Help With Ram Upgrade Please

Can anyone of you guys advise me on a good brand, and if so the model # for 2 2Gb ram modules. I have 2 1GB's in here now. I realize I need to remove my singles and put in 2 new ones. I have a CF-30 MK2.

I was looking at some Kingston's, but they have so many different types I wasnt sure which one's are the good one's. I am of the understanding it needs to be a 200 PIN SO-DIMM 1.8 V DDR2 PC2-4200?

Thank you very much!

 

Crucial has the best modules, and after-sales customer support.

My advice -- Goto www.crucial.com -- Either select your notebook manually, or run their system scanner, as they will offer modules that are guaranteed to be compatible.

 

According to there site you can run PC2-5300 Chips. Anyone tried this?

-James

 

I installed KINGSTON 2GB DDR2-667 SODIMM 5300

Its the same speed as the 1 gb module that came with the mk-2
cf-30
The mk-1 had pc2-4200 as standard


Alex

 

Tried to scan my cf-30 ,will not scan

Had to find out the old way
Pull out a module and look

Alex

 

I agree that Crucial is a fairly good brand. I've also been fortunate with OCZ, Kingston, PQI, and PNY. I would personally check various brands on Newegg.com and read the feedback left with various models compatible with you laptop. In addition, there is a memory compatibility lookup on the website which is beneficial if you are uncertain on which type to get. Also, double-check your Notebook Manufacturer's website for any HCL (hardware compatibility list) for supported brands. Sometimes they post that but sometimes they don't - especially if they want you to purchase from them.

 

My local place at home has a Corsair PC6400 DDR2, 800 Mhz. He said it would work just fine not being a 4200. They also have a Kingston PC2-5300 DDR2.

I will do the system scanner at Crucial and see what it says.

 

Get the kingston 5300



Alex

 

Ok, this is what mine comes up with. What do you think??

http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=65035A82A5CA7304

 

Yes it will work fine
That price is the same as I paid for my Kingston, and I had free shipping.

Alex

 

Ok, I just picked up 4Mg of Kingston, PC2 6400 800MHZ FOR $85.00. I guess I could have gotten it a little cheaper online, but there are some things I want to do to my puter this weekend.

My next project is changing my HDD! One task at a time...

Thanks guys for all your help.

 

Well let us know if that works for you as it is not supported by the CF-30

If it does that will be cool. Any little speed helps.

-James

 

Zippy, I put them in this afternoon when I got home. All I have to say is WOW! This thing is at least 50 to 75% faster. Everything I do is at a blink of an eye fast. This is the 1st computer I have ever added more ram, I never thought it would make this big of a difference.

Please educate me. What do you mean by it's not supported? In regards to the specs I am under the impression they are the correct ram modules. The only difference is they are not 4200. I was told that if it's at least 4200 then you are good, just dont go under that #. Is that incorrect? The last thing I want to do is mess this thing up. The computer did not pick them up the 1st time, but the manual says that is very likely, just reinsert them.

If anybody wants to speed there CF-30 for under $100.00 bucks I say do it. I just regret not getting the 4Gbs from the start.

 

James,
There will be no speed increase going to the 800 ram as the m/b chipset ram timing is set at 667.
The increase would be in total available ram size, and from latency timing.


The modules I have are the standard 5 clock cycles, but I know that faster 4 clock cycle memory is available now, and that memory definitely would be slightly faster.


Alex

 

Toyo,

Are you running Vista?
What hard drives are you considering?

Alex

 

Well most of the time if a computer says it takes a certain speed it will not recognize anything past that speed. I had problems with this in desktop computers trying to run ram that is not supported. ie higher specs than what was advertised

It should not hurt the computer in anyway I was just worried it would not see the ram at all.

As to the 667 setting i can see how that will affect it. I figured if it was set at 667 it would not see anything over that or be flaky at best.

I think i might take a look at some cas4 sticks and upgrade to 4gb but since i am running a 32bit OS it will only see 3gb anyway.

-James

 

Ram compatibility problems are not as common as they were a few years ago.
It’s generally ok to go to faster modules, especially if you are changing them in pairs.

Ram is so cheap right now , especially if you are buying the latest standards.

Alex

 

You know, last night I was thinking about that same thing. Running 32 bit XP only gives me 3.5 of that 4 GB of ram. Why is my computer running like night and day now? The only other thing I did was pull all the power a couple of times. Surley that wouldnt do anything.

I am wanting to swap over to Vista. My current HDD is an 80GB that came with it. I was browsing at a Seagate 250GB yesterday for $159.00.

 

My Vista install on the cf-19 uses a min of 1.1GB memory , that’s without any applications running.

The 4GB you have now will help I’m sure, if you are going to run Vista.

I’m only using up 32GB of 80GB but I transfer and backup on dvd’s regularly.

The 7200rpm 250gb Seagate drive is only about $100can in Vancouver at local store I deal with.

I am going to load my cf-30 with Vista on the standard 80GB drive
I have a extra caddy, and a 32GB Samsung SSD on order to run XP
The SSD drives are expensive in the larger sizes so I have settled on the smaller capacity drive and will continue to backup onto dvd’s.


Alex

 

Vista Is nice but honestly not worth it to me. I run XP on my CF-30 and could not be happier. I have Vista on my desktop PC to have DX10 and that is really all. (I got it free from MS - its legal) It looks nice but that is really all that matters. It hogs memory like no other which is bad it you don't run a 64bit OS. And 64bit sucks for me. I run it on my PC and man so many problems with programs etc. It is so much better now than when vista came out but it is still not completely ready yet in my opinion.

I was a beta tester for vista and man it was buggy. I might go vista on my cf-30 some day but not yet.

-James

 

Zippy, After playing around on my home HP with Vista I have to agree with you 100%. It acts like a big brother. Windows always popping up asking you "you sure want to do this, that etc" I will be running something very simple and watch the CPU % and it's always jumping to 100%. It has at least 5 times more power than my CF-30. My XP never does that.


Like you, I just dont feel it's there yet. I love the look, and some of the added features and such, but that's all just window dressing in my opinion.