Memory Upgrade for HPs?

Hi, all . . . my first post.

I just ordered the HP Pavillion 9500t with a Intel Core Due T7500 (2.2 GHz/4MB L2Cache).

I only ordered it with 1GB of RAM . . . because I want to order and install 4GB of RAM . . . not sure of the spec for such an order where to get the best price . . . I am open to an education on the issue!

I order to 9500t to replace my current HP Pavillion dv400 which only has 1GB of memory--2x512. I want to order 2GB of memory to upgrade it too. Needing more education.

For both RAM upgrades I need an education on DDR, DDR2, pins, ???Mhz, etc. I am a complete novice in installing memory.

All helpy would be greatly appreciated. I sure do not want to order the wrong thing!

Thanks for your help in advance!

 

Forgot to tell you the whole machine . . .

 

Check this thread for the best prices on RAM...
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=121363

Your dv9500t uses DDR2 memory. So, you will need '200pin DDR2 667 SODIMM's'. The max supported should be 4GB(2X2GB) but if you use a 32bit Vista then you are only going to see ~3GB.

 

Thanks for the fast reply and for the link!

Is that PC2 5300? Is my configuration capable of running 800MHz RAM on the 9500t I have configured?

Any particular brand of RAM I should avoid or you can recommend?

 

Yes DDR2 667 = PC2 5300. Although the FSB is upto 800MHz, the chipset 965PM does not suport memory over DD2 667...
http://www.intel.com/products/chipsets/pm965/index.htm

 

You are giving me that great education!

Should I have purchased Windows Vista instead of Home Premium to get the most out of my machine?

 

Any idea on what RAM I need for my oller HP Pavillion dv4000? Want to go from 1GB to 2GB of RAM.

 

You mean Vista Ultimate?? If so,its not really necessary other than the fact that Ultimate is the only version to be offered in 64bit. 64bit has its own issues with regards to older hardware for which there might no exist any 64bit drivers. The situation is much improved compared to a year ago but still 32bit is more than fine for home use.

Ofcourse Ultimate offers you all the features which are built in to Vista but Home Premium is pretty much the best value for money compared to other editions.

Can you list the specifications on the machine. It should still be DDR2 SODIMM but would be capable of suporting slower speeds 400(PC2 3200) or DDR2 533(PC2 42/4300).

 

Uner System info, the dv4000 says Intel Pentium M @ 1.86 GHz; 0.99 GHz of RAM.

Does that make sense? Do you need more info?

You are a great help! I really appreciate it!

 

Yes, I meant Ultimate. I bought Home Premium.

I am using the 9500t machine as a desktop replacement, mostly. I am running some older programs.

I do a lot of writing and PowerPoint stuff, and some gaming. Is Home Premium OK for that?

 

A 200pin DDR2 PC2 4300 should be compatible considering it uses i915 chipset.

Definately, Home Permium does not contain some features which will only be useful for business like the ability to join a domain or the full featured remote desktop. Ultimate also offers some extra upgrades like special wallpapers and supposedly more features yet to be released. But currently, you arent really missing out on the important features.

 

Home Premium sounds like it will work for me . . . I will go ahead and get the 4GB chips for the 9500t, even though I will only see 3GB benefit.

To the HP dv4000 . . . I just checjed the hardward profile . . .it says:

Mobile Intel 915GMGMS, 910GML Express Chpset Family."

Can you recommend then is it DDR or DDR 2, pins, MHz, etc? I really am a memory novice!

 

The dv4000 should use 200pin DDR2 SODIMM memory, but just to confirm you can run this small utility which will show amongst other things the memory type, speed and brand currently installed in the system...
http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

 

Thanks!

I found this web site . . .

http://www.intel.com/design/chipsets/mobile/915_fam.htm

I am not sure if I should get 533 MHz DDR 2 or 400 MHz DDR 2. There is light at the end of the tunnel, but am still a little confused.

I will rund the utility now.

 

Here's what came back . . . does it make any sense? WHat memory upgrade to 2GB do you recommend?

Sorry that there may be TMI.

Processor 1 (ID = 0)
Number of cores 1
Number of threads 1 (max 1)
Name Intel Pentium M 750
Codename Dothan
Specification Intel(R) Pentium(R) M processor 1.86GHz
Package Socket 479 mPGA (platform ID = 5h)
CPUID 6.D.8
Extended CPUID 6.D
Brand ID 22
Core Stepping C0
Technology 90 nm
Core Speed 798.3 MHz (6.0 x 133.0 MHz)
Rated Bus speed 532.2 MHz
Stock frequency 1866 MHz
Instructions sets MMX, SSE, SSE2
L1 Data cache 32 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64-byte line size
L1 Instruction cache 32 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64-byte line size
L2 cache 2048 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64-byte line size
FID/VID Control yes
FID range 6.0x - 14.0x
max VID 1.308V
Northbridge Intel i915GMS/i910GML rev. B1
Southbridge Intel 82801FBM (ICH6-M) rev. 04
Memory Type DDR
Memory Size 1024 MBytes
Memory Frequency 166.3 MHz (4:5)
CAS# 2.5
RAS# to CAS# 3
RAS# Precharge 3
Cycle Time (tRAS) 7
DIMM #1

General
Memory type DDR
Manufacturer (ID) Nanya Technology (7F7F7F0B00000000)
Size 512 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC2700 (166 MHz)
Part number NT512D64SH8B0GM-6K
Serial number B0BD3275
Manufacturing date Week 38/Year 05

Attributes
Number of banks 2
Data width 64 bits
Correction None
Registered no
Buffered no
EPP no

Timings table
Frequency (MHz) 133 166
CAS# 2.0 2.5
RAS# to CAS# delay 3 3
RAS# Precharge 3 3
TRAS 6 7



DIMM #2

General
Memory type DDR
Manufacturer (ID) Nanya Technology (7F7F7F0B00000000)
Size 512 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC2700 (166 MHz)
Part number NT512D64SH8B0GM-6K
Serial number D1BD3274
Manufacturing date Week 38/Year 05

Attributes
Number of banks 2
Data width 64 bits
Correction None
Registered no
Buffered no
EPP no

Timings table
Frequency (MHz) 133 166
CAS# 2.0 2.5
RAS# to CAS# delay 3 3
RAS# Precharge 3 3
TRAS 6 7

 

Looks like it is running DDR 333 PC2700 memory. So you cannot use DDR2 memory with your dv4000. Seems like your's is one of the early models which used DDR memory before they switched to DDR2. Stick with either PC2700(DDR 333) or PC 3200(DDR 400). DO not use DDR2 memory since they are not compatible with each other.

2GB upgrade should be definately be possible. According to CPU-Z info you currently have DDR PC2700 SODIMM's. So, again a 200pin DDR PC2700 or PC3200 SODIMM memory should be compatible.

 

Interesting . . .

So DDR 333 or DDR 400 . . . which would you install?

So even though the website ( http://www.intel.com/products/chipsets/910gml/index.htm) says I can use DDR2 400 MHz, I shouldn't use DDR2 400?

You are being a great help! I really appreciate it!

 

The chipset supports both DDR or DDR2 memories(read the introductory text in the link) but its upto the manufacturer to implement one or the other. HP decided to use DDR, so you cannot use DDR2 memory since the sockets used are different. To be on the safe side I would go with DDR333 considering that is the speed HP originally shipped with the system.

P.S: If you want to be 100% certain about the memory, then just unscrew the memory cover and read the markings on the memory. That should definately indicate whether the memory is DDR or DDR2.

 

I am sure they used DDR . . . because I bought it sight unseen off their web site . . . I have learned that they buy on the cheap and sell high to gullible people like me!

Just was wondering if I could upgrade from the DDR 333 that is in there as I upgraded to 2GB.

I certainly trust your judgment after you read the results of the cpuz test . . .

So, I guess I should go with the DDR 333 2x1GB . . . right?

Any memory manufactuers I should avoid?

 

Just read the intro on the link . . . DDR 333 or DDR2 400 . . . got it!

So I understand that HP chose the DDR 333 for my model . . . what a great catch by you!

No wonder you are a "Super Moderator!"

Thanks a million!

 

Yes.

Most memories these days are pretty similar. But Crucial, Kingston, Corsair, OCZ and to a lesser extent Gskill, Patriot & Transcend are also very popular. There are others but I would generally skip them unless you see someone offering them at a lower price. It might be worth the risk if the memory works with your system. I prefer Crucial but they are sometimes more expensive compared to other menufacturers but their quality/support IMO is the best. But you should still be fine with running memory from other manufacturers as well.

After you buy and install your memory be sure to test the memory by running Memtest86+. This test usually takes a few hours(overnight) but it will catch any bad apples quite early.

Good luck.

 

You have been great . . . I will look at that special offer link you sent!

Thanks for all of the help!

Bye.

 

Thanks for the information miner. Can anyone please explain with technical details as to why Vista 32bit will only show up ~3GB RAM ?
I checked out this webpage http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_editions_final.asp and if you scroll down to the "Processor and memory support" section, it clearly says that Home Premium supports upto 16GB of RAM. Does that got something to do with the BIOS on the dv9500t ?

 

The the 4GB limit is due to the limitations of 32 bit OS and the ~3GB limit is by design limitation of Windows. There are ways for 32bit Windows to recognise more than 4GB RAM but it needs bios support and pretty much no laptops have it.

This article should explain why 32bit Vista only sees ~3GB RAM...
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929605/en-us