HP Ram Configuration

For HP's 3Gb of RAM configuration

Do they put in ONE 2Gb RAM and ONE 1Gb RAM

or do they put in TWO 1.5Gb RAM (Do those even exist ?!?!)

 

Your first guess is correct.

 

Wait, i have no idea why I asked that.

Because you can't upgrade to 4Gb of RAM without 64-bit OS anyways lol ... which im probably not gonna get. I heard most incompatibility issues come with the 64-bit versions. Plus, I'm not experienced enough in PC-knowledge to know what 64-bit offers over 32-bit anyways ...

 

I ordered a configuration with 2G of RAM. You can now buy 4G from Newegg for $70 shipped. 4G is still beneficial with 32-bit because Vista will still see about 3.5G.

 

Really ? I remember some guy posting here saying that his HP recognized about 2700mb of ram with 4Gb installed.

And are these cheaper rams just as good/better than the HP ones ?

Because I usually try to stick with OEM stuff just to be on the safe side

 

Well, I can only speak from experience with Desktops. I have purchased Corsair and Kingston Value Select RAM in the past without any problems. I usually purchase RAM based on its rated speed and latency timings. I most recently purchased 4GB of Patriot memory on sale for my desktop that I put together in February. It's been running great. Computer runs 24/7 and hasn't locked up once. I have installed both Vista and XP. I don't remember what Vista reported, but 32-bit XP currently states that I have 3668383K total. In other words, about 3.5GB.

This will be my first notebook I've ever owned, so we'll see how it goes.

- HP Pavilion dv6700t Special Edition CTO
- Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (32-bit)
- Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo Processor T9300 (2.50 GHz, 6 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
- 15.4" WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
- 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
- 50% OFF 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS - For Core 2 Duo Processors
- HP Imprint Finish (Influx) + Fingerprint Reader + Webcam + Microphone
- Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection and Bluetooth(TM)
- 160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
- LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
- No TV Tuner w/remote control
- High Capacity 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
- Microsoft(R) Office Home and Student 2007

I used the coupon, so my total came to $1123.37 after tax. If I could do it over again, I would probably just get the 120GB hard drive and save $40 because I will probably purchase a new hard drive anyway.

Edit: I would have purchased 64-bit Vista, but I have a high quality multifunction printer (MP700) that still works great and accepts generic ink without chips. The downside is there is not a 64-bit driver available. Until the newer printers stop requiring chips, I will stick with 32-bit, but still enjoy 3.5GB of system memory.

 

Nice, i'm hoping this offer comes back in June/July because that's when I'll have the money for my Verve which (currently) ponies up to $940

Intel C2D 2.5Ghz + 6Gb Cache
2Gb RAM (Will possibly upgrade to 3Gb if I need to bump up the price for the coupon if there's another price drop)
Intel AGN Wireless + Bluetooth (Hopefully there will be another free upgrade later)
160Gb HDD (Free upgrade from 120Gb)
Fingerprint + Webcam + Mic
6-Cell Hi-Cap Battery
Lightscribe (only if it's free)
HP Headphones (only to bump the price from $1395 to $1401 to be eligible for the $500 off lol)

No dedicated graphics for me though, I need that 3rd USB port and don't really need to spend $70 on something i probably won't ever need.

That ponies up to $1401 - $500 Rebate + $75 Tax = ~$990 or something like that.

 

Unless you know you're going to have an incompatibility issue like justinluck, I recommend going straight to 64-bit if you can follow the instructions in the clean Vista install sticky thread in this forum. 4GB RAM is so cheap that it's a "why not?" expense. I reiterate my recommendation for Crucial DDR2-667 SODIMMs which is what I put in my dv9000z.

 

But he should safe keep the ram from the original setup in case he has to send the laptop back to repair within his warranty period to put it back in when he sends his laptop to repair.

I left my 4 gb Crucial DDR2-667 ram in and the repair center called me and refused to repair the laptop unless they put HP certified ram in and charge me for it btw the also re imaged the hd drive..

 

I have a 32bit system and bought the min 2 GB (2X1 GB sticks) in my original order with HPShopping. I waited about a month for a good deal to pop up and one day Fry's had a 2GB stick for $14.99 after a $30 rebate. Just got my rebate check this week and I have 3GB of RAM. At the time, it was another $100 to upgrade to 3GB on a DV9700T.

Like pgifish says, I put the original RAM back in to send it in for repairs. Yes, one month after I bought my DV9700T but that's a sad tale I won't go into. So hang on to your OEM RAM just in case.

 

HP does have the option for 64-bit. i'm kinda new to this whole pc thing but what exactly does 64-bit offer that 32-bit doesn't aside from support of up to 4Gb of ram?

 

I tried out Vista x64 on my desktop and didn't really notice a difference from x32. Ironically, I then reverted to Win XP 32-bit and the computer does perform noticeably faster. Unfortunately, it appears the new HPs require Vista without headaches.