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jagzee · 01-04-2007, 01:39 AM

I bought a new notebook at Staples on boxing day for a pretty good price. An Acer Aspire 5100. It was advertised as having 1024 MB (512 MB + 512 MB) DDR-2 533 SD RAM with AMD Turion 64 X 2 TL-50 @ 1.6 Ghz and ATI X110 graphics (128 MB shared)

The system properties show 896 MB RAM. A Belarc report shows 896 MB installed with 1024 MB in slot one and slot two as empty.

Board: Acer Navarro
Bus Clock: 200 megahertz
BIOS: Acer V2.50 10/27/2006
A sticker on it states it supports dual channel.

A system scan at Crucial states it currently has one stick of 1024 MB DDR2 PC2-5100. Also, that each slot can hold DDR2 PC2-4200 or DDR2 PC2-5300. I’m not sure if the 5100 listed in the scan is a mistake of some kind? Can it be assumed it should be 5300?

Anyway, more to the point. I went back to the store and suggested that the 2 X 512 that was advertised should be what’s installed since running in dual channel mode would be a better configuration. They are willing to swap out the 1024 for 2 X 512 at no charge.

I’m now wondering if I should save the empty slot for another 1024 stick upgrade? If I ever do add another 1024 stick it’s at least a year or two down the road. Or am I better off accepting the 2 X 512 offer and worry about more later, if ever at all.

Any advice, or info to help make a decision, would be much appreciated.

01-04-2007, 01:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
jagzee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 85 OS: WinXP	new laptop RAM question I bought a new notebook at Staples on boxing day for a pretty good price. An Acer Aspire 5100. It was advertised as having 1024 MB (512 MB + 512 MB) DDR-2 533 SD RAM with AMD Turion 64 X 2 TL-50 @ 1.6 Ghz and ATI X110 graphics (128 MB shared) The system properties show 896 MB RAM. A Belarc report shows 896 MB installed with 1024 MB in slot one and slot two as empty. Board: Acer Navarro Bus Clock: 200 megahertz BIOS: Acer V2.50 10/27/2006 A sticker on it states it supports dual channel. A system scan at Crucial states it currently has one stick of 1024 MB DDR2 PC2-5100. Also, that each slot can hold DDR2 PC2-4200 or DDR2 PC2-5300. I’m not sure if the 5100 listed in the scan is a mistake of some kind? Can it be assumed it should be 5300? Anyway, more to the point. I went back to the store and suggested that the 2 X 512 that was advertised should be what’s installed since running in dual channel mode would be a better configuration. They are willing to swap out the 1024 for 2 X 512 at no charge. I’m now wondering if I should save the empty slot for another 1024 stick upgrade? If I ever do add another 1024 stick it’s at least a year or two down the road. Or am I better off accepting the 2 X 512 offer and worry about more later, if ever at all. Any advice, or info to help make a decision, would be much appreciated.