which memory upgrade is better?

I recommand you 2x memory module, for taking the advantage of dual chanel.

BTW, for those 2GB history of the laptop, i think it's not true.

You can install 2GB of memory and share 256 memory for the video module since it's shared video with ram module.

I didn't receive my laptop yet, but i personnally ordered 2GB ram module.

Re: Dual-Channel, DDR vs. DDR2, and memory module size

highlandarx,

Besides getting the correct memory module that supports the data rates, which in the Sentia's case would mean the DDR2 PC2 5300/PC2 5400 memory modules, dual-channel memory is mainly a function of the on-board motherboard chipset (i.e., Intel® 945GM + ICH7 Chipset for the Sentia). Here's a web pdf article that describes this:

1) http://www.kingston.com/newtech/MKF_...whitepaper.pdf

Here are a couple of web pages that explain the advantages of DDR2 memory:

1) http://www.elpida.com/en/ddr2/advantage.html
2) http://www.kingston.com/newtech/ddr2...advantages.asp

If you're only going to buy one memory module, I would get the 1 GB module because you'll be able to take advantage of dual-channel when you buy the second module.

Here are some memory modules you can consider from newegg:

1) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ubCategory=381

2) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ubCategory=381

I'd consider any of the major brands like Crucial, Mushkin, Kingston, OCZ, Corsair, pqi, etc...

My laptop uses OCZ and they work.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

Re: sentia 223

highlandarx,

Your laptop chipset doesn't support dual channel. I guess folks need to qualify what machine/chipset they're speaking about in order to determine whether certain things apply or not.

Here's the Intel page that describes/compares some of the different chipsets available for laptop computers:

1) http://indigo.intel.com/compare_cpu/...&culture=en-US

You'll see that dual channel is not possible with your onboard chipset.

Nevertheless, you should still be able to upgrade your memory to larger memory modules as the link above demonstrates.

If you wanted a 1 GB module, the memory module upgrade for you would be something like this:

http://www.crucial.com/store/MPartsp...&WSPN=CT474804

Here's the list of newegg 1GB items available for your computer:

1) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ubCategory=381

Here's the list of newegg 512MB items available for your computer:

2) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ubCategory=381

It's possible that the capacity listed in your manual was written before 1GB modules were available. I have a laptop with your chipset and I've been able to update it using a 1GB module.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

i would say get 1gb module because if you decide that you eventually want to go 2gbs and have 4 512mb modules it will stress the memory and cause slow down.

nold,

Did you jump from stock 512 to the 2 gig? Seems we have very similar specs setup wise, I have the 7200 rpm hd, 2.0 c2d processor, but am running the stock 512 from AW...

I wondered when you jumped up from 512 to 2 gig did you see huge improvements in performance or anything?

I am thinking to myself this laptop JAMS right now boots up QUICK programs ZAP open, i can't even start to imagine what 2 gig vs 512 in this thing would do ram wise, altho I do use programs like photoshop so I would guess if I stopwatched it I could get the full open and ready to use time cut down, but overall with the 512 even here I am JAMMIN makin dvds, surfing the web, word, excel, photoshop even, webdesign, have messed with alot so far here, no games tho im not really a "gamer" altho I like stuff like rollercoaster tycoon so I might get that someday soon here..

I did notice your running vista vs xp even when you were on stock xp did you notice the difference betweeen 512 and 2 gig (guess im just seein this blazing at 512 so far) so i cant imagine where else i would see improvement if i add 2 gig, it just seems so fast here, except larger programs like photoshop and when I am trying to run 5 things at once, but still i watched the performance tab in task manager and it still with photoshop starting up didn't show the ram being pegged to the limit...

Just curious if you honestly did see a difference in something, i would probably stopwatch a few labor intensive things then redo it after adding 2 gig I dunno, i was gonna (and probably still will) order up 2 gig of ram but surprisingly this 512 sure seems to kick some butt on stuff I have done so far....

Bill

Re: 512MB vs. 2GB

FTLOSM,

To tell you the truth, as soon as my machine arrived, I put the new 2GB RAM modules in before turning it on (i.e., This is probably not a wise thing to do without first turning it on and making sure the machine is o.k. I don't want to encourage this practice with anyone; however, since I've been through this many times before, I did because of the urgencies concerning my current development time lines). So I can't give you my before and after impressions. I purchased this machine specifically to do development work on Windows Vista.

The machine runs smoothly with 2GB of RAM under Windows Vista and some of the sluggishness I experience is mostly because of Windows Vista and its "not ready for primetime" state. This, of course, will eventually be much better as Vista evolves and matures into "ready for purchase" commercial OS product. At this point, it's still not there.

If you use Photoshop quite a bit, there's no doubt in my mind that you'll need the memory upgrade eventually because it does like memory and it will eventually hinder your workflow especially if you want to do other things at the same time. Having said this, only you can determine this since your personal workflow and experience with your machine is usually the best judge in these matters. I use multiple instances of multiple development and debugging environments at any given moment, hence my reason for upgrading the RAM memory immediately. Otherwise, the machine would be limited and not very useful to me.

If you're not in a hurry, you can afford to let some time go by and see how the machine performs for you. I would also look for a good deal. I got my 2GB of memory for around 215 dollars including shipping and tax from TigerDirect. A few days after I received them, these same memory modules were available for 96 dollars each at newegg with a six dollar rebate for each one and "without" tax and very cheap ground shipping (i.e., When I originally ordered them, they weren't available at newegg at the time). My total after rebate and shipping would have been around 184 dollars. So just keep an eye out for your best deal. I know you already do since you were able to jump on the 749 dollar special on alienware for your machine. That was sweet!!!!

I hope this helps you decide when to upgrade your memory. Good luck.