Aspire 2023 Memory Upgrade

Hi,

Wondering if you can help.I'd like to upgrade my Aspire 2023 to at least 1gb of RAM - do you know what kind of memory is used and also I've heard the second memory module is hard to get to - is this the case?

Also: will 1gb of RAM make a notable difference in overall performance or is it better to get a faster hdd (from what I gather the Aspire comes with only a 4200rpm hdd)

Thanks.

 

Upgrading to 1GB of ram may improve your overall performance a bit, compared to a faster HDD which will give you more of a performance jump. The faster HDD will allow for your OS & programs to load faster because the data can be accessed faster. Adding more memory will only help when you start running low (a lot of windows/apps open or apps that use a lot of memory, like photo editing). How much memory does your system have? If it's 512MB, it should be fine, but if you have only 256MB, I'd upgrade to at least 512, otherwise, a faster HDD would be my recommendation.

The 2nd memory module is located under the keyboard. You'd have to unscrew 2 or more screws from the underside of the unit to release the keyboard. Turn your system around and lift off the keyboard carefully & your 2nd module will be right under there.

-Vb-

 

I too am planning on upgrading my memory (very soon in fact) to 1 Gigabyte, as I use alot of software samplers - specifically for my drums, which on average occupy 650MB of RAM.

I have the 2012WLMi. I've found a website that sells alot of notebook memory (www.offtek.co.uk) and it has a section that allows you to search for memory compatible with your notebook. The tricky part is, finding out which "series" my laptop belongs to. Is it a 2000? A 2010? What kind of RAM does this laptop take? Ya know, PC____ <- insert number, DDR, blah blah. Don't wanna spend a wad of cash on the wrong type of RAM

www.soundclick.com/chimpspanner

http://chimpspanner.heavenlymediaservices.com

 

Does anyone know if the 2012 is picky about the memory brand. Would I be safe getting 2*512 dimms PC2700 from one of the major vendors?

here is great article with pics:
http://notebookforums.com/showthread.php?t=35482&highlight=acer+2012+memory+upgrade

 

Chimp_Spanner,
your system fits into the 2010 series and the ram used in your notebook should be PC2700 (aka DDR333 or 333Mhz).

VR5,
I don't think it's too picky about the brand of memory, just make sure you buy a compatible memory type for your notebook.

Also, if you're gonna upgrade the memory, make sure you upgrade both modules at the same time. If you're gonna add to existing memory, check the CAS timing on the original module so you get the same CAS level. A user added 512MB memory to the existing 512MB and it didn't work, even with different brands. Turned out he went back to Acer and they told him it was because the original Acer memory was CAS 2 (or 2.5) & what he added was CAS 2.5 (or 2) and therefore wasn't compatible. But if you're getting 2 modules of the same memory, then you should be fine.

-Vb-

 

Hey Venombite, you remember me! Hehehe, yeah, boy did that make me angry when I realized it was the CAS latency causing my notebook not to boot.

Dylan, vr5, and to anybody else trying to upgrade memory. Make sure the CAS latency is the same in both modules, or else your computer will refuse to boot. Usually CAS2.5 is what is available. The tricky thing is getting the internal slot upgraded too. But with the Aspire models, I don't think it's too much of a problem anyway because even Infineon doesn't manufacture a CAS2 512MB module for PC2700.

 

Hey Ang4561, [ ]

Yeah, this was a doozy. It's kinda stuck in my head now, just a CAS level of .5 caused you all those headaches. Had to warn people so they don't come up with the same headaches.

I'm assuming your systems working flawlessly now?

-Vb-

 

Hey! Thanks, that was a great help. So any PC2700 (333Mhz) RAM will work in this laptop?

Also, just to be a pain in the rear, one more question:

I get most of my computer related stuff from www.ebuyer.com

They have some good prices on 512 DDR notebook memory sticks, ranging from £50-70, so that puts it well within my budget. But there's loads of different types. Like I could go for 2 x Corsair 512MB, DDR333 / PC2700, non-ECC, 200 SODIMM, unbuffered, or 1 x Crucial 1gb 200-pin Sodimm 128mx64 Ddr Pc2700, but what is the difference? Will either of these work just fine? What is "unbuffered" and "non-ECC" - are these bad things? Do I need to buy in pairs or can I just whack in that single stick of 1Gb (assuming that type will work in this laptop).

Sorry to bombard you with questions

Paul

www.soundclick.com/chimpspanner

http://chimpspanner.heavenlymediaservices.com

 

Hey Venombite!
Yeah, my computer works great now. That memory thing really caused me a lot of headaches. Oh well, I guess its just one of those things that you never learn unless you learn it first hand.

Hi Chimp_spanner
-The answer to your first question is really only whether you want 1 gig of memory in one stick or 1 gig of memory in two sticks. Nobody can answer this question except for yourself. In your case, whether or not you want get at the slot under the keyboard. And yes, they will both work fine.
-Second questions, what is un-buffered. Well, there are two types of memory when it comes to buffering. Un-buffered or Registered, the details are somewhat lengthy to explain, but in your case, un-buffered will work fine.
-Non-ECC, means not error correcting. In other words, there is no parity checking on the RAM. Acer computers use Non-ECC memory, so go with that.
-Last questions, you can get one stick, or two. In your case, it is only a matter of choice. Are you willing to get under the keyboard and access the other slot? I wasn't, so I sent it into Acer, btw, if you screw something up, it voids warranty! From the sounds of it, I would simply go the 1 gig stick of memory and pop it into the user accessible slot on the outside. But there is a pretty hefty price tag associated with that... In your case, I am certain any brand of DDR333/PC2700 memory will work. If you do decide to change both slots of memory yourself, let me know how it goes. I would like to know how easy you found it getting the keyboard off.

Hi Dylan,
Your aspire uses PC2700 CL2.5 SO-DIMM memory. All popular brands like Kingston, Crucial, and Transcend sell it. As for the second slot under the keyboard, difficullty differs from person to person. I chose to get mine done by Acer for two reasons, it didn't cost me anything, and I don't have steady hands. But, I knew exactly how to do it, so if you're asking me if it is difficult, I would say no. Basically the choice is yours, upgrading memory via the internal slot or external slot does not void warranty. But, if you break something while attempting to do either, does! So keep that in mind! As for your second questions, I personally did not notice a significant performance increase after upgrading to 1 gig. It cost me almost $500.00(Canadian) to upgrade the memory, and to me, $500.00 is a lot of money to not notice any change! Fortunately for me, the money was from an educational grant, and had to be spent. If not, they would have simply taken it away from me. So in a way, I'm not actually out any money, but if I had known, I definitly would have used the money to buy something else, like a laser printer or something. So if are happy with your computer, I would simply do nothing. It is a brand new computer! Why should you have to upgrade. But, if you are itching to upgrade the notebook, then I would choose the HDD over the RAM. It just makes more sense. BTW, you will definitly notice a performance difference with the HDD. I have a 4200 and the difference is definitly noticeble compared to the 5400 that came with my TM800.

 

Hey! Thanks for the detailed response, very helpful

I think in the long term it's far better I try and go for the 1 stick of 1Gb option, only cos it'll be more costly to have to ditch 2 x 512 sticks, and then buy another 2 x 1Gb later on.

I suppose the only thing is that if I use the most accessible slot for the sake of convenience, that will mean leaving one of the existing sticks of 256 in there. With any luck it will match the 1Gb stick I get. If not, I'll have to remove the keyboard anyway but I'll see what happens. But yeah it's more important that I leave myself room to go up to 2Gb anyway, seeing how I use my laptop for music sequencing and recording - which is very RAM intensive. My drum kit patch uses like 650 MB of RAM and so far I've been unable to use it, so I'll get moving on this upgrade!

Thanks again!

- Paul

www.soundclick.com/chimpspanner

http://chimpspanner.heavenlymediaservices.com

 

Hy ang4561,
I would like to upgrade my Aspire to 2 GB but don't want to send it to Acer - so could you please tell me how to access the second slot under the keyboard ? That would help me a lot.

Have a nice day

Markus

 

there is a guide with pictures in an acer's knowledgebase.
check out their website.

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by memory_eater

 

Hy VR5,
thanks for your answer - unfortunately I wasn't successful finding this guide. When I asked the acer support for information I only got the answer to send it to them (costs money (
SO if you could point me to this guide - maybe you've an URL or you could send me the guide ?

Have a good time

Markus