Trying to upgrade my laptop memory

[Memnoch]

I figure with MTW2 coming out, I may need more than the 1GB of memory I have on my Sony VAIO VGN-S48GP 2Ghz notebook. I managed to find out that the memory I'm currently using is:

code:

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System Memory Controller

Location : Mainboard

Number of Memory Slots : 2

Bank 0 - SODIMM1 : N/A N/A N/A N/A SO-DIMM DDR-SDRAM 512MB/32 @ 100Mt/s

Bank 1 - SODIMM2 : N/A N/A N/A N/A SO-DIMM DDR-SDRAM 512MB/32 @ 100Mt/s



Chipset 1

Model : Sony Corp 82915PM/GM/GMS, 82910GML Host Bridge

Bus(es) : PCI PCIe IMB PCMCIA CardBus USB FireWire/1394 i2c/SMBus

Front Side Bus Speed : 4x 133MHz (532MHz data rate)

Maximum FSB Speed / Max Memory Speed : 4x 200MHz / 4x 133MHz

Width : 64-bit

IO Queue Depth : 12 request(s)



Memory Module 1

Manufacturer : Siemens

Model : 64T64020HDL5A

Serial Number : 0309B116

Type : 512MB DDR2-SDRAM SO-DIMM

Technology : 8x(32Mx16)

Speed : PC2-3200U

Standard Timings : 3.0-3-3-8 (tCL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS)

Version : 1.1

Date of Manufacture : Saturday, August 27, 2005

Set Timing @ 200MHz : 5.0-3-3-8 (tCL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS)

Set Timing @ 200MHz : 4.0-3-3-8 (tCL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS)

Set Timing @ 200MHz : 3.0-3-3-8 (tCL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS)



Memory Module 2

Manufacturer : Kingston

Serial Number : 6E0C10FE

Type : 512MB DDR2-SDRAM SO-DIMM

Technology : 8x(64Mx8)

Speed : PC2-4300U

Standard Timings : 4.0-4-4-12 (tCL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS)

Version : 1.0

Date of Manufacture : Saturday, July 02, 2005

Set Timing @ 267MHz : 5.0-4-4-12 (tCL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS)

Set Timing @ 267MHz : 4.0-4-4-12 (tCL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS)

Set Timing @ 200MHz : 3.0-3-3-9 (tCL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS)

[/QUOTE]Whatever this means. Anyway, the gist of what I worked out is that I need DDR2 SODIMM memory. I went to the Kingston site and their recommendation for my system is this (for 1GB memory):

1GB DDR2-533 SO DIMM - $219

Now this is pretty bloody expensive. I checked out Newegg and they have others that are 1GB DDR2 SO-DIMM which are cheaper. Here's one from Kingston themselves:

Kingston 1GB 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Notebook Memory - Retail

This one was $122. Why is this one so much cheaper and will this work on my laptop?

[Bungleau]

I don't know the numbers and differences, but you're looking at three different kinds of memory.

Your original memory is:

Memory Module 1
Manufacturer : Siemens
Type : 512MB DDR2-SDRAM SO-DIMM
Technology : 8x(32Mx16)
Speed : PC2-3200U

Your second module is:

Memory Module 2
Manufacturer : Kingston
Type : 512MB DDR2-SDRAM SO-DIMM
Technology : 8x(64Mx8)
Speed : PC2-4300U

I don't know what the "technology" means, but I do know that the identifying numbers are PC2-3200 and PC2-4300. And that they're running at whichever of those two is slowest.

I'm not sure what the number is for your first alternative, but the second one is PC2-5300 -- yet another type!

Basically, you need to find out what the recommended types are for your machine. I was unable to find that model number on the Sony site... perhaps there's a different digit in there someplace.

And I just noticed that the top of this info shows the maximum memory speed as 4x133, or 533. The PC2-5300 memory looks like it's 667, or faster than the machine supports. You may still be able to use it, but it won't run at its optimum speed.

Unfortunately, I've got more questions than answers But perhaps this helped a bit...

[Memnoch]

Clear as mud, mate - but through no fault of your own. I'm worrying about buying the wrong kind of memory - it's not cheap!

[Bungleau]

Well, let me clear a little bit then.

Based on what's already in there, you can go with PC-3200 or PC-4300 memory. They're both already working, so they're safe bets.

I took a look at Tom's Hardware to see if there were any articles on selecting memory, and sure enough, there was one. It's in that link, all lined up for you.

It contained a reference to Apacer as a place with a memory lookup utility that would tell you what you needed, and when I looked yours up, it suggested PC4200 memory, just err... almost like your second stick.

So I'd go with PC-4200... unless you feel like dancing with it a bit more.

I went and took a look at TigerDirect, and found that you can get a 1GB stick for as little as $115. I just got some of the Corsair memory for a new desktop PC and it's worked fine... it's only $5 more than the cheapest stuff by Kingmax, who I don't recognize (other than them perhaps trying to confuse people about Kingston).

I'll tell you that I've never had anything but regular shipping from TigerDirect, and everything I've ever ordered has arrived the next day. Not guaranteed, but they've got a nice track record with me [img]smile.gif[/img]

So perhaps that will clean things up a bit for you... or not [img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img]
So... give that a shot

*edit* typos...

[ 10-24-2006, 01:44 AM: Message edited by: Bungleau ]

[Memnoch]

Thanks mate. I might try that $115 memory then.

[Callum]

Or if you aren't sure, go and ask at a local Sony shop?