Graphic Card/RAM improvement

Hi

Is it possible to install extra RAM or replace a graphic card in an Acer Aspire 5920? I currently have 3 Gb RAM and my graphic card's ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3470. My computer is running rather slow and it has problems running games, if there's any other way to improve this I'd be happy to hear it.

 

All modern notebooks allow ram upgrade. If I'm not mistaken your laptop use MXM-II so you migh be able to upgrade to a HD3650 but don't quote me on that.

 

Check the MXM compatibility list - http://www.mxm-upgrade.com/Table.html

As far as system memory you may be capped at 3GB for a 32bit OS (if you have xp installed). If you have a 64bit os like Windows Vista then you can install up to what the chip set on the motherboard supports (4GB).

I doubt that 1 more gig of memory will increase your overall performance. Look into a possible fresh install of your OS as a last restort (but that does always solve the problem for me).

Also make sure that if you do end up reinstalling your OS that you back up your docs and settings prior to doing so!

--ssx--

 

32bIt OS is limited to 4GB memory addressing space. OS doesn't change this. Windows XP displays the actual amount of ram that you can use and Vista SP1 displays the amount of ram installed.

 

you know what I meant....

 

I have Windows Vista 32-bits, but how do I reinstall it? It came with the computer when I got it.

 

Depending on the current status of your Acer laptop it should have a D2D recovery partition on the hard drive (that is... if you have not modified or edited it).

You can do a Alt + F10 restore if that is the case. Just make sure you back your stuff up before hand as this will wipe your drive clean and restore it to the day you purchased it.

Do a search on the forums, there is lots of help out there for people in your situation.

 

Will do, thanks.

 

to be more specific, hit alt+f10 at the bios splash screen prior to loading your operating system.

sorry...

 

Most Acers will not support more than 2 gig on a 32bit OS (mine won't even turn on with more than 2gig), and even with a 64 they mostly only "see" 3 gig.

 

My 5920G is currently running HD3650 512DDR2 (upgraded form HD3470) and Patriot 2x2GB PC6400 800MHZ (upgraded from 2x2GB Samsung PC5300) @ 667MHz, but with better timings - 4,5,5,13 instead of 5,5,5,15 of the old ones. While the new VGA gave a notable boost in everything that takes advantage from it, the RAM doesn't make a big difference if any. You better save a bit more money and go for a new hard drive, like WD5000BEVT instead of giving them for RAM

Edit: You better go for the HD3650 256DDR3 instead of 512DDR2 one. I'm with this one, because I thought that I was buying HD3650 512DDR3, if I knew that the pictures are not real, I would definitely go for the lower amount, but faster DDR.

 

"Most" Acers? Where on earth did you get that fact?!

Acers that use the Intel 965 chipset series, such as the 5920G, will be able to handle 4GB on a 64-bit operating system without a problem.

As mentioned here, a move to the Radeon HD 3650 is doable, but you also might want to consider a GeForce 9500M GS or 8600M GT, as both have been sold in 5920G configurations.

 

The 9500M - yes, but I'll pass the 8600M as an "upgrade". Around the forum there are plenty of my-8600-passed-out topics

Damn, I want someone to force 9600M GT to run on our 5920Gs, or to be more precise - to force 5920G to run 9600M

 

Keep in mind that the 9500M GS is a revised core of the 8600M GT - the two may or may not be affected by the same thermal issue.

 

Yes I know that, but till now there are no issues with 9500M, at least I don't know.

 

None so far on my laptop, and it's almost a year old.

 

triturbo, how do you do 4,5,5,13 ? I thought default CAS = 5 ?
you are using this right http://www.patriotmemory.com/products/detailp.jsp?prodline=3&catid=33&prodgroupid=59&id=663&type=5 ?

 

I'm using PSD28G800SK, but it is just a kit version of 2 like this from the link. It sets the timings automatic, if you put a higher clocked RAM (800MHz) it will be down clocked (@667MHz) but with better timings. For example if they run @800MHz it'll be - 5,5,5,15; @667 - 4,5,5,14 and etc. Kingston HyperX have a kit with 2x2GB @667MHz 4,4,4,14; another - 2x2GB @800MHz 5,5,5,18 and the ultimate - 2x2GB @800MHz 4,4,4,14. I guess it would have even better timings when it is down clocked, but the kit goes up to $200 (inclucing delivery). The other two are not so cheap either - $100 for 667 and $150 for 800. That's why I choose Patriot, if you have a lot of money for spending go for HyperX and tell us if there is any difference

 

I did say most 32 bit systems won't run more than 2 gig, I also said that 64 will run 4 gig, but due to system architecture they tend to only recognise 3 gig

 

I disagree.

Most 32bit system recognize 3GB(2,75-3,25) and all 64bit will recognize 4GB as long as the chipset support it. Older chipsets and some of the new "budget" version chipsets(like GL960) will never recognize 4GB due chipset limitation.

 

That's the latency for 800MHz. If you are using it in a system with 667 MHz RAM bus then the memory has to downgrade to 667 MHz and probably the latency is becoming faster (like CAS 4 from 5). At least that's my explanation unless he has changed the RAM timings somehow.

 

There is no difference. Don't bother wasting your money. Just get the cheapest kit from a known manufacturer with lifetime warranty.

 

Sorry mate but I will have to agree with the others. Most 32bit systems will recognise up to 4GB of RAM (unless the chipset is more than 3 years old or the manufacturer has limited the RAM amount). For laptops, from chipset 945GM (2006) and onwards systems and for desktops, from 865GM (2004) and onwards, can go up to 4Gb of RAM,
Yes, 32bit systems won't use all of the 4GB and yes, you probably don't need more than 2GB (in XP) or 3GB (in Vista) but 64 bit systems will recognise up to 8Gb or 16Gb or 128Gb of RAM depending on which version of Vista x64 you are running. Now, the memory hole for IO you see in 32bit still exists in the 64bit world, but most modern BIOSes allow you to banish the IO memory hole. And that was a problem that people faced in 2004 when the first CPUs (AMD) came that were compatible with 64bit.
But all of this are out of the subject in this thread

To the main subject, regarding performance in games, firstly I would suggest that you will probably need to upgrade the graphic card (to a 8600M GT, or 9500M GS or HD3650, DDR2 or DDR3; all of them are compatible with the 5920G), then I would suggest the CPU (don't know which one you have), then upgrade the RAM (to 3GB or 4GB, it won't matter much and only because it is easier and cheaper than the HD) and lastly the HD.