Yet another memory chip question...

[meateater]

What are the specs one have to match the old with new chipss to make sure it's compatible? I recently opened up my laptop and wrote down the specs for my 2 old chips. I'm gonna list them here and the more techologically savvy members who are willing to help can answer my question. All those who choose to dismiss me as a retard... well, I don't blame you...

 

Chip #1:

Buffalo 256MB

266MHz

PC2100

32Mx64 (WTF?) DDR SDRAM

 

Chip #2:

Transcend 128 MB

266 DDR SODIMM

 

Both CL 2.5 (This is voltage, I think?)

SDRAM and SODIMM mean the same thing?

I'm guessing that any new chip I get will need to be PC2100 & DDR? I wanna upgrage to a gig, hopefully 2...

[MrDad]

http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/

This will scan your laptop and tell you what memory it will take. There is a 77KB download and it needs an internet connection on your laptop.

http://www.crucial.com/store/listmfgr.asp?cat=RAM

This is Crucial's memory selector, if you can't or won't use their system scanner. It will give you the specs for compatible memory for your laptop. You can buy it from them or you can note the specs and go somewhere else to get it.

[StitchInTime]

Oh, you beat me to it. :D

 

And, the topic where this was covered is here: :cyclops:

 

http://forum.nitescifi.com/index.php?a=topic&t=7791

 

And, that's how I got the information for my machine.

 

By the way, thank you to the contributor of that one.

[meateater]

I actually used the Crucial stuff, but both didn't really help. The scanner couldn't determine what types my old chips are, and the other one didn't recognize my laptop make. Anyone heard of Nobilis? It's a company that a friend works for.

[TetsuoShima]

wait, you want to upgrade your laptop memory? afaik laptops usually only have 2 memory slots; so what does it matter is the new memory will be compatible with the old. as long as it is compatible with the laptop, you should be okay, since I suppose you won't be using your old memory (where would you put it?). With 1 gig new, you might be able to re-use the 256 meg bar, but with 2 gig new, I don't think you could re-use any of the old memory.

 

as for being compatible with the laptop, it would be a good bet to presume pc3200 CL3 rated memory will work. it will just run slower than it's rated spec. pc3200 CL3 should be able to run at pc2100 CL2.5 without any problems. the only problems that migth arise are compatibility problems between the specific memory you buy and the laptop (it's rare but it happens, usually with very cheap memory ). You will most likely not have to check the specific memory layout, since the specs seem recent enough.

 

explanation of the specs you gave above:

 

pc2100: means the memory is rated at a maximum frequency of 133MHz (or 266MHz DDR (double data rate))

 

CL2.5: means CAS latency is 2.5 cycles. CAS = column address strobe (won't get into explaining it, would take an entire page to do it properly), in short: the lower the CL, the faster the memory can respond to requests

 

32Mx64: is a part of the indication of the specific layout of the memorychips.

 

SDRAM: is the type of memory involved, in this case, to be complete, it should be DDR SDRAM

 

SODIMM: is the specific packaging of this memory module, SODIMM is standards for a lot of laptops.

 

 

Hope I helped and not confused further. ;)

[MrDad]

I actually used the Crucial stuff' date=' but both didn't really help. The scanner couldn't determine what types my old chips are, and the other one didn't recognize my laptop make. Anyone heard of Nobilis? It's a company that a friend works for.[/quote']http://www.nfusiontech.com/oem.htm

[meateater]

You know, I actually clicked on one of the ads on the bottom of the screen. I was sent to a site with a similar diagnostic program (4allmemory.com). This time, I found out that my computer was Uniwill and the model number. From there, I found the specific specifications (huh?) for my memory layout. So, problem solved! Thanks to all who gave me input (especially TetsuoShima for the clarification of the technobabble)!

[Arktis]

Just make sure you balance the phase inverters with the unidirectional inhibitor levels. It can be really tricky, especially when the bipolar kilopascal modification array is in a state of quasi-molecular flux.

[meateater]

Just make sure you balance the phase inverters with the unidirectional inhibitor levels. It can be really tricky' date=' especially when the bipolar kilopascal modification array is in a state of quasi-molecular flux.[/quote']

Dude, you're s**ting me, right? I'm a techno-retard, so if you're BSing me, I'll still believe you...

[StitchInTime]

You know' date=' I actually clicked on one of the ads on the bottom of the screen. I was sent to a site with a similar diagnostic program (4allmemory.com). This time, I found out that my computer was Uniwill and the model number. From there, I found the specific specifications (huh?) for my memory layout. So, problem solved! Thanks to all who gave me input (especially TetsuoShima for the clarification of the technobabble)![/quote']

You're welcome.

 

This is interesting. I get similar results at this site, except 4allmemory.com recommends PC-100, which seems odd, because my system came with PC-133, and the other site concurs that it should be PC-133. Allowing for currency exhange, plus shipping, etc., the PC-133 is about the same price.

[StitchInTime]

Just make sure you balance the phase inverters with the unidirectional inhibitor levels. It can be really tricky' date=' especially when the bipolar kilopascal modification array is in a state of quasi-molecular flux.[/quote']

Dude, you're s**ting me, right?

You got that right. It's just a bunch of trekker malarkey. ;)

 

But, don't forget to reverse the polarity of the neutron flow, or else you could be in a lot of trouble.

 

And, that's Doctor Who malarkey. :cyclops:

[meateater]

I got an email for Uniwill tech saying that my laptop has a memory capacity of 2x1GB. My CrucialScan diagnostic informed me that my Uniwill 258SA5 can support up to 1024MB. 2x1GB means that I have 2 slots, and that, together, gives me a capacity of 1GB? Or does 2x1=2, as dictated by the laws of mathematics?

[TetsuoShima]

The amount of ram a computer can use depends on the OS, the bios, the chipset, amount of sockets...

The OS is not important below 3gig, the bios and the chipset are important.

Most laptops have 2 sodimm sockets, some only have 1, but those usually have a certain amount of ram integrated into the motherboard, usually it's ultra-portables.

 

So I'll make a wild assumption and say you've probably got 2 slots.

Only limiting factors then is bios and chipset.

 

So from the product page, I conclude it supports 1 gig, I checked the bios updates and there was nothing that mentioned 2 gig. I checked the online manual (which must be the worst I've ever seen) and no mention of memory at all... :D

 

Of course, tech support should know it best, so they might have updated it, but failed to mention it properly on the site.

 

------

 

About the specific question, if I read 2x1GB, I understand 2GB total and 1GB/memory slot.

But maybe the techie in question was still hung over from the weekend and he did mean 2 slots and 1GB total.

If you want to be certain, I'd send the tech support a new mail asking for clarification and presenting them with a clear question and what you found on the other sites. Ask specifically for the maximum TOTAL supported amount.

[meateater]

About the specific question, if I read 2x1GB, I understand 2GB total and 1GB/memory slot.

But maybe the techie in question was still hung over from the weekend and he did mean 2 slots and 1GB total.

If you want to be certain, I'd send the tech support a new mail asking for clarification and presenting them with a clear question and what you found on the other sites. Ask specifically for the maximum TOTAL supported amount.

Fourth of July week. I should've guessed it. With all the info needed to run the Crucial Memory Recommendation thingee, it spat out 3 choices:

#1. 512MB: DDR PC2700 • CL=2.5 • UNBUFFERED • NON-ECC • DDR333 • 2.5V • 64Meg x 64 ($67.99)

#2. 512MB: DDR PC3200 • CL=3 • UNBUFFERED • NON-ECC • DDR400 • 2.5V • 64Meg x 64 ($73.99)

#3. 256MB: DDR PC2700 • CL=2.5 • UNBUFFERED • Non-parity • DDR333 • 2.5V • 32Meg x 64 (Price inconsequential 'cuz I want the best)

 

As only a materialistic man would do, I would assume that the most expensive one would be the best (choice #2). But choice #1 has a lower CL. Please tell me, 'Oh Great and Powerful TetsuoShima', should I go with door #1 or door #2?

 

Others are welcome to answer as well. Just pretend this phrase 'Oh Great and Powerful TetsuoShima' actually reads like this 'Oh Great and Powerful '.

[TetsuoShima]

LOL :D

 

Well, since you want as much ram as possible as I undeerstand it. 3 is indeed not an option, you'd only have 512 meg.

 

1 and 2 give you 1 gig total.

 

In theory pc2700 cl2.5 and pc3200 cl3 are equally fast. But since laptops have the unfortunate tendency to allways run the ram at maximum latency, I think it's a safe bet pc3200 cl3 will be faster for you. I also checked the product page and pc3200 is also supported. So I'd go for #2. $6 more isn't that much anyway.

[meateater]

LOL :D

In theory pc2700 cl2.5 and pc3200 cl3 are equally fast. But since laptops have the unfortunate tendency to allways run the ram at maximum latency, I think it's a safe bet pc3200 cl3 will be faster for you. I also checked the product page and pc3200 is also supported. So I'd go for #2. $6 more isn't that much anyway.

Maximum latency... Sooo... What you're basically saying is that the more expensive one IS better. I knew it.

One final question, I swear... My laptop has a tendency to overheat. In fact, I've learned to type without my wrists touching the laptop because that portion where the battery is gets so friggin' hot. Some told me that this is solely a battery thing, and will not necessarily adversely affect the rest of the machine. What are you guys' take on this?

[TetsuoShima]

Ooh, that's not good news for your upgrade. Most likely the new memory (more and faster) will make the thing even hotter.

 

What you should do, is unscrew the thing and have a look at the heatsink on your processor. If you've had it for a while, chances are that there is a thick layer of dust blocking the corridor between the fan and the heatsink/output. Does your fan spin heavily a lot? Even when you're not doing anything that intensive? A friend of mine had the same thing with an Acer laptop a while ago. We open up the thing, and there it was a nice thick layer of dust. Afterwards, it became noticably cooler. Of course, 6 months later it's starting all over again. Dusty environment over here I guess....

 

Oh, and a another remark. I noticed you had a P4 processor in your laptop. When I advise people on laptops, my first thing is allways: never buy a laptop with a P4 processor. But well, since you allready have it, that won't do you any good. :p

 

Reason: P4 processors run quite hot by themselves, place them in a laptop and well.... So it's natural for P4 laptops to run hotter than others. But when it becomes excessive, in my experience, it's usually the dust on the heatsink.

 

Batteries don't like very high temperatures btw.

 

 

edit: oh, another thing, since you have cookies, I do want some for compensation. :cyclops:

[meateater]

When you say "spin heavily", do you mean noise-wise or movement-wise? I can hear it right now... As for dust, I cleared much of the dust away when I removed the panel to copy down my ram specs. That is, I cleared away what I can see caked on my fans (I've got 2).

 

As for the P4 processor, I'll remember that the next time I shop for a new laptop. This one will be palmed off to my sister in about a year or so. Come to think of it, the last one I had (Toshiba Sateilite) was pretty hot, too. Maybe it's my wrists...

 

So, back to the original topic. Would having two 512MB chips or a single 1GB chip be better?

 

Out of cookies... How about a freshly-brewed cup of coffee?

[TetsuoShima]

nah, I don't like coffee.

 

Usually 2x512MB is at least slightly faster.

[meateater]

Alright, one last thing. I've decided that $150 is too much for me to spend on upgrading my ram. So, instead of buying thru Crucial, I've looked on newegg.com and have narrowed down to two choices. One's Corsair and the other's Kingston. The page is here.

Personal preferences included, could anyone tell me which one's more suited for my machine? Corsair's CL is listed as 2.5, but many buyers complained that it's actually 3. My personal preference is Kingston, but the voltage is slightly higher (2.6V vs. 2.5V) and I do have to keep my overheating issue in mind.