Upgrading RAM

[trinket 30]

I bought a new cheap laptop, basically bought it for my dad, but he didn’t like the idea of a laptop so he got my older (much better) PC and handed me over the laptop, its COMPAQ C700.

Anyways, its VISTA enabled, 120gb HDD but got only 512mb ram. So naturally the speed is not worthy talking about.

Anyways, I can either get another 512mb ram and put it with the extra RAM slot and make it of 1 GB, or I can get a new 2 gb ram. I am not much of a gamer so gaming isn’t my need for now BUT with how the visa process is going on, I think I should have my interview by November, so its another few months only, and if things go all good and I start living with my husband for good thent I do plan to just let him use this lappy and he is a big video gamer.

Ok, long story short, what should I do? Get only 512mb ram for now and then upgrade it again once I come to US to 2 GB? Or upgrade it to 2 GB right away.

Buying a 512mb ram will cost me $30 where as a 2 GB would cost me $120, so can I get a better deal of RAM in US or is it better here in India is my question.

[Dan J 277]

I bought a new cheap laptop, basically bought it for my dad, but he didn’t like the idea of a laptop so he got my older (much better) PC and handed me over the laptop, its COMPAQ C700.

Anyways, its VISTA enabled, 120gb HDD but got only 512mb ram. So naturally the speed is not worthy talking about.

Anyways, I can either get another 512mb ram and put it with the extra RAM slot and make it of 1 GB, or I can get a new 2 gb ram. I am not much of a gamer so gaming isn’t my need for now BUT with how the visa process is going on, I think I should have my interview by November, so its another few months only, and if things go all good and I start living with my husband for good thent I do plan to just let him use this lappy and he is a big video gamer.

Ok, long story short, what should I do? Get only 512mb ram for now and then upgrade it again once I come to US to 2 GB? Or upgrade it to 2 GB right away.

Buying a 512mb ram will cost me $30 where as a 2 GB would cost me $120, so can I get a better deal of RAM in US or is it better here in India is my question.

If you are running vista on the laptop, to get any kind of performance, you need to have 2GB. Windows XP on the other hand is fine with 1 GB.

You might be able to get a better deal here, but it depends what kind of ram your laptop supports. Buying directly from the laptop maker is usually the more expensive option.

[Ban Hammer 14,037]

i'd suggest the 2 gb, as you've got it maxed out then. the current 512 you have and another 512, if you bought it, wouldn't do you any good if you later on decided to max it out. and 2 gb for 120 sounds a bit high but not bad. it all depends on the type in requires. check out tigerdirect.com and see what is listed for prices.

[trinket 30]

Yes its kind of high, I live kind of far off from Mainland India, so prices are high for everything out here. Buying online isn't an option for me right now and VISTA is all I am getting these days. I tried for XP laptop but there were none, even if I change it to XP, I still will need VISTA drivers.

So I guess I will just get a 2 GB one.

[Marilyn. 340]

if you are only using your laptop for basic stuff you only need the 1 gb.. that is what I have on my computer ...

now if you are doing a lot of gaming and video editing etc.. you would need more RAM....

for me personally I would stick with buying the 512mb and when you get here I would upgrade it if you want.. might find a better deal here anyways...

Edited August 13, 2008 by *Marilyn*

[Ban Hammer 14,037]

found this site:

link

from what i get out of it, you probably have 2 x 256 mb chips.

[trinket 30]

One question, if I do decide to upgrade it once I come to US, do they take money for installing it in my laptop or since I am buying from the electronic shop so they will just do it for free in that same electronic shop?

At least that's what happens out here in India, I will just have to pay for the product not their services.

[Marilyn. 340]

not sure how it works with a laptop but it was pretty easy to install RAM myself on my desktop computer...

Edited August 13, 2008 by *Marilyn*

[trinket 30]

I do think I have only one 512mb chip, because I did talk with the shopkeeper and he said I will need only one 512mb to upgrade it to 1gb or I can buy two 1gb chips or I can buy a single 2 gb chip.