Seeking (hoping for) offline computer advice

[Harlesden]

If anyone who is very knowledgeable about RAM sticks and is interested in advising a novice please PM me. Need to upgrade from 2GB to 4GB and scared of buying the wrong sticks. Also a little worried because it is definitely a desktop computer but the RAM recommended by crucial.com is described by big eBay sellers as laptop memory in their listings.

(The prices quoted by crucial.com seem too steep)
http://www.crucial.com/uk/systemscanner/viewscanbyid.aspx?id=A7EA856631D926C3

 

[Zoidberg]

Original reply deleted - it was not helpful after I re-read the original post.

The PC requires DDR2 DIMM memory. Laptop memory will likely be SODIMM memory.

The PC supports the following memory (as per the HP website):

PC2-4200 (533 MHz)
PC2-5300 (667 MHz)
PC2-6400 (800 MHz)

If you are buying to maximise the memory the PC can take, best buy two 2GB sticks of the same speed memory - but if the config is already a single 2GB stick, buy another of the same speed (the Crucial scanner is not infallible).

I hope this helps you.

 

[yorkie]

HP - Compaq Pavilion Slimline s3230.uk Desktop/PC, according to the link.

It's not laptop memory!

 

[maniacmartin]

The price is about right for the product they recommend. I'm not sure you'll notice the difference in speed between PC2-8500 and DDR2 PC2-6400 in that machine so you could save some cash by buying slower DIMMs (click the Show all Compatible button).

Crucial offer a guarantee whereby they will refund if the memory they recommend doesn't work in your machine, so I wouldn't worry too much. I'd avoid ebay sellers for memory as the quality can be variable. Bad RAM can make your computer crash (blue screen of death) if it causes minor corruptions to data.

 

[Harlesden]

Wow. Thanks for the responses so far and maniacmartin's PM question already answered by yorkie

 

[maniacmartin]

but if the config is already a single 2GB stick

I think it's likely to have 2x 1GB sticks.

 

[soil]

The specs for your PC are here:

http://h20565.www2.hp.com/portal/si...x.portlet.endCacheTok=com.vignette.cachetoken

(I'm assuming there is no variation on this PC)

Your CPU operates at 2.3GHz, which is equivalent to 11.5x the bus/hypertransport speed of 200 MHz.

According to HP your motherboard supports PC2-4200, PC2-5300 and PC2-6400, which run at speeds of 266MHz, 333MHz, 400MHz (undoubled) respectively.

All of these products would in fact run at 200MHz on your PC, so there is no difference at all in speed. The faster RAM is useful if you were to overclock your PC, but you aren't going to (I'm not sure if the motherboard even supports it), so it's irrelevant.

The motherboard itself is an Asus model

http://h20565.www2.hp.com/portal/si...x.portlet.endCacheTok=com.vignette.cachetoken

If you are not running the latest BIOS, version 5.18 (you can check by pressing delete when the computer first starts up) you might like to update your BIOS

http://h20565.www2.hp.com/portal/si...=en&cc=us&sp4ts.oid=3628028&swItem=pv_65083_2

This should improve compatibility with any new RAM modules.

Anyway, I would buy something like this:

http://www.ebuyer.com/142403-crucial-4gb-ddr2-800mhz-memory-ct2kit25664aa800

£50 with free delivery.

 

[tony_mac]

It's a little cheaper directly from Crucial - and they guarantee compatibility.

http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=4FF8842DA5CA7304

Personally, I would be tempted to buy them from ebay for nearer £30 - but only something branded like Crucial; I've found that cheap memory very often fails eventually. (e.g. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271288455646)

 

[Harlesden]

Great response, soil. Thank you so much and to the other guys who responded.
Only one more question.
Best place to take the desktop to get the RAM sticks swapped over. I got my laptop down a few years ago at PC World opposite Warren Street Station but not sure if they still do on-the-spot things.

 

[maniacmartin]

Great response, soil. Thank you so much and to the other guys who responded.
Only one more question.
Best place to take the desktop to get the RAM sticks swapped over. I got my laptop down a few years ago at PC World opposite Warren Street Station but not sure if they still do on-the-spot things.

Do it yourself. It's really easy for desktops, and much cheaper.

1. Unplug the keyboard, mouse, monitor etc and move the computer somewhere accessible
2. Plug the computer into the mains, but leave it switched off at the wall. This will mean that the case is grounded, and you can touch the case to discharge any static electricity buildup you may have, to avoid damaging the components
3. Remove wolly jumpers and anything that can cause static electricity
4. Remove side of case. Usually this involves 2 screws at the back, and then the side will slide off. Usually this is the left hadn side as viewed from the front of the computer, except Dells that are back to front.
5. Press the tabs on each side of the memory sticks to release them. They will pop out
6. Place new sticks in, getting the orientation correct (they are keyed so only fit one way. Press firmly and evenly so they pop in
7. Reassemble case, and you're good to go

 

[soil]

Great response, soil. Thank you so much and to the other guys who responded.
Only one more question.
Best place to take the desktop to get the RAM sticks swapped over. I got my laptop down a few years ago at PC World opposite Warren Street Station but not sure if they still do on-the-spot things.

I am the most cack-handed DIY doofus ever, you don't need to take the desktop anywhere, just do it yourself, I do.

There's three standard Philips screws on the back, unscrew them and remove the cover, the RAM is inside and they are clipped in with clips on each side, you push the clips down and the RAM pops up so you can remove it. Insert the new RAM and push down on the RAM and the clips will lock in place.

The most time consuming part of it is unscrewing the screws.

PC manual

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c00877796.pdf

Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2EC4BxtBSY

 

[tony_mac]

if it's a slimline case, it may not be quite so easy to get to the ram slots.

e.g., (for a 3130 you need to remove the dvd drive)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFyeXvqkAMU