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    another quick ram question

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by albinorhino101, May 30, 2006.

  1. albinorhino101

    albinorhino101 Newbie

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    Hey, everyone just had a quick question about DDR2 ram. This is my first notebook and I haven't been keeping up on my technology lately. I'm planning on buying an HP dv8000t and from what i've read about DDR2, if you want to utilize the Dual channel that you should have symetric ram. I was planning to get the bare minimum of ram in it when i order it from HP and then order more off newegg, but i was wondering how much of a difference will it make if the ram isn't symetric? If i were to have 512 = 2x256 in it when i get it and then add another 1gb would it be really perform that much worse for not being symmetric? also would it work to put in 2x512 in addition to the 2x256 for a total of 1.5? I'm looking to put about 1.5gb in it, possibly a full 2 as money allows, but I want to use it to it's full potential. Also, does anyone know how many ram slots the 8000 series has? I was assuming 4 but it doesn't specify on the HP site.
     
    albinorhino101, May 30, 2006
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  2. Charr

    Charr Notebook Deity

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    I believe almost every notebook has two RAM slots availible. But when you are buying RAM, make sure the RAM's frequency that you are buying matches the one you are replacing (more technically speaking, don't excede the speed of the motherboard's bus)
     
    Charr, May 30, 2006
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  3. Lyshen

    Lyshen Notebook Evangelist

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    Actually there is nothing wrong with exceeding the speed of the specs on the motherboard, however you do not want to go below the speed of the motherboard.

    Take for example, the Sony SZ series, the ram on those can run at PC2-4200 or PC2-5300, 4200 being DDR2-533 and 5300 being DDR2-667. If however if they happen to make a DDR2-800 type sodimm (which does not exist to my knowledge) it would work, just you wouldn't be able to run at the max speed the So-Dimm module supports. The ram would be limited to at 533 or 667.

    As for what you are planning, its generally best to have two equally matched sticks that are same size and same speed. However you do not need to have this in order to use. (You could use 1x 256 + 1x 1Gig)

    Having them matched only means they can run in dual channel mode which from general censuses seems to say does not increase performance much. (I'm sure there is a performance gain for having dual channel, but just how much, I don't know as it varies from system type to system type)
     
    Lyshen, May 30, 2006
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  4. drumfu

    drumfu super modfu

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    just to add...

    it's better to have 1.25 GBs of RAM running in single channel, then 512 or 1 GB running in dual.

    basically more RAM in single channel > less RAM in dual channel
     
    drumfu, May 30, 2006
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