Laptop Memory

Heya people, Im lookin at adding ram to my laptop. currently, im at 512 and while looking at what I should get, I came across a couple questions.

1 gb vs 2? it costs around 100 or more dollars per 1gb, but is it worth it? I use my laptop for Guildwars(duh), Visual Studio programming, and maybe some 3D Studio max here pretty soon. also, might be getting into Audio/Video editing stuff. What i need to know is is the 2 gig really worth it? or will going from 512 to 1g be just fine and give a significant performance jump? I may even get around to runing vista....but from what i have heard about that, i might just decide to wait.

I have a HP Pavillion 6100, in the 6000 series. 128 dedicated Vram, 512 system, 64bit amd athalon 3200 2ghz, XP Professional OS.

Going here: http://www.corsairmemory.com/corsair...h_results.html
i got this: Corsair 1GB PC2700 DDR SODIMM Memory

Being a cheapass, and as well not wanting to order online, I looked and found this nearby: http://shop1.outpost.com/product/438...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG

So, does that memory look like it will work? and is kingston decent memory, or the sort that fries whenever it doesnt like whatever is going on?

And lastly,
I assume my laptop has 2X256 to make the 512...if i just buy 1gb, and leave one of the 256 in (it has 2 slots) is that workable? iv never heard of a comp having 1.25 gigs of memory, but why not?


Thanks, all who read this. Also, if you disagree with someone, please dont just say thats dumb. say WHY. that is much more helpful to me and anyone reading this

Edit, Kaguya made me tthink to mention this. there will be not much vid editing, just some classwork.

For 3Ds and audio/video editing you will want as much RAM as possible, so for those purposes, I'd sacrifice the money to get that RAM. And yes, if you ever plan to run Windows Vista, that memory won't be useless, the OS itself eats quite a chunk.

Kingston is (imo) quality memory, they usually come with a lifetime warranty, and out of some 500 Kingston ram chips we have here at work, none have failed

About the compatibility, I don't know. I couldn't find the specs for the computer, and HP has some occasional compatibility issues. Tho, you can always return the memory if they don't work, and try another one.

I pretty much completely agree with what Kaguya said. When it comes to games after you hit the 1GB mark its more dependant on your GPU and to a lesser extent your CPU. However to get into Video/Audio/Image editing, especially in 3D then the more RAM the better.

Windows Vista isn't as bad as you may think. I'm sitting on it right now and I currently have 1.5GB installed. According to task manager I have about 1.0GB free. This is with Outlook, Winamp, IE 7.0 (4 tabs), and several background processes all running.

Bottom line, if you can afford it then go for it. At the very least you'll be making the system more future proof.

ok, that seems to cover it. but, the 1gig +256 in the 2 slots, is that a viable option?

Ok this is the thing...
Its a laptop not a desktop.
If you truly want video editing or whatever get a desktop.
In video editing your video card and VRAM is what is important. Yes RAM is important but between 1gb and 2gb I would choose the most cost effective. Unless your running gw, and rending some video I doubt that you'll even touch 1.256gb of ram. Even if you do those 2 things it will be lagcity because of your VRAM and the CPU usage. RAM isn't the magical stick to make everything ok, its only part of the equation. Increasing your ram to 2.256gb is overkill.
Just wanted to rant a bit :P
ook answering your question: yes its possible. 1gb + 256mb. Make sure your RAM is compatible for you computer yes? :P

1.25gb ram is plenty. even on a laptop. save the extra money for beer and pizza.

heh methinks i will.
and a gig stick seems like a good jump from 512

thanks all

and, mods please dont close. this is something i would like to hear peoples input to, even after iv upgraded.