LG P300 - Memory upgradable or not?

I'm a little confused about something: In some other user reviews of the p300, its been mentioned that the memory was upgradable. However, according the LG Canada website and the info in the User Guide it says the limit is 2GB:

"About Memory
This system uses a 200-pin, SO-DIMM-type (Small Outline Dual In-Line Memory Module) DDR2 SDRAM.

Each socket supports 128MB ~ 1024MB, and the maximum capacity of the main board is 2GB."


...so which is it? Is the P300's RAM upgradable or not? Anyone?

 

Maybe the system is limited to working with only 2 GB. So while it is 'upgradeable' in the sense that you can 'upgrade' RAM [access the RAM slots and replace the sticks], the system can't utilize more than 2 GB anyway so it's futile. That's how I understand what you quoted from LG anyway.

 

I upgraded to Vista x64 with 4GB DRAM several weeks ago. Notebook seems to be working fine.

I thought it may be a power budget issue and that is the reason why LG only recommends 2GB. Do not seem to be experiencing any performance nor overheating issues....

Larry

 

Okay then. So then LG is just lying in their official documentation? Weird.

Was the upgrade process relatively easy as far as disassembly and reasssmbly? As far as getting started, is it just a matter of unscrewing the 2 screws underneath labeled with the keyboard icons? And would there be any issue--with the dual channel aspect, etc.--in upgrading to just 3 GB as opposed to 4GB?

 

It was a pretty straight forward install process. Yes, just remove the two keyboard screws on the bottom and release the four springloaded tabs holding the keyboard in place at the top of the keyboard.

I did not try loading 3GB... I think for dual channel, it want to see the same size memory in both slots ... Before upgrading to x64, the Vista 32 saw around 3GB... notebook ran fine.

I don't think LG lied. They probably have their reasons for not supporting greater than 2GB...For my setup, the 4GB is working fine...

Larry

 

According to LG Nordic, the P300 supports up to 4 GB.
LG nordic, P300 product page

 

Thanks zx10r_646 for the info. I guess 'lying' is too strong a word. As you said they must have their reason.

Hope you don't mind some more questions in regards to Vista 64. The drivers listed on LG Canada's website are just for Vista 32-bit, correct? Was it difficult finding compatible 64-bit drivers for things like the intel turbo memory, bluetooth, sound system, etc?

And are there any problems with getting the LG utilities to work Vista 64-bit (don't have much use for things like the LG Maginifer, but having the on screen display for brightness and sound volume is helpful)?

 

Regarding drivers/utilities for x64, most of what is provided on the LG CD will work. There are a few that will not work at all but those are pretty self evident when you try to install. I am not in front of my LG at the moment so I am going from memory

Autoupdate does not work... it will run but it will not find any updates. Note, there is a bios update. If you plan on updating the bios, do so before changing to x64. For some reason, the bios update will not execute properly in x64. I had to reinstall x86 to update the bios.

OSD works for the most part. One of the F# function keys does not work properly but volume, brightness, wireless on/off, info and mute all work.

The Intel drivers are the same for x86 and x64. I downloaded the Realtek HD audio driver, bluetooth driver, touchpad driver, wifi, etc from the vendor's sites. I believe the LG provided Driver CD also contains x64 drivers for some of these but I like to have the latest version running so I downloaded from the vendor sites.

I downloaded the Invida driver off of www.laptopvideo2go.com. Remember that for x64 SP1, all drivers must be certified or they will not install without disabling this "security" feature. I am running 174.31 I think...it is certified

PM me if there is a specific driver you would like to install that you cannot find.

Larry

 

Thanks Larry again for all the info. Man this is tough. I'm debating on whether to upgrade the laptop. I love the system and it really is extemely well designed, but I'm not sure if it really fits for what I want. I'm thinking I should have gotten a desktop replacement type notebook or just a plain old desktop.

.....I'm curious: just feeling the waters here, but would anybody would be interested in the unit? I spent about $2200 (including importing costs) getting the unit from Canada---I dunno is $2100 a good asking price.

 

I think just a few months ago I saw the P300 for 2100 retail not including taxes.

It's now selling for 1700 which is a huge difference from that price there

 

Agreed; but there's also various provincial taxes, importing costs, etc. that add to the price.

 

Question: Has anyone successfully upgraded their RAM for the P300 running vista 32?

 

C2 - I just upgraded my p300 this morning to 3 gig. Works fine! I bought my RAM at Business Depot in Montreal known as Bureau en gros. I pruchased gbMicro 2GB DDR2 SODIMM PC5300/4200 (667/533Mhz) memory for 69$.
The unit was giving me 58% free memory before the install. After the upgrade I am getting 76% of free memory.
Big thanks to zx10r_646. His instructions were dead on.

 

lol I replied back to your post in another thread. I looked over the thread again and remembered this was the thread I read in on how to replace the RAM.

Besides the number difference given by the task manager, do you feel that the extra RAM gives you a better performance enhancement during regular Vista usage? And how about gaming?

I'm contemplating because any modification to the unit voids manufacture warranty

btw:
Is there any tips you would give before installing? Wonder where the springs are on the keyboard and what should I watch out for when doing so?

Another question how many pinns is the RAM?

Let me know thanks
Jimmy

 

C2- Beside running more apps at the same time Vista performs as well. Booting up is slightly faster but overall pretty much same speed (pretty fast to start with). As far as gaming is concerned I'm installing Crysis tonight (ultimate test) I'll keep you posted.
Installing the RAM is very easy. Unscrew the 2 keyboard screws underneath (they are well identified). Next step - Locate the 4 very small springs on the keyboard (#1 over the ESC key #2 between the F5 & F6 #3 between F10 & F11 and #4 over the DEL key). Make sure your unit is powered off and take off the battery. Use a small flat screwdriver and start with the first spring. As you push the spring left and up (up=towards the speaker) slide your nail under the keyboard and lift slightly upwards (you should not feel any resistance - very easy). Repeat for remaining springs. Remove keyboard gently (flat cable still attached). Replace memory (very easy). You do not need to unplug the flat cable. When completed, insert keyboard bottom first (spacebar=bottom) and gently apply pressure over the spring one by one. You will hear the spring click into place. The whole procedure took me less than 3 minutes.

The RAM has 200 pins.

Hope it helps!

Marc

 

Wow thanks for the detailed info. I really appreciate it
Yhaa for sure keep me posted on that. I'm not a big time gamer but I'm always open to trying out some new games here and there, if my notebook allows it. It wouldn't hurt to be able to play the newest games too on this baby

Just one more question and I know I probably have asked this a lot, I guess it's due to my uncertain decision weather to upgrade or not but if I was just using multiple applications example firefox, media player, word processing and spreadsheets. I'm a light gamer actually.

Do you think I would benefit from an upgrade? Or most likely will not see much of a performance difference?

I probably gonna make a new thread on this lol. get more opinions lol

Thanks again for the detailed reply.
Jimmy

 

If you're only going to use these apps I would say you will probably not see much difference. But if you start loading multiple gadgets like i did you will be able to do so without affecting your system's performance. I usually open 5 to 7 browser tabs, I have 8 gadgets loaded (weather, stocks slideshow, system performance), youtube, spreadsheet, bluetooth (Blackberry & mouse). 2 gig was doing the job. I simply upgraded for two reasons (1) to have fun with Crysis and Call of Duty 4 and (2) Just because I can lollllll
Enjoy!!!

 

thepav lol

sweet... I'm feeling great now.
btw I'm loving this notebook the keyboard is nice and solid and I'm getting use to the french keyboard layout. I have yet to start gaming but I will do so when I have bit more time. Gonna load up halo 2 when exams are finished hehe

 

Larry,

I'm wondering whether you got the "Canadian" version of the LG P300? (In other words, did you get it from Futureshop?)

Thanks a lot!

 

Hi Marc!

Sorry to ask (it seems like a bit of a stupid question), but there are two slots for RAM, right? Which means that I could buy 2x 2GB sticks to upgrade it to 4 GB?

Thanks!

 

That is right, there is 2 slots for the RAMS. I have 2 x 2GB on mine. To me, I think you need at least 3GB of RAM to run Vista. From what I see, the system itself eats up 1.1GB of RAM. If you only have 2GB, you will only have what 800MB of RAM left for other usage. You can upgrade to 64Bit, but LG doesn't have much support. I have read there are drivers out there on the Korean site but not for every driver though. If anyone has a full driver set, please let us know. Cheers!

 

Any good suggestions on what type of ram is good for this P300? cause I will probably order some from DirectCanada.
Would this work on the P300 http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=11180BD5044&vpn=VS2GSDS667D2&manufacture=CORSAIR ?

 

Just buy Kingston, then you will be fine.

 

I have the Canadian future shop version of the P300.
I find that it overheats all the time when gaming. When it heats up so bad, it automatically shuts off Will upgrading the the ram by buying 2 X 2 G solve the problem?

Thanks

 

http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=13220BD1093&vpn=OCZ2MV6674GK&manufacture=OCZ

would these work? I can't find the kingston ones.