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    please help me to upgrade my old laptop...

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by danulissi, Mar 29, 2008.

  1. danulissi

    danulissi Newbie

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    hello everybody, I really need your help...
    I have an "old" Acer TravelMate 4021WLMi and it's perfect for my needs, but now has only 512mb RAM and 60gb HD... too low... and too slow...

    I really would like to upgrade it, I know that I can put 2gb of RAM max, but I don't know which (pc4200 is right?!??) and which brand...
    I can have:

    2 x Kingston 1GB DDR2 533MHz/PC2-4200 Laptop Memory Sodimm Non-ECC CL4 Unbuffered 1.8V

    2 x Crucial 1GB DDR2 533MHz/PC2-4200 Laptop Memory Sodimm 200-PIN Unbuffered CL4 Non-Ecc 1.8V

    2 x Corsair 1GB DDR2 533MHz/PC2-4200 Laptop Memory Sodimm Non-ECC Unbuffered CL4 Lifetime Warranty

    They cost more or less the same... which one you suggest me?


    And what about the HD? Now the only thing I know is that I have a 4200rpm 60gb...
    It will be ok if I take an ATA-100? What is the max capacity I can put in?

    I can have:

    WD Scorpio WD1200BEVE - hard drive - 120 GB - ATA-100

    Seagate Momentus 5400.3 ST9120822A - hard drive - 120 GB - ATA-100

    Or, if I put a 160gb:

    WD Scorpio WD1600BEVE - hard drive - 160 GB - ATA-100

    Here the same, which one do you suggest?
    Do you think I will notice much noise and heat because of the size and the velocity?


    Thanks a lot for your help!!!!!! ;)
     
  2. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

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    First off, welcome to NBR

    Your laptop uses ddr2 sodimm memory as you have seleced.
    I would get two of these memory cards:
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145593

    For a harddrive, you need to get a ata laptop harddrive.

    The fastest harddrive which will work in your laptop is the Hitachi 7K100 series and the WD 250Gb 5400rpm drive.

    Of the three harddrives you selected, go with the 160gb drive since it has a higher data density, which equals more speed.

    I would go with either the seagate 5400.3 for quiet and low power consumption: (160gb 5400)
    I have this drive and it has remarkably low power consumption, and it does not get very hot. Max around 120F
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148073

    or for the fastest ata notebook harddrive (250gb 5400)
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136159


    You made good choices,

    good luck with the purchase

    K-TRON
     
  3. Sir Travis D

    Sir Travis D Notebook Deity

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    I'd go with the curcial ram, and the 160gb hdd
    good luck
     
  4. biada

    biada Notebook Consultant

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    Question regarding RAM.. Whats the difference between DDR2 400, 533 & 667? Does it matter? Would any of this RAM work with my HPDV1000? Or do I have to check out which one I have 1st before I make the purchase?
     
  5. R4000

    R4000 Notebook Virtuoso

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    With Intel, the older cpus' front side bus speed matches the speed of ram you put in. I would check to see which you are using. Normally DDR2-667 would clock down to match the processor's FSB, but the system board has to recognize it first............