gb sticks? Very confusing for me...

 

Buy whichever is cheaper or is available as a deal....But with a 32-bit OS, only ~3GB will be recognised. (What chipset?)

 

If you don't have a 64-bit OS and never intend on getting one just get one 2GB stick and have 3GB. You'll lose the dual channel functionality of your chipset if it supports it, but I'm guessing that the benefit of extra ram outweighs that loss.

 

Yeah, dual channel barely impacts performance. it used to with older processors, it does not now.

3GB >> dual-channel

 

K, I think I read that my comp doesn't support duel channel functionality. Also, if I were to upgrade to a 64bit Vista OS would I be able to use 4 gb of ram on this machine?

 

k, now I'm chatting with an HP customer service person and they are telling me that my computer can only support 2gb of ram. I tend to believe this website more but, I don't see why a computer would only support 2gb. that seems dumb.

 

That depends upon the chipset, BIOS.

 

Depends on your computer. The older ones do not, the newer ones do. What processor do you have (that will tell me a LOT).

At the time your notebook was made, the biggest chip configuration available was 2GB. 2GB sticks (to enable 4GB) were a footnote in the industry, which is why HP didn't mention up to 4GB support...because no one thought 4GB was going to be possible in the near future for notebooks.

It does depend though...my laptop (which is completely different from yours!) only supports 2GB...but then again I have a lower powered processor and chipset.

 

i have an intel core duo 1.73 ghz

 

Even if you had a 64bit OS, you could only use between 3GB-3.5GB then (depending on the exact configuration of your notebook).

 

The 945GM/PM does support 4GB DDR2-667 (unless the BIOS dos not support it). The 943GML only supports 2GB DDR2-533, and the 940GML does not provide support for Core Duo. So what chipset..??

 

good question... where would i find that info? thanks for the help btw.

 

I thought the dv9000 series all used the 945GM and 945PM chipsets.

Can the OP download and run CPU-Z to verify what chipset you have?

EDIT: Dang...forums are slow. See CPU-Z for chipset info.

 

I'm an alien to HPs, so best to check-out *CPU-Z*
If 945GM/PM, then 4GB should be supported (depending upon the BIOS)

 

looks like i945pm

 

Try to upgrade to 3-4GB DDR2-677 RAM. (depending upon your OS)

 

945PM will support 4GB of RAM, with about 3-3.5GB available. Might as well get 4GB...its cheap and you'll get a little more than 3GB anyway.

 

This is a post I made on another thread about the DV9000 series and 4 GB of RAM.

 

If correct talk of 64bit OS should stop as not supported.

 

Ouch...good catch. Looks like his dv9000 is going to get 4GB of RAM and a 32bit OS tops.

 

Hmm, HP is still saying that I can't actually upgrade beyond 2gb of ram... sigh, maybe I'll just have to buy the ram and see ... I trust this website very much and appreciate everyone's help.

 

It will work with 4GB. (Clarification: You cannot use all 4GB...about 3-3.5GB should be available)

Also notice the last few posts...you have a 32bit processor, we didn't catch that. So you are stuck with a 32bit OS unless you want to do a little more upgrading. Trust me...that isn't worth it so don't ask about changing your processor!

Even with a 64bit OS, and a 64bit processor, your chipset is limiting you to less than 4GB of RAM available no matter what.

 

Hi, HP fanboy here

You cant, you only have a 32bit CoreDuo cpu.

You will need a 64bit capable Core2Dup cpu to switch to 64bit.

i945pm chipset limits you to 3gb max, 32bit addressing.

 

I just posted some links where people have 4 GB in it. Manufacturer's site is not always updated. But since you can't use 64-bit OS, then you may as well just get 3 GB.

 

Fantastic, I just spoke with someone who knows what they are talking about at HP and he confirmed that I could indeed install 4gb of memory. Woot. Again, I understand I will only be able to use about 3 or 3.5. That's fine with me. Any upgrade is great. I'm looking forward to when WAR is released with eager anticipation. Thanks again for all your help!

 

Hmmm, anyone know how I can be sure it's the right type of memory for my notebook's slots?

 

CPU-Z. But I guess PC4200/4300 or PC5300/5400 200pin SO-DIMM DDR2. What CPU and I can tell you which one.

 

Get 200-pin SODIMM DDR2-667 (PC2-5300)

 

what's the difference between PC2-5300 and PC2-6400?

 

PC2-5300/5400 - DDR2-667 (frequency: 333MHz)
PC2-6200?/6400 - DDR2-800 (frequency: 400MHz) - supported but will downclock to 333MHz.

 

Cool, only reason I ask is I found a better deal on 6400 ram.

 

800Mhzx8=6400 exactly unlike the others. 667Mhzx8=5336 why they say 5300/5400.

 

Sorry, I mistyped it the first time, he must have seen it before I edited it to say 6400.