Currently have 2 x 512 sticks... with Vista Home Premium.

Looking to buy some extra memory from Crucial. They have 2Gb sticks at virtually the same price as a 2 x 1Gb kit. Based on the whole dual channel malarky; would 2 x 1Gb be be better than 2.5Gb made up of the 2Gb and an existing 512Mb?

Thanks. Luke.

It partly depends on what your laptop supports.

I'd say that 2*1GB is fairly safe, but a number of machines didn't support the 2GB devices at one point.

According to Crucial it'll support the 2Gb single stick... or a 4Gb, 2 x 2Gb kit too.

PS - I've got OpenOffice!!

If it was me and your machine supports the 2GB sticks get 2 * 2GB if the price is not too bad.

I don't know that many laptops use dual channel memory, but regardless of the issues around that 1*2GB would probably help a good amount and 2*2GB would obviously help a lot.

You really need to find out which chipset you have and work out if the motherboard needs RAM in pairs, can work with single sticks etc.

Use the crucial mem tool on their site

Use the crucial mem tool on their site

I've used it in the past... usually browsing from a different machine than what the memory is intended for thats all! But I'll give it a whirl...

Downloading the scanner... dun dun der...

Results:

Acer Aspire 5050

• Maximum Memory Capacity: 4096MB
  
• Currently Installed Memory: 0MB
  
• Available Memory Slots: 2
  
• Number of Banks: 2
  
• Dual Channel Support: Yes
  
• CPU Manufacturer: AuthenticAMD
  
• CPU Family: AMD Turion 64 Mobile Technology MK-38 Model 12, Stepping 2
  
• CPU Speed: 1600 MHz
  

Currently there's 1Gb in it!!

2Gb stick is £18.39.

Edit - Crucial do 7% back through Quidco too.

2*2GB it is then

2*2GB it is then

Aye, quite possibly! Its SWMBO's laptop though so I'd better check with her first! Needs a new battery too... it died so have to run it off the mains all the time. Sigh.

Well if RAM + Batter >£399 get a new lappy from Dell perhaps?

I've seen batteries ranging from £40 s/hand on eBay to £140 new elsewhere online so should be alright. Obviously I don't want to pay £140 for one! :(

Just so you don't panic if you fit 4Gb, unless you have 64 bit windows (Vista or Xp). Windows will only see 3.5Gb you can fit it but the 0.5Gb won't be used, 32 bit software can't count that high.

Alan.

Just so you don't panic if you fit 4Gb, unless you have 64 bit windows (Vista or Xp). Windows will only see 3.5Gb you can fit it but the 0.5Gb won't be used, 32 bit software can't count that high.

Alan.

Yep yep! Thanks for the info but I'd already found that out. Makes me realise I'm paying for half a gig I can't use now... Grrr.

Cheers. Luke