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    are ddr2 and ddr compatible? and other upgrade questions.

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by bradlewa, Dec 30, 2005.

  1. bradlewa

    bradlewa Newbie

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    sorry for the simple question, but i've never attempted to upgrade a laptop before. i have a dell 600m that comes with pc2700 ddr RAM. i want to upgrade from the 512MB i have. looking at newegg.com's prices, ddr2 is cheaper, which is why i ask. so, will ddr2 RAM work in a ddr so-dimm slot? is it even possible to install it?

    alternatively, i'll ask for opinions here. i use this computer for pretty extensive image processing in photoshop and other similar programs. i do a lot of multi-tasking - putting together slides in powerpoint and whatnot. i generally have a number of programs open at once. this often causes an obvious drain on the speed at which these programs respond. so, what's the best upgrade to make my system perform image processing and other tasks faster? I've heard that a faster HD can actually make a bit of difference as well.

    specs: dell 600m, pentium M 1.5 Ghz, 512 MB PC2700 DDR RAM, integrated Radeon 9000 video, 40 GB 5400 RPM Fujitsu HD.

    again, thanks for the help.
     
    bradlewa, Dec 30, 2005
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  2. Slappy

    Slappy Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    No, they are not. It won't work. You have to buy the type of RAM that your computer came with.

    RAM will probably help you a good bit, and it is almost always the cheapest upgrade for any system, but I don't do the imaging stuff so I can't say for sure that you'll see the performance you want.
     
    Slappy, Dec 30, 2005
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  3. tullnd

    tullnd Notebook Evangelist

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    Stick to the RAM for your main upgrade now. Max it out. Ram, then processor, then hard drive. Upgrading to a 7200RPM drive wouldn't be a big jump in speed for photoshop. Right now it might help a bit...but the cost to do that versus adding RAM(which will significantly boost your ability to handle larger files and keep multiple apps open at once), is huge.

    Just do the RAM and call it a day. If you upgrade teh size of your hard drive to a 100GB 5400RPM drive, you'd even see a slight speed increase...but still minimal(and expensive as well).
     
    tullnd, Dec 30, 2005
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