Need advice on upgrading my RAM?

Question

I have a HP Pavilion XT963, about 8 years old, Windows XP service pack 3, 1.2GHz processor and 384 MB RAM. Don't play games, just internet, MS word, other programs.

Computer runs real slow, have defragged, no viruses or spam, cleaned registery. I am pretty good with computers and thinking of upgrading the RAM to at least 512MB. The current RAM is a 256MB stick and a 128 MB stick = 384MB RAM.

I need advice on how much RAM to get, I would like at least 512MB, but can I safely install more?Also what type? I want to get the right one that will fit in the motherboard, I have seen different computers where the RAM sticks have more and/or different notches, and some RAM sticks won't fit in other computers.

I went to Memorygiant.com and they have some 256MB for about $23, is that a good price?

Answer 1

I used Yahoo Search to look up



HP Pavilion XT963



And this link on the HP website gives

"Product Specifications and What Ships in the Box"



http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?dlc=en&lc=en&product=62764&lang=en&cc=us&docname=bph06895



Which tells me this:



RAM (standard) 128 MB SDRAM

Maximum 512 MB

Speed PC 133 (runs at PC100)

Size supported 64, 128, and 256 MB

Type SDRAM

Total sockets Two DIMMs

Free DIMM sockets One



The motherboard cannot support more than 512 MB so don't look for more.



PC 133 and PC 100 memory has not been manufactured in quantity for a long time, over 10 years, so any "new" memory you find will be retail stock that has never been sold. You might be fortunate and find someone in your region that has a couple of old memory sticks and wants to sell it.



The Memorygiant.com price is for 1 stick, new ? Good price then.



Price for used memory ? Ten bucks max. All you really need is another 256 MB stick of the same speed as the existing 256 MB stick, preferably from the same manufacturer. There might be electronics experimenters who have "junk boxes" who might have a stick or two, you could post on Craigslist and see who has an offer near where you live.



==========



Upgrading to 512 MB will help your computer run a little faster, it will reduce the number of times Windows XP has to use the paging file on the hard disk. But every critical update adds a bit more programming code to XP and the OS gets a little slower, I've been experimenting with re-installing my factory software on a 2005 Presario and seeing a big difference in speed. The 1.2 GHz processor is also slow, and the Celeron type has a rather small onchip cache, which also makes it slow. Websites that have a lot of Flash or Shockwave animations in their advertising can also slow your computer way way down, especially if the animation was poorly programmed. Here on Yahoo Answers, I have seen the Ambien ad stall my computer for over a minute.



========== generic advice for RAM upgrades :



As "colesey72" suggested, go to http://www.crucial.com/



They have a "Crucial System Scanner Tool" which is an ActiveX control, it will scan the motherboard and use the information in a lookup in their databases. Every motherboard has a maximum amount of memory that can be addressed, due to limitations in the chipsets. Crucial will tell you what the maximum memory that the motherboard can support.



If you don't want an ActiveX control on your computer, or this is for a computer that isn't going to be connected to the Internet, they have a "Crucial Memory Advisor Tool" where you select the Manufacturer, Product Line, and Model from drop-down lists. This does not work very well when you have a custom-built system.



I used what you posted and got this link:



http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=Pavilion%20XT963



And for the module:

http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=1D5EB0BFA5CA7304



Module Size: 256MB

Package: 168-pin DIMM

Feature: SDRAM, PC133

Part #: CT236392 • SDRAM, PC133 • CL=2 • Unbuffered • Non-parity • 133MHz •

3.3V • 32Meg x 64 •

one stick for $34.99



Crucial has been manufacturing memory modules for over 10 years for all the big name computer companies, and have extensive databases. They will find the memory module that best matches your computer, depending on what they have in stock.



With the information provided, you can either buy directly from Crucial or see what other sellers have in stock.



Kingston also manufacturers memory modules, they are big competitors to Crucial. http://www.kingston.com/



==========



After you have changed out your memory, you need to test the installation. The Ubuntu Live CD has the MemTest86+ program on it, just boot with the CD and select the program and run it. You do not have to install Ubuntu to use this program.



Or you can download the MemTest86+ program in ISO form and burn it to a CD. The CD will boot the computer and the program will run automatically.



Look for the link "Download (Pre-built & ISOs)"

http://www.memtest.org/



Wikipedia article about MemTest86+

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MemTest86%2B



TonyRB

Wednesday, Feb 24, 2010

Answer 2

You cannot simply take this frivolously, as there re MANY distinctive matters to don't forget: First, you need to know the way so much RAM your motherboard can aid. If you could have a reputation company (Dell, HP, and many others.), you'll uncover the reply on their internet site. If now not, then see what form of motherboard you could have, and examine from there. Second, you need to realize what form of RAM is right on your motherboard. Some sorts of RAM (RDRAM, for instance) need to be mounted in PAIRS.. Third, you need to realize if further unused RAM at the board will motive ti malfunction. In that case, you'll use a contiunuity chip alternatively of without problems having a RAM chip unused. These are simply SOME of the questions you wish to have spoke back earlier to putting in extra RAM.

Answer 3

You really won't notice a difference. The only way you are going to notice better performance is to purchase/build new system. I have worked you out a system below, since you are not gaming you can opt out of purchasing a video and sound card and use the onboard video and audio.I did not work in monitor, keyboard, or mouse. If you opt for this build and you decide to upgrade to play games later on you will have no trouble in upgrading. Any questions let me know.

Answer 4

The MAX you can put in that machine is 512MB (http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&docname=bph06895#N961) You can purchase a new 256MB stick, but it is usually recommended to use 2 of the same type. You need SDRAM, 168 pin. You're looking at $25 for 512MB on newegg.



http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010170147%201052107967&name=168-Pin%20SDRAM

Answer 5

go to the crucial website....they have a scanner which tells you the details of the motherboard and what type of memory it will take.