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    Memory Recommendations for Asus Z63A

    Discussion in 'Asus' started by EmmaK, May 8, 2008.

  1. EmmaK

    EmmaK Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi,

    I have an Asus Z63A (Processor: Intel Pentium M 760 [2MB] 2.0 GHz).

    It already has a 1 GB Kingston [1x1GB] DDR2-533 soDIMM Memory.

    I want to upgrade to 2 Gig.

    Can the system take 2 Gigs, and if so, how much should I expect to pay for another Gig of DDR2-533 Memory...? Any good deals around?

    Thanks - EK
     
    EmmaK, May 8, 2008
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  2. ClearSkies

    ClearSkies Well no, I'm still here..

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    Ahhh, another long-lost BoA owner of the W3a series....

    The z63 should work with 2GB, although I haven't tried it myself (1.5GB in mine).

    One option for memory is going to be NewEgg - 1GB sticks go for < $27 shipped; any major manufacturer will do. Remember, one of these is going to have to be installed under the keyboard in the second RAM slot.
     
    ClearSkies, May 8, 2008
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  3. EmmaK

    EmmaK Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks very much. I installed the memory. I bought a 2 Gig stick from Newegg and installed it under the keyboard.

    There was a 512 Mg piece already in the first RAM slot at the back of the system.

    When I bootup Vista, the bios reported 2Gig but Vista reported 2.5 gig. Which of these is correct? Does it mean that vista is able to operate the system with 2.5 gig ?

    thanks - EK
     
    EmmaK, May 9, 2008
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  4. ClearSkies

    ClearSkies Well no, I'm still here..

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    BIOS is probably wrong and can only see up to 2GB (1GB sticks were the max size back when the z63 was still being made), but ASUS hasn't updated the BIOS for 2 years now and there won't be any more.

    If Vista is seeing 2.5, that's what you're working with. congrats.
     
    ClearSkies, May 10, 2008
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  5. EmmaK

    EmmaK Notebook Enthusiast

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    ClearSkies, thanks very much....a bit hope -- I wish I had an extra I gig piece lying around to test it, but I will live with 2.5 for now.

    rgds, EK
     
    EmmaK, May 12, 2008
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  6. AuroraS

    AuroraS Notebook Virtuoso

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    Yeah... the BIOS probably only shows 2 GB as it is the max it can support, but Vista can recognize both sticks. However, I have a feeling it can only utilize 2GB...
     
    AuroraS, May 12, 2008
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  7. ClearSkies

    ClearSkies Well no, I'm still here..

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    OK I'll play ignorant, Sam (good to see you, by the way :)), because I was more or less somewhat guessing there.....

    Doesn't Vista have to access the RAM through the MB and BIOS, and if it's actually seeing the 2.5 wouldn't that be what's really being utilized, despite the BIOS at boot only reporting 2? Would something like CPU-Z be another option to see how much is being read and try to confirm 2.5, or would that be subject to the same limitations as Vista already seeing the 2.5? I can't think of how else to attempt confirmation.....
     
    ClearSkies, May 12, 2008
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  8. E.B.E.

    E.B.E. NBR Procrastinator

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    Keep in mind also that Vista 32 has been "tweaked" with an update to show 4GB of RAM when 4GB of RAM are in the system -- even though with 32 bits and w/o PAE, it won't be able to use all of that.

    The point being, the fact that Vista shows X amount of RAM doesn't mean that Vista is able to make use of X amount of RAM...
     
    E.B.E., May 12, 2008
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  9. EmmaK

    EmmaK Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks for all the help. How do you know how much memory vista is actually using?
     
    EmmaK, May 13, 2008
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  10. E.B.E.

    E.B.E. NBR Procrastinator

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    How much Physical Memory is shown in the Task Manager? That is most likely the amount actually used.
     
    E.B.E., May 13, 2008
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  11. EmmaK

    EmmaK Notebook Enthusiast

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    E.B.E.

    Yes, I checked and the details are:

    Total: 2038
    Cached: 1113
    Free: 32

    Currently, Task Manager reports that it is using about 50% of the physical memory, making me believe the limitations of the bios - in supporting only up to 2 Gig... (even if Vista "sees" more).

    Can I bios update increase the memory limitations on the W3A?

    Thanks - EK
     
    EmmaK, May 13, 2008
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  12. E.B.E.

    E.B.E. NBR Procrastinator

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    Total 2038 = 2 GB (roughly). So it looks like your 512MB are wasted, unfortunately.

    Yes a BIOS update can remove the limitation, if it ever was a concern of ASUS engineers when they wrote the updates.

    So yes, I do recommend updating to the latest BIOS available.
     
    E.B.E., May 13, 2008
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  13. EmmaK

    EmmaK Notebook Enthusiast

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    E.B.E.

    thanks very much -- I just updated to the latest - version 0818, but it didn't help...so it is not so much a concern for them yet .(if it ever will). Is it adviceable to update it from the original manufacturers of the bios...?

    Thanks - EK
     
    EmmaK, May 13, 2008
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  14. E.B.E.

    E.B.E. NBR Procrastinator

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    I'm not sure what you mean. You should only use BIOS files that were specifically designed for your model.

    I don't think any new BIOS will be released for this old machine, so I think you're stuck with 2GB. Which should be enough for most tasks, anyway.
     
    E.B.E., May 13, 2008
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  15. EmmaK

    EmmaK Notebook Enthusiast

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    EBE,

    thats what I think, anyways....

    thanks for all the info and support -- rgs, EK
     
    EmmaK, May 13, 2008
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  16. vg19

    vg19 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Sorry to intrude on the thread but I also have a z63a and just would like to know, should I be buying 240 PIN memory or 200 PIN? Also does brand matter, or are they all pretty much the same?

    Thanks
     
    vg19, May 13, 2008
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  17. EmmaK

    EmmaK Notebook Enthusiast

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    You should be getting the 200-pin. Use the Memory Finder systems at either newegg.com or crucial.com.

    I also got one of these - the KingstonValueRam, an it works fine.

    best - EK


     
    EmmaK, May 13, 2008
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  18. E.B.E.

    E.B.E. NBR Procrastinator

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    As to the brand, any major manufacturer will do fine. There are no noticeable differences in performance.
     
    E.B.E., May 14, 2008
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