Compatibility check? Combining PC2 5300 1GB ram with PC2 6400 2GB

Hello everyone,

I have a SONY VAIO VGN CR490 which has T8300 C2D processsor which supports 800MHz FSB. My laptop was shipped with 2GB (2X1GB) PC2 5300 ram modules.

Now I would like to upgrade my memory replacing one of the 1GB modules with a 2GB PC2 6400 800MHz module. SO essentially I would end up with 1GB PC2 5300 ram + 2GB PC2 6400. Is this going to cause any compatibility problems?

Should I go ahead and buy the ram...or should I have second thoughts? I dont wanna buy a paired 4GB kit, my 32 bit Vista anyways wouldnt support 4GB ram.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks.

 

It should work, and the 2GB PC2 6400 800MHz module will simply run at 667MHz like the 1GB chip it's replacing.

 

Yup, should work with no problems. Note that the faster RAM will downclock to the slower one's speed, so if you can find a lower price for a 5300 stick, go for that instead.

 

Thanks Namaiki...that was very helpful and cleared my apprehension. Buying a PC2 6400 will allow me to upgrade the other module when I have some money to spend. Thats the whole idea behing replacing one module first...

 

Thanks midnightsun. I appreciate your advice.

 

guys, can you suggest me a good place to buy cheap ram modules?

Thanks

 

newegg if you're in the US.

 

Thanks Hirohata. I am in the U.S.

 

I know I am asking a lot, but these are my doubts!!!

Is there a noticeable difference between 3GB 5300 and 3GB 6400 for general computing and multimedia viewing with Windows Vista?

Thanks guys.

 

Your processor's FSB is 800MHz and your RAM is 667MHz, potentially 800MHz.

I'll just say my processor is 667 and my ram was 1GB 533MHz and upgraded to 2GB 667MHz and I can feel no difference at all. Unfortunately. RAM focused benchmarks actually are a little bit lower now than with my old ram.

I read this article somewhere before I upgraded and in some gaming benchmarks, average improvement was something like 1-3 FPS.

 

Thanks Namaiki. Thats helpful.

 

No problem seems to be possible since they are completely compatible with the system that you currently have..

 

You won't notice a difference between PC2 5300 and PC2 6400. So go for the one that has the lowest latency like CL4 if you can (most of the DDR2 sticks have CL5, some cheap, CL6, don't take these). Also you can try ebay for memory sticks, like an Ebay-shop, you can trust them. If you spend a bit more, you can go for 2x2GB dual channel kits but generally you will see a difference if you do photo or video editing or in multimedia files (searching, loading etc) and maybe gaming. Sell the ones you will have on Ebay so you can save a bit of money.