Help with memory!

[strategist333]

Straight and simple:

I'm looking at a laptop: HP L2000 (no dual channel support, 2 RAM slots, SODIMM, max 2.0 GB, max DDR400)

In the memory configuration section on HPShopping:

Choices 1-4 all HP-specified DDR333
Choice 1 (Base choice): 512 MB (2x 256 MB)
Choice 2 (HP Upgrade): 512 MB (1x 512 MB) +$25
Choice 3 (HP Upgrade): 1024 MB (2x 512 MB) +$125
Choice 4 (HP Upgrade): 1024 MB (1x 1024 MB) +$175

Choice 5A (Self upgrade): Choice 2 + 512 MB DDR333 +$88
Choice 5B (Self upgrade): Choice 2 + 512 MB DDR400 +$90

Choice 6A (Self upgrade): Choice 2 + 1024 MB DDR333 +$136
Choice 6B (Self upgrade): Choice 2 + 1024 MB DDR400 +$165

Choice 7A (Self upgrade): Choice 1 (use 1x 256 MB, sell the other) + 1024 MB DDR333 +$136
Choice 7B (Self upgrade): Choice 1 (use 1x 256 MB, sell the other) + 1024 MB DDR400 +$140

Choice 8 (Total change): Choice 1, sell both sticks, buy 1024 MB DDR400 (1 RAM slot left over) +$140

Choice 9 (Total change): Choice 1, sell both sticks, buy 1024 MB DDR400 (2x 512 MB) +$130

(All prices from HP configuration and Crucial.)

I'm leaning towards choice 8: fastest, and upgradable..

And also, which RAM manufaturer should I choose? I'm debating between Corsair and Crucial and OCZ, but I'm probably choosing Crucial because Corsair and OCZ don't have 1 GB DDR400 SODIMM RAM sticks.

Thanks for all your help!

 

[majistic]

Well since Dual Channel isn't supported you might as well just get 2x1GB of whatever is supported, DDR400.

 

[strategist333]

I don't need that much memory though.. I'm not going to be doing video editing, and I'll be doing light gaming.. so I don't think 2 GB is necessary

 

[DJ-CHRIS]

5b, 2x 1 gig sticks is waaaaaaay too much

 

[strategist333]

But for all of the B choices, one chip is DDR333 and another is DDR400, why not just get both DDR333 (A choices)?

 

[SHAWN]

Go with 1gb (2x512mb) DDR400

 

[strategist333]

Alright... I've narrowed the choices down: 5A, 8, or 9..

Three final factors affecting my decision:

A) How much would I be able to sell 2x 256MB DDR333 SODIMM for (remember, they're HP-designed)?

B) Is $40 or $50 minus what I earn from part A worth the upgrade from DDR333 to DDR400?

C) Will future OS/programs require over 896 of RAM (the other 128 is for shared graphics) to run?

Thanks for all your help!