Computer memory question

[Robert_in_NY]

I have a Compaq Presario C500 laptop with 1 gig of ram. It uses Vista also and I would like to keep Vista. I would like to upgrade to 2 gig of ram if it will help but I have been told with my system it really won't make a noticable difference.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this or should I just not worry about it?

 

[IH3444]

Robert, from what I have read at ExtremeTech - Deep technology for enthusiasts and professionals, and Tom's Hardware - Computer Hardware News, Tests, Ratings and Reviews, 2 gigs of ram are much better, especially for loading pages from the web, as well as for the new Microsoft Vista software. If your machine can support it, I would say get another gig. Problem may arise from incompatible RAM, so you may have to buy 2 gigs to up grade. Vista I believe can support up to 4 gigs. My understanding is that Vista almost needs 2 gigs just to function well, and more is better, such as 3 gigs, or 4 gigs.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Robert, from what I have read at ExtremeTech - Deep technology for enthusiasts and professionals, and Tom's Hardware - Computer Hardware News, Tests, Ratings and Reviews, 2 gigs of ram are much better, especially for loading pages from the web, as well as for the new Microsoft Vista software. If your machine can support it, I would say get another gig. Problem may arise from incompatible RAM, so you may have to buy 2 gigs to up grade. Vista I believe can support up to 4 gigs. My understanding is that Vista almost needs 2 gigs just to function well, and more is better, such as 3 gigs, or 4 gigs.

Thanks, my computer can only take up to 2 gigs and right now it has 2- 512's and if my reading is correct I need to keep them paired on my system otherwise if I put a 1 gig with the 512 it will only operate at 1 gig still.

HP (who owns Compaq) has 1 gig sticks for $100 each. I can get 1 gig sticks from Circuit City (that I think are the right ones) for $30 each. And Newegg has them for $20 each. I keep thinking you get what you pay for and the Circuit city chips are listed at $130 normal price but are reduced to $30 each now so I had been leaning towards those ones if I upgrade.

 

[Bird]

You can count me among those who know little to nothing about computers, and I'm dreading the day I have to buy a new one and go to Vista. However, since I figure that could happen just any time, I've been looking, shopping, visiting with salesmen, etc. and I, too, have been told to not get less than 2 gig with 3 being even better.

 

[J_J]

Thanks, my computer can only take up to 2 gigs and right now it has 2- 512's and if my reading is correct I need to keep them paired on my system otherwise if I put a 1 gig with the 512 it will only operate at 1 gig still.

HP (who owns Compaq) has 1 gig sticks for $100 each. I can get 1 gig sticks from Circuit City (that I think are the right ones) for $30 each. And Newegg has them for $20 each. I keep thinking you get what you pay for and the Circuit city chips are listed at $130 normal price but are reduced to $30 each now so I had been leaning towards those ones if I upgrade.

You will have to get 2 X 1 gig memory modules for your computer . Two gigs will be better , and if your machine will support more, get those. Make sure that they are compatible for your computer. There are a lot of memory chips out there so be careful what yo buy. Kingston and Crucial are some well known vender's. One of those vender's will read your memory and tell you what you need. Their prices are good also. When you are changing them, ground your self to the frame of the computer, and be very careful about static electricity from plastics, rugs, and wool clothing.

 

[IH3444]

Robert, I have bought RAM from Best Buy, used in an office machine, with no problem. If you could be more specific about what RAM you have, 184 pin, 667hz running speed etc.....I have also bought from Newegg, CompUSA, etc. Never had a problem. You can read about it at the mentioned sites. I was also told by a vendor whom sells memory that there are only a few manufactures in the world for memory, and if you buy a good brand, you'll be fine. Ebay may help also.

Bird, I have had great success with these fellows for high performance custom built workstation machines, that are priced very well. eCollegePC

JJ is giving you great advice.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Robert, I have bought RAM from Best Buy, used in an office machine, with no problem. If you could be more specific about what RAM you have, 184 pin, 667hz running speed etc.....I have also bought from Newegg, CompUSA, etc. Never had a problem. You can read about it at the mentioned sites. I was also told by a vendor whom sells memory that there are only a few manufactures in the world for memory, and if you buy a good brand, you'll be fine. Ebay may help also.

According to HP this is what they say I need 1GB 533MHz PC2-4200 DDR2 SODIMM

If you need more information about my laptop just ask and I will try my best to answer them. From what my computer tells me I can only use 2 gig max on this system and it came with 1 gig (2 x 512mb)

 

[BigE_]

"Upgrading" from Vista to XP will give you the same performance boost as adding another gig of RAM to the Vista machine. My XP laptop is running on 2 gigs of RAM, and if you check the performance tab in task manager, it never uses more than 1 gig of RAM. Vista will use that and more. If running Vista 64, don't exceed 2GB of RAM -- known bug that doesn't exist in Vista 32.

You'll also get a huge performance boost by disabling all the excess eye candy given to you by Micro$oft.

Hold down the Windows key and press Pause/Break.
Advanced tab --> Performance Settings --> Adjust for best performance.​

Then go back and choose "use visual styles on windows and buttons" & "use common tasks in folders" if you so desire.

Regards,
-Steve

 

[Robert_in_NY]

"Upgrading" from Vista to XP will give you the same performance boost as adding another gig of RAM to the Vista machine. My XP laptop is running on 2 gigs of RAM, and if you check the performance tab in task manager, it never uses more than 1 gig of RAM. Vista will use that and more. If running Vista 64, don't exceed 2GB of RAM -- known bug that doesn't exist in Vista 32.

You'll also get a huge performance boost by disabling all the excess eye candy given to you by Micro$oft.

Hold down the Windows key and press Pause/Break.
Advanced tab --> Performance Settings --> Adjust for best performance.​

Then go back and choose "use visual styles on windows and buttons" & "use common tasks in folders" if you so desire.

Regards,
-Steve

I actually like Vista but don't know why. It just seems more comfortable the XP. I have three systems and this one is Vista, the other is XP and my other one is ME. They all have some nice features but Vista seems more comfortable to me and things work fairly well.

I will do what you wrote and see if it helps. I know HP puts a lot of garbage on this system also which takes up a ton of space and it isn't easy to remove some of it.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[IH3444]

Ahhhh.....laptop! I have also bought from these fellows, www.memory4you.com. The HP laptop memory will be priced higher that for a desktop machine, but the 533Hz speed, and PC24200 should keep the price down to reasonable. I remember buying just a 96 chip for my nephew for helping me out, and it was $200. That was almost 10 years ago. Sounds like yours is priced much better for what you can get now.