Laptop RAM options

[bobbytb]

Im looking at upgrading my laptop RAM which is currently at 4GB (2x2GB). Its an old lenovo laptop and supports upto 8GB max. Ive looked at offerings from takealot and esquire and they range considerably in price, from R455 to R797 for a 4gb stick.

Ive never previously had any problems with RAM - so I wonder if there is there a noticeable difference between all these models other than clock speed and branding? Which cheap one would you recommend.

Im currently thinking of going with the Patriot 4GB DDR3 1333 for R460.00 from takealot.com

Is the kingston offered by Esquire any better than the patriot?

 

[bobbytb]

Crazy idea - since the laptop supports a max of 8gb, can i just buy a stick of 8gb memory and stick it in there?

 

[Sysem]

Check how many slots you have first. You'll probably only have 2 (both already taken), so when upgrading, you'll need to get 2 of those 4GB sticks.

 

[bobbytb]

Check how many slots you have first. You'll probably only have 2 (both already taken), so when upgrading, you'll need to get 2 of those 4GB sticks.

Yes, there are only two slots and Im now looking at replacing both 2GB sticks with 4GB sticks to bring it upto 8GB total.

 

[Sysem]

Yes, there are only two slots and Im now looking at replacing both 2GB sticks with 4GB sticks to bring it upto 8GB total.

Yeah, you can buy just a one 8GB stick. But, and someone can correct me if I'm wrong, I think 2 4GB sticks of the same work better? You can use the 2 in dual channel mode as apposed to a single 8GB stick. Not sure what the increase in performance is like.

 

[bobbytb]

Yeah, you can buy just a one 8GB stick. But, and someone can correct me if I'm wrong, I think 2 4GB sticks of the same work better? You can use the 2 in dual channel mode as apposed to a single 8GB stick. Not sure what the increase in performance is like.

I think you're right, I hadn't thought of that - dual channel mode both slots can be used simultaneously and improve throughput to the memory. Thanks!

 

[CamiKaze]

You can use the 2 in dual channel mode as apposed to a single 8GB stick.

This.

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/arti...ple-and-Quad-Channel-Memory-Architectures/133

 

[bobbytb]

This.
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/arti...ple-and-Quad-Channel-Memory-Architectures/133

Thanks! I'll probably go for the patriot 2x4GB sticks then.

 

[Al P]

You need a 64 bit OS to take advantage of 8Gb, otherwise you're wasting your money.

 

[bobbytb]

You need a 64 bit OS to take advantage of 8Gb, otherwise you're wasting your money.

OS is already 64bit. I tested the lenovo laptop with 8gb last weekend - pulled out 2x4gb sticks from my macbook and stuck them in there for a few hours - noticed a significant performance bump. Im just not sure what brand to buy - or if there was any significant difference between the various brands, which is what this post was for.

 

[Franna]

Would rather get a SSD hard drive upgrade than RAM. Going from 4GB to 8GB is hardly going to make a difference.

 

[bobbytb]

Would rather get a SSD hard drive upgrade than RAM. Going from 4GB to 8GB is hardly going to make a difference.

I agree with the SSD recommendation, however this isn't my primary machine - Its a backup machine that I mostly use to run vmware images, so it would make a difference in terms of how much mem I can allocate to the guest OSes.

 

[ponder]

I would buy the Kingston Value Ram for R449.

 

[bobbytb]

I would buy the Kingston Value Ram for R449.

Thanks, ponder. Are you referring to the kingston from esquire? Is the kingston ram better in any way?

 

[ponder]

Thanks, ponder. Are you referring to the kingston from esquire? Is the kingston ram better in any way?

I think so as I'm looking at the first pic.

Thing is I'm purely going on price, more expensive ram in a laptop is not gonna get you better performance (anyway the kingston is 1600MHz vs the 1333Mhz you are looking at but that all depends on what your laptop supports). If the warranty is the same why bother with higher priced ram that does not give you any performance advantage?

 

[bobbytb]

Thing is I'm purely going on price, more expensive ram in a laptop is not gonna get you better performance

Esquire don't include vat on their promos, so it's actually around R512 for a stick of Kingston, hence my reason for going with the patriot ram.

 

[ponder]

Esquire don't include vat on their promos, so it's actually around R512 for a stick of Kingston, hence my reason for going with the patriot ram.

Then go for it.

 

[bobbytb]

Then go for it.

Thanks!

 

[bobbytb]

Update: I ended up going with Kingston from Esquire instead. Read reviews / compatibility online and their RAM seemed better than the patriot. Esquire also sell Adata at the same price as the Patriot, which I initially ordered but they're out of stock right now. In addition to the ram, I also ordered a hp microserver and a gfx card from them. I know I'll probably end up buying more stuff when I go pick up my order.

Oh well, there goes my weekend.