A question for all you computer nerds...

[andyman2487]

I'm looking to upgrade the RAM in my laptop. I have an HP pavilion zd8000 which currently has 1 gig of ram (2 X 512) and I'd like to have 2 gigs (2 X 1). I have it narrowed down to these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010260381+1309121117+1052508081&name=4

The question is: what do I want? PC4200 or PC5300? Any advantage of one over the other? Here's some info on my system:

http://www.laptopmemoryupgrade.com/memory/HewlettPackardPavilionzd8000Memory.html

I have a 3.2 Ghz P4 if that changes anything. Thanks.

[StereoInstaller1]

Fastest that will fit, IMO.

[andyman2487]

The question is: what do I want? PC4200 or PC5300? Any advantage of one over the other?

I'm out of the loop on computer shit. What is the difference between the two? What the hell does PC4200/PC5300 even mean?

[s0urce]

Go with Crucial Memory.

This is what you want:

http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=803EC444A5CA7304

# Module Size: 2GB kit (1GBx2)
# Package: 200-pin SODIMM
# Feature: DDR2 PC2-4200
# Specs: DDR2 PC2-4200 • CL=4 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR2-533 • 1.8V • 128Meg x 64

[Addissimo]

I'm out of the loop on computer shit. What is the difference between the two? What the hell does PC4200/PC5300 even mean?

In layman's terms, its just the speed at which the ram interfaces with the system bus. Frequency (MHz) doesn't mean its better. If your laptop only supports PC4200, then 5300 will offer no increase in speed. You generally want the lowest latency (cas (CL)) that you can find, as this to a certain point, affects the system speed moreso than the frequency.

-Addis

[1991 318is]

http://www.notebookreview.com/assets/3912.jpg
Specs from the machine.

[scabzzzz]

Like addisimo said. The memory is only going to operate as fast as the system is designed to read and write to it. So if you put faster ram in, the ram will operate slower than its capable of operating but will work. Buy the crucial ram like someone said above. Cheap ram = cheap degrading performance over time. And troubleshooting RAM issues sucks because its always the last thing it seems to be.