m6809: upgrade memory first or harddrive?

2 questions

Q1

i need to upgrade both, but since i am short in money so i will make it in 2 steps, my question is shall i upgrade the memory or the harddrive first?

i am using the laptop mainly for gaming and i its clear for me that the harddrive is not doing very well in this area.

Q2
however, i checked crucial's 1gb pc2700 memory which seems most of the users are using it and the price is very high about $400, while this memory from Kingston www.memorysuppliers.com/ki1gbpc262001.html looks very reasonable in price, any of you tried it? or have feedback about it?

 

The first upgrade should almost always be the RAM...you get more bang for your buck, even by upgrading to 768MB from the stock 512MB. The hard drive upgrade is worthwhile, but I would definitely get the RAM first.

For PC2700 sticks, the cheapest you will find will be in the $250-$300 range. Go with Samsung if you can find it-it is the OEM equipment used, and it is almost guaranteed to work with your system properly and seamlessly. Try www.newegg.com for more pricing.

Good luck!

 

Ram comes always first, both pricewise and performancewise it is the way to go. As for HD upgrades you might want to wait a month or so for Seagate are expected to come out with a 7200rpm 60, 80, and even 100GB 2.5' HD. This will probably drop the prices of the Hitachi Travelstar which right now is the only 60GB 7200 HD in the market and is basically a monopolist.
As for the 200 dimm ram, yeah Samsung is the one guaranteed to work (for it is the one that comes with the M68**). Crucial is kind of expensive (it was 450 a week ago on their site). I usually use MUSHKIN for my desktops but have never used them for notebook RAM since I have never had a laptop (still waiting on the BB rabate for the M6811). MUSHKIN is beleved by many to be the Mercedes Benz of RAM with only Corsair being somewhat as good. A 1GB 200-pin DIMM costs around 300 bucks on their site. But again cannot tell you anything about their notebook RAM I only assume that it is very good based on their DESKTOP RAM quality.
Hope this helps.

e-Machines laptops rock

 

thanks guys.

i think i will upgrade the ram first.

i had a look on samsung website but unfortunately they dont produce 1gb sodimm, so i have to look for another brands, and the least expensive one i found is this one http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?DEPA=0&description=20-155-111&ATT=Memory+Notebook+Memo&CMP=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r
do you have any feed back about it? any other suggestions?

 

Sure Samsung makes 1GB SODIMM. Just a bit pricey though...

http://www.memory-up.com/merchant2/merchant.mv?Store_Code=M&Screen=SRCH&Search=333N-1024%20

I've seen a couple posts where the Kingmax didn't work, but the Transcend also sold at Newegg does. I suppose you could try the Kingmax first then return for the Transcend if it doesn't work.

 

Well, I guess mecdave just gave you the link.
You can check the Mushkin chips at the commercial link at the top of your brouser window. I just saw that.
Actually, their 1GB 2700 chip costs $276 which is 50-60 bucks more than the Kingmax or Transcend. I don't know if this is too much for you, go for the Transcend if not I would recommend a trusted brand like Mushkin.

e-Machines laptops rock

 

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

 

If this were a desktop it would be easy. Generic desktop memory is cheap,and should be the first thing you upgrade, but notebook memory tends to run higher in cost, but I think I would still recommend it unless your HD is bursting at the seams, in which case you probably need the HD more.

 

I myself have an eMachines M6811. I ordered a 1GB stick of the KinMax Ram from newegg.com and it does not work. I am fairly knowledgeable about computers and am pretty sure that the KingMax ram is not compatible. I have not had the stick test to see if it is just bad ram, so that could be the case. However, KingMax does not show supported ram for the M6811 so I am beginning to think that it is not compatible. I recommend not being to cheap here when buying notebook memory. I know have to eat a $30.00 restock fee! Oh well, live and learn.

 

The Kingmax has been reported by several people as not working with the m68xx series. Fry's has a 1GB stick that does work with the m68xx and is very very reasonably priced.
It has been as cheap as 139.99, but is now 159.99 and currently in stock.

http://shop4.outpost.com/product/4158153




eMachines m6809
Mobile Athlon 64 3200+ @ 2.2GHz | 512MB PC2700 | 60GB Hitachi 7200RPM | ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 64MB | Lite-on DVD+/-RW | 15.4" widescreen

 

Athlon 64 mobos tend to be on the picky side when it comes to RAM. I have started another thread to see which RAM manufacturer works best.