need help in making my mind......

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  1. Posts : 173
    windows 7 ultimate 32 bit
       #1

    need help in making my mind......


    Hi everyone,

    well i hv a compaq cq 40 laptop with core 2 due 2.00 GHz, 2 GB DDR 2 RAM and 160 GB HDD. now i m thinking to increase my internal HDD to say 500 GB. Now as my knowledge is very limited in this hardware field so i need help from you guys. My questions are:

    1. What to look for in the HDD which i m about to buy??
    2. DO i need to increase my RAM as well?? I m currently runing Windows 7 64 bit OS. If the answer is yes then what to look for while increasing the RAM.


    With regards
    Gautam7
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 8,398
    ultimate 64 sp1
       #2

    as far as hdd goes, you'll be wanting a 2.5 inch (laptop size) drive, and make sure it has a SATA interface - most of them do now, but be sure.

    also drives run at different speeds, a 7200 rpm is obviously faster than 5400 rpm. both will work inside your laptop.

    you only need to increase your ram if you are doing memory-intensive stuff on your pc. for everyday office stuff, email, internet, movie watching, music playing, then 2 gigs is probably enough. you only really need more if you are doing lots of things at once, or have to edit unusually large files.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 531
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 RTM + SP1
       #3

    With regards to Ram. Like Mickey Megabyte, its only necessary for memory intensive programs/apps.

    If you do want extra RAM, you would have to find out the limit for your laptop, most have a limit of 4Gb.

    You say you want to install 64bit windows, well with 2 gig of ram, it will eat most of it. So i would say yes, get some more.

    If you are only using this laptop for everyday use, stay with 2gb and get yourself a 32bit version of windows.

    Lucky
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 11,424
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64
       #4

    gautam7,
    Have you considered getting a external usb inclosure for the 160gb drive and going with a SSD drive for your OS and apps. You laptop will speed up like a mad dog and when you exhaust the storage on the 160 gb now reduced by the size of the OS and apps. you can purchase a larger portable drive like a full 1TB. Bonus for heat and energy savings with the SSD. Lightning boot times and faster overall application functions.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 173
    windows 7 ultimate 32 bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    thanks everyone for this quick replies.

    Mickey thanks for your SATA advice i will make sure of it.

    Again Luckystar i hv already purchased Windows & 64 bit. I dont run memory consuming application or do multy tasking BUT i hate to have a slow computer and want to use it smoothly. How much RAM do u think i will need keeping in mind i only use my laptop to daily general use??

    Thanks linnemeyerhere for SSD tip. but only concern i hv is using my 160 GB HDD as externel drive, because whenever i will need to eccess this drive i will have to scan it for viruses.... and i just dont wana think how much time it will consume just to scan this everytime. In between how much GB of SSD will be sufficient for OS and other application??
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 11,424
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64
       #6

    gautan7, A 60-64gb SSD would work fantastic and of course if you can afford a 128 go for it but the price jump is too steep for my blood currently. As far as virus scanning if the AV program is light it can work in the back ground and you won't notice it. When Sata III SSD's in the 128-256 gb range and larger fall then the 64gb SSD I currently have running will drop into my laptop and i will be doing exactly what were discussing.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 26,863
    Windows 11 Pro
       #7

    If it were me (and it's not) I would double the ram to 4 gigs if I were running a x64 windows 7. But, the ram needs to be an exact match to keep from having problems later. I would also look into the SSD idea. You can get a 90GB SSD for less than $200 right now. And use an external enclosure for your media and storage. If you try, you can put the OS and quite a few apps on a 90GB ssd with room to spare. Plus, with an external enclosure, if you run out to space, just buy another larger HD.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 531
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 RTM + SP1
       #8

    essenbe said:
    If it were me (and it's not) I would double the ram to 4 gigs if I were running a x64 windows 7. But, the ram needs to be an exact match to keep from having problems later.
    Exactly, 4 gig. That would be a plenty of RAM for your use, especially with 64bit.

    And yes, Make sure the ram is a matching pair.

    Have you checked to see how many sticks it takes?

    There should be at least 2.

    But double check!!!


    Lucky
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 173
    windows 7 ultimate 32 bit
    Thread Starter
       #9

    @ Luckystar
    Well from the disscution it seems i really need 4 gig of RAM and i think i will give it a go, can you kindly explain to me what this " matching pair RAM " mean?? Surely i dont want problem latter.


    As for SSD i talked to a local hardware shop and they said they will be able to encase my current HDD with a USB so that i can use it as an external drive, but dont you guys think that will be very slow, because when i transfer data to my 4 gig pendrive the transfer rate is only around 7 mbps.

    With regards
    Gautam7
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 11,424
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64
       #10

    gautam7,
    Matching pair just means that both sticks of ram or ram modules as they are know are the exact same. Same Mfg'r and same model. Also a good idea to check with the computer or mobo Mfg'r. to see if they have that exact ram on a tested and approved list.
    Regarding the existing HDD being moved to a usb enclosure this is really easy as well. I like this enclosure a lot.
    Ineo I-NA208U All-In-One Portable Storage - Leather Pouch, Business Card Holder, 2.5 SATA to USB, Black at TigerDirect
    Regarding the transfer speed usbII is slower than SataII but this new external disk will be written to more than anything as your OS and Apps. all reside on the SSD and when you do need a photo, music or document file it will do the job very well.
      My Computer


 
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