Laptop memory upgrades - are all memory cards equal?

[Superstar Punani]

I bought a basic Toshiba Satellite L25-S121 with a measly 256MB of RAM and looking to upgrade.

The shop monkley recommended this:


512MB PC3200 200pin DDR SODIMM Memory Module
Manufacturer: Centon
Mfg Part #: 512MBLT3200
Product Number: 319239
$74.99

Since I don't speak nnnNNNERRRRD, is this the same as this?

Memory 512MB DDR II for HP Notebook nc6200 nc4200
512MB 400MHz/533MHz PC2-3200 DDR2 memory module

Thank you

[runethechamp]

Generally, no, there's tons of different memory standards out there.

There might be a difference between DDR memory and DDR2 memory.

Go to dell.com or similar and they can usually tell you what will fit your lap......top.

[4matic]

I'm no techie but I work in the business. All memory is not created equally I'd advise getting the recomended memory for your computer with a guarantee that it works. Many times we have bought memory to find it incompatible with our systems.

[phattypowpow]

There are a bunch of sites out there that specialize in just memory. Most of them will just let you punch in your computer model and they'll tell you what you need. I ungraded my Dell Inspiron 8200 a few months ago to 1GB. It was around $100 from memory4less.com.

I found instructions on the web on how to replace the memory on my 8200 and the whole process took me under 10 minutes. So far, everything have been running smoothly and no problems.

[Superstar Punani]

Thanks guys! Found it on memory4less

http://www.memory4less.com/m4l_resul...delID=80016882


My 2nd n00b question is if I want to upgrade to 512, do I just buy an extra 256 and stick it in there (assuming there's an extra slot), or should I take out the existing 256 and replace with a whole new 512?

[RShea]

Your laptop has the following specifications:

http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/t...ceghdgngdgnn.0

(sorry for the long link- the same info is in the manual and all that came with the system)

It has Memory
• Configured with 256MB DDR2 SDRAM (both memory slots may be
occupied)

you need to check this - there are 2 slots and I suspect both slots are in fact in use used with a 2 128 meg meg modules from the factory- the 2nd slot should not be open or blank since this is DDR2 memory (DDR2 is done in matched pairs- 2 256 meg modules will get you 512 meg of memory, 2 512 meg modules gets you up to 1 gig of memory etc.)

The style of memory the system has is:
• 256MB(min)/2048MB (max), 2 memory slots using 256MB, PC4200
DDR2 533MHz SDRAM, dual-channel support requires two
memory modules of same capacity and clockspeed

The keys are DDR2 and the PC4200 memory speed and for a laptop SO Dimms not a desktop- DDR2 needs to be in matched pairs! You maybe able to get away with slower memory, but it should not be a dramatic price savings and the computer will run slower if the memory does work.

As for what you need, the DDR2 is the best and most compatibile (the shop monkey did not show you DDR 2 and it was at a slower speed PC3200- so get a new shop please!!)

As others have stated there are memory web sites out there both from the memory manufacturer's (like Kingston, PNY, Corsair, Centon, etc. etc. ) that will allow you to select your computer model, the amount of memory you want to get up to, and then give you the part numbers. As for other on-line web sites advertising memory be careful if you have not dealt with them before. Some sites will guarantee the memory will work in the system (and may be a few dollars higher), others will give you a generic specification and will sell generic memory (which may in fact work without issues if they know the product specs and build good memory). But with the on-line sites they will not get the memory installed- just ship it out to you. If you work with a good knowledgable local computer shop or repair person, they should be able to help you get the right stuff and provide a quote to install it if you need them too. IF they are too high on the memory quote then ask about the price for them to install the memory you purchase elsewhere.

I have not seen the inside of this Toshiba, but many have 2 slots- one on the bottom of the case which is a screw and plate covering it, 5 minutes to get it open and remove the chip (if there is one in it) and put the new one into the unit. The other memory slot many times may be under the keyboard and you have to disassemble much more to get to that one. This could be over the head of a average to below average technical person (it is doable if you know the tricks to getting the case so the keyboard can be removed.) So like I stated I have not been inside this unit and it may not require this (I'd have to read the Toshiba tech disassembly info or have a look at one) but it maybe something that you want to consider.

So you will probably be removing both the memory modules that came with the unit (unless the computer has 4 memory slots inside) and the 2 chips you buy (2- 256 meg to get to 512 meg total) will replace those. If the unit has 4 memory slots then the 2 in there stay and you can get 2 128 meg for an added 256 meg- but you will max out the expansion and then have to remove 2 modules to get anything higher (but from what I am reading the unit only has 2 slots).

[Free Range Lobster]

www.crucial.com

use their memory scanning thing

order from them

centon is decent if you don't feel like ordering online
otherwise use crucial

[RShea]

Thanks guys! Found it on memory4less

http://www.memory4less.com/m4l_resul...delID=80016882


My 2nd n00b question is if I want to upgrade to 512, do I just buy an extra 256 and stick it in there (assuming there's an extra slot), or should I take out the existing 256 and replace with a whole new 512?

See my post please... I know what I am talking about (it required research so that I did not misguide you and you posted your follow-up question during the composing of my first reply). And the link that memory4less (and the Kingston memory site too for that matter) talks about in any memory combination- again I think this is in error since the DDR2 has to be done in pairs- you can't put a 256 meg module in 1 slot and a 512 meg memory module in the other slot (that is any combination) and have it work right from all I have read on the Toshiba site.

[Superstar Punani]

Thanks again for the detailed answers.... you guys are way more useful than the office IT monkeys

[bossass]

I recommend spending a little bit more to get a name brand(Kingston, Samsung, Crucial, etc.) memory chip vs. generic.

[majortom]

www.crucial.com

use their memory scanning thing

order from them

centon is decent if you don't feel like ordering online
otherwise use crucial

I second crucial... not the cheapest but their memory is good, and with their system scanning thing you should get exactly the memory you need.

[Evil E]

Im no salesman anymore, but for about a year after college i worked for memory house in boulder at silicon mountain memory. try this site : www.siliconmountainmemory.com

if you call them and tell them youre comparing their prices to crucial they will give you a better price if they can just to get market share. Great customer service and good people with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

[G]

Here's another memory question:

My desktop has slots for three memory memory cards, currently holding a pair of pc133 @ 256 mb. I just found an old 128mb memory and plugged it into the empty slot.

Now, things are running worse!

What happened? Is there anything I can change to make the additional memory help, not hurt things? Does it matter which order the memory is installed into the slots?

[Ripzalot]

Here's another memory question:

My desktop has slots for three memory memory cards, currently holding a pair of pc133 @ 256 mb. I just found an old 128mb memory and plugged it into the empty slot.

Now, things are running worse!

What happened? Is there anything I can change to make the additional memory help, not hurt things? Does it matter which order the memory is installed into the slots?

is it even recognizing the memory? check taskmanager / performance tab.

also, if you mix slower memory with faster memory everything will downshift to the slowest memory.

[G]

Yep, the mammary is recognized and available.

How can I check the memory's speed? - It's not written on the card anywhere

[RShea]

The memory speed is usually marked on the chips, a sticker or something. Take out the memory module you installed that slowed down the computer, note the specs and post here. If it is only PC100 or slower old chip of PC 66 (not all PC 66 chips were not marked as that) then all the memory slows down to the slowest speed. The PC133 is the speed of the memory according to your post. The chip that you tried to install should have some markings on it. Let us know what those are. The 128 meg memory module will not speed up the Windows drammatically so you are better off not using it if it slows the system down. Once it is out of the computer, does the speed go back up?

[LeeLau]

Check out this deal

http://www.ca.buy.com/product.aspx?sku=202242881

ACP-EP 2GB DDR2 SDRAM Memory Module - 2GB - 667MHz DDR2-667/PC2-5300 - DDR2 SDRAM - 200-pin SoDIMM. I know the picture shows desktop RAM but it's laptop ram

I'd like to replace some PC2 -4200 667 MHZ RAM with this RAM. Would going to a faster RAM hurt the laptop? I can't think it would but just thought I'd check