How much improvement will 1Gb of RAM give me

[abc617]

So I was looking into upgrading my 3 year old laptop's RAM since its relatively cheap for DDR2-667MHz RAM, so I was wondering how much of a difference will it make? Like how much will I be able to see/notice if I upgrade my laptop from 3Gb RAM to 4Gb RAM? And is it worth it with today's prices for RAM?

Current specs:
Acer Aspire 5535
AMD Athlon x2 QL-64 (2.1 Ghz)
ATI Radeon HD 3200 (1403Mb)
3Gb DDR2-667MHz RAM (2814 MB usable because of integrated graphics)

 

[abekl]

Sure. The extra GB will def. come in handy and be put to use, especially given that your integrated graphics are using some of your memory already.

 

[abc617]

One other thing I noticed: while looking over the technical manual again, I noticed the following description:

System Memory
Dual-channel support

•Up to 2 GB of DDR2 667 MHz memory, upgradeable to 4 GB using two soDIMM modules*

NOTE: "*" "Only for certain models"

So does that mean I am limited to specific types of RAM from specific manufacturers? Or can I just go out and get any type of RAM that matches the RAM specifications listed in the manual?

 

[nikorr]

One other thing I noticed: while looking over the technical manual again, I noticed the following description:

System Memory
Dual-channel support

•Up to 2 GB of DDR2 667 MHz memory, upgradeable to 4 GB using two soDIMM modules*

NOTE: "*" "Only for certain models"

So does that mean I am limited to specific types of RAM from specific manufacturers? Or can I just go out and get any type of RAM that matches the RAM specifications listed in the manual?

No, u are not limited to specific manufacturers.

U just need to fit to the specification of your mobo RAM type.

It says u need ...

Memory Type: DDR2 PC2-6400, DDR2 PC2-5300, DDR2 (non-ECC)
Maximum Memory: 4GB
Slots: 2
Each memory slot can hold DDR2 PC2-6400, DDR2 PC2-5300 with a max of 2GB per slot.*
*Not to exceed manufacturer supported memory.
-----
So, u can use max 4GB @ 2GB per RAM stick(max 2 sticks)

And it should be with this specs.
DDR2 PC2-6400, DDR2 PC2-5300, DDR2 (non-ECC)

 

[nikorr]

And yes, 1GB makes a big differences, especially when it is 25% of all the RAM.

1-2GB will not make a differences if u have 10GB or 12GB of the RAM.

 

[unksol]

however due to the age of your system I have to ask, is it a 32bit OS? if so that extra gig is probably going to do nothing for you

 

[abc617]

Yes, it is a 32-Bit OS. But since I'm a student I get a discount for Windows 7 64-bit if I need it. But with my laptop's ~1Gb integrated graphics card, I figured that it wouldn't matter too much if I had a 32-bit vs 64-bit since less than 4Gb will be actually utilized.

 

[abc617]

Best answer selected by abc617.

 

[nikorr]

Thanx for the vote : )

 

[nikorr]

This topic has been closed by Nikorr