Buying some RAM

[PedroCst]

Hi again,
A friend of mine asked me to update his incredibly sluggish computer, and it's obvious for me that he needs significantly more RAM than he has right now.
The said computer has two slots, being one occupied with a 1GB stick.

My question is, should I buy a 2x1GB stick or a 2GB stick (same speeds, but different brand) in order to get optimal performance and stability?
(I still ponder getting 2x2GB, but I don't believe he's willing to pay £39 for it).

Best regards,
Pedro.

 

[Dude]

If his motherboard supports it, I would get two sticks and run them in dual channel. When using ram always match sticks of the same to avoid issues.

 

[PedroCst]

If his motherboard supports it, I would get two sticks and run them in dual channel. When using ram always match sticks of the same to avoid issues.

The laptop supports it.
Now I need to convince my friend to spend the money. And arrange a way to sell the old RAM stick.
BTW thinking about buying a Komputerbay stick. Super cheap and with great reviews on Amazon.

 

[kbrady1979]

Is the laptop running XP? If so, get 2x1GB sticks. Go here to find it: Crucial

If it is running Vista/7 try to talk him into 2x2GB sticks.

 

[PedroCst]

Is the laptop running XP? If so, get 2x1GB sticks. Go here to find it: Crucial

If it is running Vista/7 try to talk him into 2x2GB sticks.

Running 7 x86, already clean installed. Super sluggish as always, the RAM just doesn't cut it

 

[kbrady1979]

What did it come out with originally? CPU, RAM, HDD, OS, etc

 

[PedroCst]

What did it come out with originally? CPU, RAM, HDD, OS, etc

An Intel Core2Duo (don't know which, but one of the slowest ones), some staggering 1GB RAM, 320GB HDD, Vista x86. Don't know about the graphics card

 

[kbrady1979]

If he is running Win 7, he needs more RAM for sure, but the best upgrade would be an SSD though. No other upgrade would make near the difference as an SSD would make. But it sounds like he doesn't want to put any money into it. Tell him to get 4GB of RAM, but don't expect a miracle.....miracles start at about $100(common SSD price).

 

[PedroCst]

If he is running Win 7, he needs more RAM for sure, but the best upgrade would be an SSD though. No other upgrade would make near the difference as an SSD would make. But it sounds like he doesn't want to put any money into it. Tell him to get 4GB of RAM, but don't expect a miracle.....miracles start at about $100(common SSD price).

TBH the RAM is the greatest issue; 1GB is nothing, simple as that.
Just installed an SSD on one laptop of mine recently. Costed £73, and boy is it fast!

 

[kbrady1979]

It's the single greatest upgrade you can make to a computer, hands down. It's performance can't be matched with a new CPU/MOBO/RAM and it's a fraction of the price!

 

[PedroCst]

It's the single greatest upgrade you can make to a computer, hands down. It's performance can't be matched with a new CPU/MOBO/RAM and it's a fraction of the price!

Yeah I know, but when budget is constraining you for £40 don't expect an expense almost twice as large. I'm not even considering a SSD.
(the ideal would be RAM+SSD IMO, but that can't be done)

 

[kbrady1979]

That's why I said tell him the RAM will help, but not to expect a miracle

 

[PedroCst]

That's why I said tell him the RAM will help, but not to expect a miracle

And he will want only 2GB RAM. Or the "unrecommended" 3GB setup.

 

[kbrady1979]

Sometimes you just have to give them your recommendation and tell them until they are willing to accept it, don't bother you with it anymore...I've had to do that a few times.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Do we have the make and model number yet. If this is a older IDE still drive then an SSD won't really be an option. Even the ram will be limited by the mobo so details on the lappy would be best.

 

[kbrady1979]

I'm positive the HDD is SATA

 

[PedroCst]

It's a Fujistsu Siemens Esprimo Mobile v5515

The easiest way to check that out is by searching the specs on the chipset's webpage right?

 

[PedroCst]

Sometimes you just have to give them your recommendation and tell them until they are willing to accept it, don't bother you with it anymore...I've had to do that a few times.

The problem is, people aren't exactly rich in where I live. €100 is a lot of money

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Correct it's a sata hdd and will only take 2gb of ddr2 mobile ram.

http://uk.ts.fujitsu.com/rl/service... Mobile/Downloads/ds_esprimo_mobile_v5515.pdf

I would get one more 1 gb ram stick for 2gb total. Then you can try a fast class 10 usb thumb drive for a readyboost experiment which will learn to speed things along after a few days or not and leave you with a nice and cheap thumbdrive. I suggest a 4-8gb drive.

 

[PedroCst]

Let me tell you, each slot takes up to 2GB RAM, 4GB total. Not that you haven't understood that in the first place, just want to make sure
And, if I can put 1GB RAM on the empty slot, why can't I put 2GB?