Help with RAM and laptop question please

shortmantuff · Nov 4, 2009

Ok, I'm thinking about adding more Memory to my laptop. I have no idea what to look for. Does basically any memory work with any laptop, or is there specific memory cards for specific laptops? In either case, what would you guys recommend for a Toshiba Satellite A215-S4757?

DocBrown · Nov 4, 2009

Toshiba Satellite A215-S4757

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Manufacturer: Toshiba
Part Number:PSAEGU-01100U

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General

Built-in Devices Stereo speakers , Wireless LAN antenna
Width 14.3 in
Depth 10.6 in
Height 1.5 in
Weight 6.4 lbs
Color Onyx blue metallic
Localization English / United States
Notebook type Budget , Mid-size laptops (6-7.5 lbs.)
Screen type Widescreen
Wireless capabilities IEEE 802.11g , IEEE 802.11b

Processor

Processor AMD Turion 64 X2 mobile technology TL-56 / 1.8 GHz
Multi-Core processor technology Dual-Core
64-bit processor Yes
Chipset type AMD M690V

Cache Memory

Type L2 cache
Cache size 1 MB

RAM

Installed Size 2 GB / 4 GB (max)
Technology DDR2 SDRAM
RAM configuration features 2 x 1 GB

Environmental Parameters

Environmental standards EPA Energy Star
Min Operating Temperature 41 °F
Max Operating Temperature 95 °F
Humidity Range Operating 20 - 80%

Storage Controller

Storage controller type Serial ATA/IDE
Storage Controller / Serial ATA Interface Serial ATA-150

Storage

Floppy Drive None
Hard Drive 250 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 4200 rpm
Storage Removable None
Hard drive type Portable

Optical Storage

Type DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM - Integrated
CD / DVD read speed 24x (CD) / 8x (DVD)
CD / DVD write speed 24x (CD) / 8x (DVD±R) / 4x (DVD±R DL)
CD / DVD rewrite speed 10x (CD) / 4x (DVD±RW) / 5x (DVD-RAM)

Optical Storage (2nd)

2nd optical storage type None

Card Reader

Card reader type 5 in 1 card reader
Supported flash memory cards Memory Stick , MultiMediaCard , SD Memory Card , xD-Picture Card , Memory Stick Pro

Display

Display Type 15.4 in TFT active matrix
Max Resolution 1280 x 800 ( WXGA )
Widescreen Display Yes
Color Support 24-bit (16.7 million colors)
Features TruBrite

Video

Graphics Processor / Vendor ATI Radeon X1200
Video Memory Shared video memory (UMA)
Max Allocated RAM Size 319 MB

Audio

Audio output type Sound card
Audio output compliant standards High Definition Audio
Audio Input Microphone

Notebook Camera

Camera Type Integrated

Input Device(s)

Input device type Keyboard , Touchpad

Telecom

Modem Fax / modem
Max transfer rate 56 Kbps
Protocols & Specifications ITU V.90

Networking

Networking Network adapter
Networking / Wireless LAN Supported Yes
Data link protocol Ethernet , IEEE 802.11b , IEEE 802.11g , Fast Ethernet
Networking standards IEEE 802.11b , IEEE 802.11g

Expansion / Connectivity

Expansion Slots Total (Free) 2 ( 0 ) x Memory , 1 ( 1 ) x ExpressCard
Interfaces 4 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A , 1 x IEEE 1394 (FireWire) , 1 x Display / video - VGA - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15) , 1 x Microphone - Input - Mini-phone 3.5 mm , 1 x Headphones - Output - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm , 1 x Display / video - S-video output , 1 x Modem - Phone line - RJ-11 , 1 x Network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX - RJ-45

Miscellaneous

Features System password , Administrator password , Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)
Compliant Standards CE , UL , cUL , R&TTE , DDC/CI , TUV GS , UL 1950 , ACPI 1.0b , VESA DPMS , FCC Part 68 , FCC Part 15 B , Plug and Play , CSA 22.2 No. 950

Power

Power device form factor External
Voltage Required AC 120/230 V

Battery

Technology 6-cell Lithium ion
Installed Qty 1

Operating System / Software

OS Provided Microsoft Windows Vista , Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Software Google Desktop , Google Toolbar , Toshiba Assist , Toshiba ConfigFree , Microsoft Works 8.5 , Adobe Acrobat Reader , Toshiba Disc Creator , Toshiba Game Console , Yahoo! Music Jukebox , Toshiba Security Assist , Toshiba Value Added Package , Sun Java 2 Runtime Environment , Ulead DVD MovieFactory for Toshiba , Toshiba Extended Tiles for Windows Mobility Center , Microsoft Office 2007 Home and Student Edition (Trial)

Manufacturer Warranty

Service & Support 1 year warranty
Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 1 year

Sustainability

shortmantuff · Nov 4, 2009

Thank you for that. So do I have to shop for a memory card based on the following...

Installed Size 2 GB / 4 GB (max)
Technology DDR2 SDRAM
RAM configuration features 2 x 1 GB

As I look at this, I take it when I purchase a memory card, I will base it on DDR2. I assume I can buy any DDR2 and it will work, or is this wrong? Also, there are different MHz. What do the different MHz's mean? Right now I know I need to buy a 2gb memory card to get 3gb. That's about it.

DarkXeno · Nov 4, 2009

Toshiba satellite a215-s4757 Memory Upgrade - satellite a215-s4757 RAM

try here I have used the site many times.

Your machine can only have two sticks in at a time so if you look here you can by two 2gig sticks to have a total of 4 gig.
Also Laptops use SODIMMS not standard DIMMS

whs · Nov 4, 2009

Scan your system with this (very safe) website ( SDRAM, DDR2 and DDR RAM memory upgrades from Crucial.com ). Then you know what your options are.

Snufffed · Nov 4, 2009

whs said:
Scan your system with this (very safe) website ( SDRAM, DDR2 and DDR RAM memory upgrades from Crucial.com ). Then you know what your options are.

I use Crucial Scan all the time when checking customers systems. easy to save the info, and they have a choice then with which they can see and say YES or NO.
+1 whs

shortmantuff · Nov 5, 2009

Would you recommend buying parts from crucial?

whs · Nov 5, 2009

shortmantuff said:
Would you recommend buying parts from crucial?

Crucial is a good company and has reasonable prices. But it never hurts to shop around. Just make sure you stay with decent companies and do not become victim of a scam. Here is a site you might use for price comparison: Kahlon - kahlon.com - Reviews, Ratings and Prices at ResellerRatings

shortmantuff · Nov 7, 2009

What do you guys think of this?

Newegg.com - CORSAIR 2GB 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Laptop Memory Model VS2GSDS667D2 - Laptop Memory

whs · Nov 7, 2009

That's a good price. Crucial is $49.99.

bobkn · Nov 7, 2009

shortmantuff said:
What do you guys think of this?

Newegg.com - CORSAIR 2GB 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Laptop Memory Model VS2GSDS667D2 - Laptop Memory

I suggest that you replace both SODIMMs at the same time, to avoid compatibility issues caused by mixing memory with different specs. You can get a small price break for buying a pair:

Newegg.com - CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Laptop Memory Model VS4GSDSKIT667D2 - Laptop Memory

You may not get the full capacity of 4GB of RAM in Win7 X86 (32 bit, widely know addressing limitation), but you'll max out the RAM.

Darryl Licht · Nov 7, 2009

bobkn said:
I suggest that you replace both SODIMMs at the same time, to avoid compatibility issues caused by mixing memory with different specs. .

I second that... most memory issues occur when you have a mismatched pair!

As for what memory to buy... Crucial, Kingston, Mushkin, all are good brands! And all offer a lifetime warranty, for an extra approx. $6.00 USD... WELL WORTH IT! Remember, you get what you pay for!

I'd use the memory configurator at any of the above memory manufacturers website or neweggs! I am a big newegg fan, they always come thru with price, service, and relaibility!

shortmantuff · Nov 8, 2009

So you believe Corsair is a good brand?

Darryl Licht · Nov 8, 2009

shortmantuff said:
So you believe Corsair is a good brand?

I like any major brand, matched pair, lifetime warranty RAM!

Does the corsair have Lifetime warranty? If so jump on a matched pair and sell your old stuff to a buddy or on ebay!

shortmantuff · Nov 8, 2009

bobkn said:
shortmantuff said:

What do you guys think of this?

Newegg.com - CORSAIR 2GB 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Laptop Memory Model VS2GSDS667D2 - Laptop Memory

Click to expand...

I suggest that you replace both SODIMMs at the same time, to avoid compatibility issues caused by mixing memory with different specs. You can get a small price break for buying a pair:

Newegg.com - CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Laptop Memory Model VS4GSDSKIT667D2 - Laptop Memory

You may not get the full capacity of 4GB of RAM in Win7 X86 (32 bit, widely know addressing limitation), but you'll max out the RAM.

Thank you. This is the information I wanted when I asked this question. Compatibility issues and things of that nature. Also, since I have toshiba memory, do you think adding a 2gb toshiba RAM to my PC, making a total of 3gb and about the amount 7 x86 will use, combat this compatibility issue? Or is it more of a gb issue than brand? On Toshiba Direct, the 2gb is $69.99 anyways so it would be $18 to get the 2 x 2gb.

All in all, should I stick with buying the 2 x 2g Corsair or just buy the 2gb Toshiba?

Darryl Licht · Nov 10, 2009

I'd buy 2x2GB of something new and matched... On newegg for example you can get a 2x2GB kit from anywhere between $82 and $105... much less than the Toshiba memory!

It's not a brand issue it's more a timing and speed issues, there are many different factors. It is considered best practice to install matched pairs of DDR ram. Also considering that you can get 4 GB for slightly over what toshiba would charge for 2GB... I'd get the Corsair or similar.

Hope that helps!

shortmantuff · Nov 10, 2009

Thanks. Ordered the 2x2g Corsair. Can't wait to see how much improvement it makes!

DarkXeno · Nov 10, 2009

shortmantuff said:
Thanks. Ordered the 2x2g Corsair. Can't wait to see how much improvement it makes!

Let us know how it goes for you.

shortmantuff · Nov 10, 2009

DarkXeno said:
shortmantuff said:

Thanks. Ordered the 2x2g Corsair. Can't wait to see how much improvement it makes!

Click to expand...

Let us know how it goes for you.

Will do.

shortmantuff · Nov 14, 2009

Well, just received the RAM in the mail today, and installed it and it installed fine. Recognized right away. Kind of bummed though. I was expecting it to load applications faster, and I can't really tell a difference. I'll keep checking to see if it does get better. As of now, iTunes and Firefox loads about the same speed, but CCleaner did load super fast, so undecided still.

Help with RAM and laptop question please

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