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noob question: dram
em411.com forums : Computers, setup : laptops and desktops for EM purposes
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04/05/08 +  Jetsom
Hi.

Sorry, I don't know if this is a stupid question.

I want to put 1gig of ram in with my 512mb and i'm searching for a ram upgrade for my specific laptop.

What is "dram"?

"Storage Capacity 1gb
Upgrade Type System specific

Memory Type DRAM <------------------------------------------ hmmm?
Technology DDR
Form Factor SODIMM
Memory Speed 266MHz
Data Integrity Check NON-ECC
RAM Features UNBUFFERED
Module Configuration 128x64
Supply Voltage 2.5V
40 squid"

Is it desktop ram? Is that different to 'normal' ram? haha
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Replies

04/05/08 +  Zanf

link
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edited: Apr 05 2008 +  Jetsom
Thank you, Zanf.

Also, just discovered that the 'D' in DRAM refers to dynamic and not desktop *blushes*

I think I've got it: I think dram is a fancy newish name for ram.

I'll email the shop with my system spec before i put the order in.
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edited: Apr 05 2008 +  Jetsom
Oops no, I was thinking of SO DIMM, not SDRAM (last question edited away).
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04/05/08 +  Zanf
do you know the make and model of the motherboard? if so, its easy to do a search for compatible ram.
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04/05/08 +  Jetsom
No, I don't.

But I've already done a net trawl based on the make and model of my pc and found I need 1Gb of the following:

1024MB, DDR, 266MHz, PC2100, SO DIMM 200pin

It seems quite straight forward. I was just worried that 'DRAM' was something other than the kind of RAM you'd buy if you wanted to upgrade the RAM of your computer. I've emailed the store now, but I'm 85% confident that it's right.
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04/05/08 +  cbit
I'm 93% confident that you should hold out until you're 86% sure ;)

its great when your computer goes faster!
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04/05/08 +  Jetsom
Yeah! Triple the ram -it will feel like a new computer

I might get second 1Gb to replace the exsisting 512Mb if this initial upgrade works out, but I suspect 1.5Gb will be more than ok for handling Live 7.
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04/05/08 +  jogn
dram manufacturers are thinking of raising prices..... buy buy buy!!
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04/06/08 +  jp
be careful with buying only a single dimm. this will most likely NOT work. usually you have to buy two dimms of exactly the same size and spec. you cannot use 1gb + 0,5gb dimms.
i'd suggest to go to a store and ask them to do it for you. there are so many different brands, specs etc. it's quite confusing. and bad ram is very annoying because it might not show that there's anything wrong at the beginning but you'll experience frequent crashes and unreliable behaviour.
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04/06/08 +  Jetsom
*Revises Zanf's 'dimms' definition again*

jp - A guy at my work mentioned that it's best to always put ram of the same size and brand into your computer (and to get Corsair, or the same brand as the brand of the ram you're going to pair it up with). Why CAN'T you use 1gb + 512mb? Is it that the risk of something going wrong is increased? Does that mean I have to get 2 x 1Gbs?

Other people tell me that buying ram is a lottery anyway (as you say, can end up with 'bad ram').

I was thinking of going to a local shop but it looked a bit expensive. The online stores that I've found selling "100% compatible" upgrade ram for my manufacturer/series/model laptop - seems you can't return it if it doesn't work out (I imagine that's standard with computer components?).

So we're saying perhaps I'm best taking a walk down to this neighbourhood shop (someone at work recommended the place to me, though it's more expensive than the online places by a good few squid, but I can live with that)? I might go there anyway cause internet shopping is a bit lonely, you know .

Hey thanks everyone! I appreciate this.
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04/06/08 +  jp
i am not totally sure but i think it has to do with multiplexing between two ram channels. that means that the memory controller uses one ram channel while the other recovers from the previous memory access. that doesn't work when the dimms are of different size. look closely at the specs of laptops: you'll never find two different dimms.
i'd recommend to pay a little bit more and have the shop change your dimms. they are then responsible for incompatible dimms and you can return them if they don't work. that will be hard if you order on the net.
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04/06/08 +  Jetsom
jp said: "i'd recommend to pay a little bit more and have the shop change your dimms"


This is the way it's going to go I think (I'm now 97% certain of this).

Awesome, thanks dude!
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