What can I use

[philz]

I really have NO idea how to read memory and/or cpu specs, so please be kind. A friend gave me an old (I don't know how old) Dell "studio" laptop with 4G of RAM (speccy identifies it as "4.00GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 398MHz (6-6-6-18)" I haven't opened the case yet, but I'm thinking that configuration consists of two 2G memory modules.

I actually like the system for what I use it for. Nothing "heavy", just a kitchen table thing for doing quick lookups and the like. Because multiple people are using it though, it seems to spend a lot of time swapping data and/or apps around, and I suspect at least some of that is because of a lack of sufficient memory. I'm sure that if anyone responds to this, someone is going to remind me that it's an old, obsolete piece of hardware that would better be a boat anchor ... and I won't argue with that, but since I don't actually have a boat, and I do actually have a use for the system, I'd like to maybe improve it. It's also the satisfaction of getting what I want that drives me to try to do that, rather than just breaking down and buying a new system.

The system is running Win 7 Home Premium Service Pack 1. I don't know how much RAM I could bump it up to, but 8 would be better than 4, and 16 better than 8, and so on. The problem is that I don't know what is could replace the current memory (see 1st paragraph up there) in a plug it in and go sense. I found this Patriot Signature 8 GB (2 x 4GB) PC2-6400 DDR2-800 SoDIMM Dual Channel Laptop Memory Kit - PSD28G800SK on Amazon and I'd probably buy it if it'll work ... does anyone who understands this stuff know if it will?

And if someone can point me to a good place to learn more about what all the hieroglyphics mean, that'd be cool too.

Thanks ... seriously ... thanks!

PhilZ

 

[burdenbound]

DDR2 memory is outdated and costs way more than it should now. Do not spend more than $40 on 8GB of RAM on a kitchen computer. Your best bet to make that system come alive would be to drop an SSD into it.

 

[philz]

DDR2 memory is outdated and costs way more than it should now. Do not spend more than $40 on 8GB of RAM on a kitchen computer. Your best bet to make that system come alive would be to drop an SSD into it.

Hi burdenbound ... 1st, thank you for responding (and in like, 1 minute or so). Impressive as all heck.

So 2nd, knowing (I think) that RAM is generally faster than SSD in terms of moving bits and bytes around, is it only the high cost of the RAM that makes you think the cost is too high?

And 3rd ... even with an SSD drive installed, isn't the system still going to try to swap (or page, is that the same thing) out to the RAM first, and only when the RAM's full, or whatever, then get it out to the SSD drive?

 

[USAFRet]

For this 'upgrade of the kitchen PC'...how much do you want to spend?
Hint: 16GB of WHATEVER is far too much for this use.

What are the rest of the parts? Given a rational parts list, 4GB should be FINE.
When was the last time the OS was reinstalled?

 

[iRon_Man22]

I really have NO idea how to read memory and/or cpu specs, so please be kind. A friend gave me an old (I don't know how old) Dell "studio" laptop with 4G of RAM (speccy identifies it as "4.00GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 398MHz (6-6-6-18)" I haven't opened the case yet, but I'm thinking that configuration consists of two 2G memory modules.

I actually like the system for what I use it for. Nothing "heavy", just a kitchen table thing for doing quick lookups and the like. Because multiple people are using it though, it seems to spend a lot of time swapping data and/or apps around, and I suspect at least some of that is because of a lack of sufficient memory. I'm sure that if anyone responds to this, someone is going to remind me that it's an old, obsolete piece of hardware that would better be a boat anchor ... and I won't argue with that, but since I don't actually have a boat, and I do actually have a use for the system, I'd like to maybe improve it. It's also the satisfaction of getting what I want that drives me to try to do that, rather than just breaking down and buying a new system.

The system is running Win 7 Home Premium Service Pack 1. I don't know how much RAM I could bump it up to, but 8 would be better than 4, and 16 better than 8, and so on. The problem is that I don't know what is could replace the current memory (see 1st paragraph up there) in a plug it in and go sense. I found this Patriot Signature 8 GB (2 x 4GB) PC2-6400 DDR2-800 SoDIMM Dual Channel Laptop Memory Kit - PSD28G800SK on Amazon and I'd probably buy it if it'll work ... does anyone who understands this stuff know if it will?

And if someone can point me to a good place to learn more about what all the hieroglyphics mean, that'd be cool too.

Thanks ... seriously ... thanks!

PhilZ

What is your Laptop's exact make/model? SKU or model number?

To understand RAM better and what those numbers mean, see this page for details.

First of all, 4 GB for a laptop is plenty if all you are doing is surfing the web, watching videos, or letting the kids do homework. I suggest that you think about doing a fresh install of your operating system (Windows 7, Windows 8 or 10?), chances are your computer is bogged down by a lot of bloatware, apps/programs, and maybe spyware that is making it slow. Save all the pictures and documents that are important, make note of all of the important software you have on the computer (to remember what to reinstall later) then I would wipe your hard drive and do a complete reinstall of Windows. If that doesn't work, you might want to consider an SSD as @burdenbound mentioned. DDR2 RAM is obsolete, but depending on the motherboard of the laptop, that may the only type of RAM it supports.

 

[SkyNetRising]

The system is running Win 7 Home Premium Service Pack 1. I don't know how much RAM I could bump it up to, but 8 would be better than 4, and 16 better than 8, and so on.

BTW - if you have 32bit OS on your computer, you can't use more than 4GB of ram.

 

[philz]

iRon ... the actual model number is a Dell PP31L, and it's called a Studio 1737

SkyNetRising ... it's the 64 bit version according to Control Panel -> System and Security -> System so I guess it is upgradable to at least 8G

USAFRet ... I get your point about 16G being far too much but out of curiosity, cost aside, isn't more of almost anything better than less? As long as it physically sits in the slot, and the BIOS recognizes it and it works ... why wouldn't someone want to max it out?

Last question, because I just want to know the answer .... in my first post, I asked if the Patriot Signature 8 GB (2 x 4GB) PC2-6400 DDR2-800 SoDIMM Dual Channel Laptop Memory Kit - PSD28G800SK could be a straight plug-in replacement for the currently installed "4.00GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 398MHz (6-6-6-18)". Still curious about that.

And all y'all ...can't thank you enough for the answers and I even more appreciate you making me be careful with my money 🙂 I think I'll start by doing the reinstall that iRon suggested, and then perhaps looking into an SSD ... I'm sure I could find a place to use it somewhere on something in the house <grin>

Phil

 

[USAFRet]

why wouldn't someone want to max it out?

Extra money for no real purpose. Or putting a $1000 CPU in a PC for an 11 year old to play Minecraft. Or an office PC, and recommending dual bluray drives, just because they fit.

Sure, you can. But why would you?
You want a balanced system, designed for the purpose.

 

[SkyNetRising]

model number is a Dell PP31L, and it's called a Studio 1737

That model supports max 8GB of ram.