PC3200 SODIMM's & Some other Questions

NAiLs · Post by **NAiLs** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 3:26 am

I'm looking to upgrade my laptop's memory. It has 2x 256MB of PC3200 DDR, but that isn't enough, as Windows sucks up ~300MB on start. Besides that, I have a 64MB Mobility 9700 that obviously shares memory with the system. I do play games on here, like CS:S, WoW, and Dawn of War. Hell, I was playing Dawn of War this past weekend and a system with 1GB of PC2700 RAM and a much slower CPU (XP 2000+) loaded the game faster than mine, and it stressed my CPU out more, putting it at like 69*C for one game. That other system has a GeForce 2 also...

I've been thinking of getting atleast one 1GB stick soon, but don't have a clue what to get. I've been looking at say Kingston, but they aren't making 1GB sticks of PC3200 SODIMM's b/c of part shortages. I'm not in a super hurry, so this isn't a big deal right now. I would, however, like to get this in the very near future.

So, with that 1GB stick, I'll have 1280MB Of RAM, but not sure if they'll be the most compatible.

So, what brands out there are good, but don't cost an arm and a leg? I'd rather not spend more than $200-250 per stick.

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Also, would it be any benefit if I got a 128 Mobility 9700 to replace it with my 64MB version? I know I can get a 256MB 9800, but those go for in excess of $300+, which is too much for me currently.

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One other thing. My laptop uses a regular P4 CPU. It's a 2.8GHz w/ HT - 800MHz FSB, and I know this notebook comes with a 3.2GHz also. Can I just change it out, or are these installed differently compared to a desktop PC? If so, is it worth it to bump 400Mhz?

Thanks!

infinitevalence · Post by **infinitevalence** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 1:14 pm

My guess is that any 1gb will work for you, i would suggest you stick with something brandname.

As for the vid card update, thats your call if you think you can upgrade yours and sell it then it may be worth while but i dont think you will see that much of an improvement.

When it comes to the cpu chances are that you have a northwood p4 if you were to upgrade now it would be to a prescott p4 and i dont think you want that kind of heat in any laptop. so i would stick with the 2.8

NAiLs · Post by **NAiLs** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 9:05 pm

What brand memory? I was searching dealtime and see some Corsair for like $260 a stick. Pretty expensive if you ask me. I was hoping to grab some Kingston, but again, they're not making their 1GB modules due to shortage of parts.

infinitevalence · Post by **infinitevalence** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 9:27 pm

well its 225 a stick, which is about right for any 1gb so-dimm as they are small and expencive to make, plus they get the mobile premium attached.

http://legitreviews.dealtime.com/xPC-Co ... id-3032920

NAiLs · Post by **NAiLs** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 9:30 pm

What's the difference between the Value Select and the System Select from Corsair that makes a $40 increase between the two?

Corsair System Select

vs

Corsair Value Select

I like that CAS 2.5 on the Value Select though. Most others that I find are 3.

Post by **Apoptosis** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 10:13 am

Good eye on the CAS Latency on the memory there Nails. Most notebooks don't let you change the settings so you are stuck at CL 2.5 or 3.

Did you by chance ever see this article?
http://www.legitreviews.com/article.php?aid=156

Kingston Value Select 1GB CL3 Module: $340

Corsair System Select PC-3200 1GB Module Built for certain notebooks to fit height requirements.
This is why it is called "System Select" and priced a bit higher: $263

Corsair Value Select PC3200 1GB CL3 Module: $225

Cheapest CL2.5 Module Seen:

PQI 200-Pin 1GB DDR SODIMM PC-3200, Model MD421GUOE
Priced @ $193.83

Once again PQI is $31 cheaper than Corsair's Value Select and comes with CL2.5 timings over CL3 timings. It comes down to brand loyality and how much you want to spend.

I went with 2 x 512mb memory modules on my notebook since 1GB's cost so much darn money. The cheapest 1GB module is $194 while the cheapest 512MB modules are $74 for PQI making 2 modules for a gig only $148... another $46 saved from a single 1GB module.

NAiLs · Post by **NAiLs** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 12:43 pm

Ah... back to PQI!

Yeah... I want to eventually upgrade to 2GB of memory in this beast, just for the fact that I use a lot of modern games on it. I'll eventually get ATI's top end video card for the system, since it seems like they're done with AGP for notebooks...?

That's MUCH cheaper though! I'll pay $200 a stick rather than excess of $250+. Plus, your timings are better on that PQI.

Thanks for the help once again, Nate & inf!

NAiLs · Post by **NAiLs** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 9:06 pm

infinitevalence wrote:When it comes to the cpu chances are that you have a northwood p4 if you were to upgrade now it would be to a prescott p4 and i dont think you want that kind of heat in any laptop. so i would stick with the 2.8

I went ahead and double checked CPU-Z. CPU-Z reports a Prescott 90nm CPU.

What do you think?

Post by **Apoptosis** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 9:21 pm

That is an Intel Pentium 4 Prescott 2.8E Processor with the memory running at DDR400 w/ 3-3-3-8 timings.

infinitevalence · Post by **infinitevalence** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 10:53 pm

In that case you could see a small performance gain from switching to a new cpu, or even better if you can get a 3.0ghz northwood and then get better performance and better thermals.

NAiLs · Post by **NAiLs** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 11:12 pm

I take it the Northwood and Prescott CPU's are the same socket? Also, the Northwood performs better than the Prescott?

**Excuse my questioning on this. I haven't looked at an Intel CPU in 3 years!!

LVCapo · Post by **LVCapo** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 6:35 am

Both are socket 478 (Prescotts are also socket 775)
The Northwoods for the most part are better overclockers, simply because they run much cooler than Prescott's. Most applications don't show improvement using all the extra pipes on the Prescott, more than a year after its release.
Themain difference is the extra pipelines on the Prescott, the 1MB of L2 cache, and the thermal properties, but with a good overclock on a NW, you can ovcercome any performance benefits these give the Prescott.