Laptop RAM what speed to buy

[mikesbytes]

My son has a Compaq Presario V2000 laptop and whats me to upgrade the RAM. Inside the V2000 there are 2 standard SODIMM slots, one currently has the 256Mb ram that came with the machine.

Having looked at the pricing, it seems that I might as well by a 512Mb ram SODIMM and place it in the second slot bringing the total to 768Mb ram.

The genuine part states that it is 333MHz DDR SDRAM
http://h50025.www5.hp.com/hpcom/au_en/11_29_64_2892sna.html price is AU$150

Do I need to be picky with exactly which ram I buy? for example this store has 512M SO-Dimm DDR 2 Notebook for AU$63. Bottom middle of page 1 of this document.
http://www.msy.com.au/Parts/PARTS.pdf

[guns1inger]

It may not let you mix DDR and DDR2 together, and even if it did, it would all run at the speed of the slowest memory module, negating any benifit from purchasing DDR2. If the laptop can take DDR2, replace the lot with DDR2, or stick with DDR.

[mikesbytes]

Thanks GunS1inger, so I should get DDR not DDR2. The DDR is the same price.

I'm I correct in saying that it doesn't matter what speed the current 256Mb is (as I don't actually know) so I just buy one and the ram will run at the speed of the slowest module?

Considering that the genuine part is 333Mhz, I probably should get that speed or faster, but the machine will still run if it is slower than that.

[MJA]

I just updated an HP z2000(I think its the same like yours) I think.it took me 2 min to install .0 issues
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820155108

lol nevermind.I didn't know u live in Australia

[mikesbytes]

US$25 is a good price. Taking in the exchange rate, the price isn't a hell of a lot more in OZ. Your part was 333Mhz DDR. I think I'll get the same speed to be 100% safe.

[mikesbytes]

Dam, the place I was going to buy at is out of stock. Can I buy DDR 400Mhz or must I buy DDR 333Mhz ?

http://www.hboutlet.com.au/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=512M%20SO-Dimm%...page=1&sort=5a

[Doramius]

check your computer's specification online. Some can, but others can't.

You may be able to backwards from PC2700 to PC1600, but you'll have to check that out for sure. And these newer PCs don't mix RAM together, in other words - you may have to have same speed RAM altogether in order for it to work.

PM me and let me check what I have at home. I might have a 256MB DDR 333 laptop memory for you and for a REALLY good price if I do.

[mikesbytes]

The spec is definently for SO-DIMM DDR 333Mhz. I have derived that PC2700 is another way of saying 333Mhz.

Thanks for the offer of a 256Mb module, but my son wants 512Mb. The cost isn't that great, its just the hassle of making sure I pick up the correct one.

[Doramius]

No Problem. It's always good to do the research first. It may take a little more time than desired, but it saves on hassel and sometimes money for the certain items you can't return. :/

[INFRATOM]

as long as they compatible the speed doesn't matter the faster the better just buy the biggest size you can buy, In these days you need at least 512MB to be able to run anything.

[Doramius]

as long as they compatible the speed doesn't matter the faster the better just buy the biggest size you can buy, In these days you need at least 512MB to be able to run anything.

Speed IS part of the compatibility. The BUS has to be able to support the speed or it's not gonna work. Off timed RAM is worse than having smaller sized RAM. Had plenty of those issues before. Not planning to revisit them again.