Pay $40 extra for 8gb ram instead of 6?

[skippito]

Looking at an HP laptop 15t-ab100 with 5th gen i5-5200U Dual Core Processor + Intel HD Graphics 5500, with 1TD HD 5400 rpm. Cost is $429 with 6GB RAM, or $469 with 8GB RAM. Wondering if it is worth paying extra $40 for the additional 2GB RAM.

Not for gaming or video editing; I use my computer at least 8 hours a day working from home, Open Office word processor, lots web browsing, skype, a graphic design program sometimes, some simple photo editing, watch occasional movie or GS Warriors game.

I'll also have to get an adaptor/cable to use the HDMI port with my VGA monitor, and am hoping there's no loss of speed or quality using an adaptor.

Thank you so much for your expertise.

 

[Barty1884]

Looking at an HP laptop 15t-ab100 with 5th gen i5-5200U Dual Core Processor + Intel HD Graphics 5500, with 1TD HD 5400 rpm. Cost is $429 with 6GB RAM, or $469 with 8GB RAM. Wondering if it is worth paying extra $40 for the additional 2GB RAM.

Not for gaming or video editing; I use my computer at least 8 hours a day working from home, Open Office word processor, lots web browsing, skype, a graphic design program sometimes, some simple photo editing, watch occasional movie or GS Warriors game.

I'll also have to get an adaptor/cable to use the HDMI port with my VGA monitor, and am hoping there's no loss of speed or quality using an adaptor.

Thank you so much for your expertise.

First off, do you have a link to the specific laptop?

You'd see an increase at the 8GB for your photo editing & graphic design, but not exactly because it's 2GB more. When you have 6GB, you get 4GB + 2GB and, as a result it's not able to utilize dual channel properly (AFAIK).

Matching pairs of RAM sticks are always recommended. So the 2x4GB would be preferred (assuming they're matching sticks (manufacturer tested as compatible, same speed etc)

Saying that, $40 seems high (depending on where you are). A 2GB module (which is what you'll be getting) retails for around $12 - so manufacturers, getting it in bulk would likely be around $5 for them, so you're definitely 'over paying' for what you get.

From what I understand with that laptop, you can configure it up to 16GB RAM.
You'd actually be more cost-effective to take it at it's lowest RAM option (4GB) I believe, remove the 2x2GB modules (I assume that's how it would come configured) and purchase either 2x4GB (for 8GB) or 2x8GB (for 16GB).

2x4GB* would be around $40USD so for the same price as the 6GB, you could have 8GB, dual channel

2x8GB* can be had for around $75USD

So, there's definitely ways to get the better performance for the same price, or dramatically more RAM for a bit more, as detailed above.

*Until you post the link to the laptop you wish to purchase, I can't guarantee the exact RAM modules linked will work/will be the best for your laptop.

 

[skippito]

Thank you so much.
Here's the link to the laptop I'm looking at: http://store.hp.com/us/en/pdp/Laptops/hp-pavilion-15t-laptop-m7h64av-1

It appears that it is not available with 4GB Ram, just 6, 8, or higher.
The 8 has 1 DIMM, and the 6 has 2 DIMM, if that makes a difference for uitilizing the dual core most effectively.

 

[skippito]

Thank you so much.
Here's the link to the laptop I'm looking at: http://store.hp.com/us/en/pdp/Laptops/hp-pavilion-15t-laptop-m7h64av-1

It appears that it is not available with 4GB Ram, just 6, 8, or higher.
The 8 has 1 DIMM, and the 6 has 2 DIMM, if that makes a difference for uitilizing the dual core most effectively.

 

[Barty1884]

If that's the laptop you want to go for, personally I'd take it with the 6GB minimum, and order 2x8GB seperately and install myself.

 

[skippito]

If that's the laptop you want to go for, personally I'd take it with the 6GB minimum, and order 2x8GB seperately and install myself.

Thanks for the advice. And if 16 seems overmuch, I could always order 2x4 instead.

 

[Barty1884]

If that's the laptop you want to go for, personally I'd take it with the 6GB minimum, and order 2x8GB seperately and install myself.

Thanks for the advice. And if 16 seems overmuch, I could always order 2x4 instead.

Exactly. 2x4GB is probably all you need - you might luck out & be able to find the exact 4GB module you need to pair with the one that comes with it (run CPUz to establish what the 4GB details spec is) and you can always post back on this forum for assistance finding a compatible module.

16GB (2x8GB) isn't too expensive these days, hence that's what I would go with - but for your needs, 2x4GB

 

[skippito]

Great! Will do.Thanks again.

If that's the laptop you want to go for, personally I'd take it with the 6GB minimum, and order 2x8GB seperately and install myself.

Thanks for the advice. And if 16 seems overmuch, I could always order 2x4 instead.

Exactly. 2x4GB is probably all you need - you might luck out & be able to find the exact 4GB module you need to pair with the one that comes with it (run CPUz to establish what the 4GB details spec is) and you can always post back on this forum for assistance finding a compatible module.

16GB (2x8GB) isn't too expensive these days, hence that's what I would go with - but for your needs, 2x4GB

 

[Atelsth]

Thank you so much.
Here's the link to the laptop I'm looking at: http://store.hp.com/us/en/pdp/Laptops/hp-pavilion-15t-laptop-m7h64av-1

It appears that it is not available with 4GB Ram, just 6, 8, or higher.
The 8 has 1 DIMM, and the 6 has 2 DIMM, if that makes a difference for uitilizing the dual core most effectively.

Skippito- what did you end up doing?