my vaio VGN-A397XP and GeIL RAM

[RyanNicon]

Hi guys a nother can my lapy work with thread.


so can my lapy work with 2X GeIL 512MB Golden Dragon RAM

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/GeIL_SO_DIMM.html

thanks

[seb21__]

You don't need to buy overlocker RAM. Because there are no RAM settings in the BIOS. It would be useless.

I would use RAM from CRUCIAL

http://www.crucial.com

They works fine and there are no compatibility problems.

[Stephanius]

What is imporant when buying memory is that you buy compatible memory modules. Compatibiliy is not a matter of this brand or that, but of the technical specfications of the memory and the form factor of the module.

Your unit requires DDR2 533MHz memory on modules that are made specifically for notebooks - its much more useful if it physically fits the socket ;-]

DDR2 400MHz is cheaper and compatible with your notebook's chipset.

http://www.vaio-link.com/tutorials/memory/memory.asp?m=1806&l=en&ts=p60

[RyanNicon]

You don't need to buy overlocker RAM. Because there are no RAM settings in the BIOS. It would be useless.

I would use RAM from CRUCIAL

http://www.crucial.com

They works fine and there are no compatibility problems.

sould i get 2X 512 and get rid of the sony one or should i just buy 1

[Stephanius]

sould i get 2X 512 and get rid of the sony one or should i just buy 1

Whatever you prefer. Your unit can use up to 2GB, so getting one 1GB module would have the advantage of leaving you free to upgrade to 2GB later, and would obviously give you 1.5GB memory right now using the original 512MB plus 1GB new memory.

A 512MB module will be cheaper, it is likley to cost less than half of what a 1GB module will cost.

[RyanNicon]

humm i don't know if i will use 2GB i use 1GB in my main computer.
do laptops use the RAM more as it has a slow hard drive?

[seb21__]

 do laptops use the RAM more as it has a slow hard drive?

No. Not more than in your main computer. Windows uses the swap file on the HDD every time. You could deactivate this, but it's not everytime useful. And it's only useful if you have more than 1 GB RAM.

1GB should be enough, IMO. Unless you work with really big files in Photoshop or you make Videoediting. 512MB are the minimum for a Windows XP system since Service Pack 2. If you want upgrate to Windows Longhorn next year, then 1 GB should be the minimum.

I think it would be a good idea, to buy one 1GB SO-Dimm. Because you have the other slot free, if you want upgrate to 2GB.

But you have an A-series VAIO. If I'm think right, then one RAM slot is under the keyboard. That is slot 1. If you use only one so-dimm, then you must use this one. Because your VAIO should be slower, if the second slot is full but the first is empty.

BTW: 2GB RAM is the maximum size which Windows XP can handle.

[RyanNicon]

i think my laptop has dual channel (ram) how much faster should it make it say if its 1gb or 2X 512mb will i see any difference?

and i make web sites and admin stuff on it so night butnot too hight i'v been over the 1GB but then it just uses hard drive space as ram as this does't happen much i think i'll stick to 1GB unless it a good price and if i won't see much speed differentce running in dual mode.

[seb21__]

The dual channel technology doubles the bandwidth of the RAM.

533MHz * 2 = 1066MHz

But the problem is that the FSB of your CPU is only 533MHz. That's why dual channel isn't much efficient in a Centrino laptop. You would need a CPU like the Pentium Extreme Edition to get the full speed.

[RyanNicon]

so really the dual channel on this laptop is usless lol

ok thanks :smileygrin: