Can I upgrade RAM.....

My girlfriend is running the following:

Windows 7 Home Premium 32-Bit SP1
Intel Pentium Dual CPU E2140 @ 1.60GHz
1.0GB RAM
Intel 82945G Express Chipset Family

Now, there are only two RAM slots in this Compaq Presario. I would like to increase the RAM as much as possible because the computer runs very slow. I know it is not a malware issue, and the processor seems to be acceptable. I need to know how to determine the maximum amount of RAM I can upgrade to that will not compromise the system. I would like to increase it to 4GB (2-2GB sticks). Could one of you fine knowledgeable people let me know of a way to determine the maximum amount that will work on the system? Even an upgrade to 2GB would show a significant increase in speed and loss of lag time. Thank you for your time. I am still researching this online so I will post if I find the answer before someone gets to this post.

Cheers!

 

Also, does anyone know of a good place to get quality RAM at a decent price. (please read as CHEAP).

 

http://www.crucial.com/
Use their system scanner and it will tell you what you can use on your system.

 

Hi my friend , upgrade your ram is suggested with win 7 , you could help by this utility

http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/

ensuring the type of memory you need :wave

 

Now the real question that I have. 2GB is the max the system will take, so says HP. Will paying for two 1GB RAM sticks even show a considerable difference in speed and performance or would I be better off saving up a bit for a new desktop that has more RAM, a faster processor, etc? Definitely will not be a Compaq, not my favorite computer. I cannot understand how my laptop has enough room for 4GB's of RAM but this POS can only handle 2GB. Is there anything else I can do to increase the amount of RAM that it will take? I am thinking probably not without altering the motherboard, which I am not willing to do with this thing. I can get another desktop with better everything and turn this into a kids game machine. Just curious if I will even see a noticeable difference between 1 and 2GB of RAM. Thanks for the help all!

 

I could be wrong, but the system shipped with Windows Vista and she upgraded to Windows 7. I would assume 7 uses more RAM than Vista. Also, I am of the opinion that 2GB over 1GB will not show a considerable difference. I have increased the virtual memory and have not noticed any difference. Verification is all I am looking for. Thanks again all!

 

Something I ran across as a possible solution for how slow this thing runs; SSD..how can I find out if this system is compatible, will actually increase speed, should I still increase RAM (from what I understand they operate differently and are both used simultaneously). Any information is appreciated. Since SSD is relatively cheap considering the amount of GBs you can acquire I would think this might be a reasonable alternative to replacing the system. So, by adding another 1GB of RAM, and say a 250GB SSD, would I definitely notice an increase in the speed of this computer?

 

If you would like to look over about the type of your hdd you can run this tool

http://majorgeeks.com/CrystalDiskInfo_d5931.html

if your installation is win 7 32 bit ( 2 gb of ram is ok ) if your installation is win 7 64 bit ( 4 gb of ram is necessary ) , take a sharp eyed in this topic

http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/86886-32-bit-vs-64-bit-comparison.html

yes ssd is one positive step of the speed of your computer :wave

 

A 250gb SSD on a system that maxes out at 2gb of RAM would in my opinion not show enough of an improvement for the amount of money that you'd have to spend to get it. That big of a SSD and extra RAM is close to the price of low end machines, which will have much more wiggle room when upgrading anyways. I'd say you should look at getting a new computer, keeping an eye on the specs. My wife's laptop is a 64 bit computer, but the motherboard maxes out at 4gb of RAM. There's no point to a manufacturer making it 64 bit when it can't access any more RAM than a 32 bit computer would. It just looks nice to make sales.

In the mean time, http://www.majorgeeks.com/CleanMem_d5993.html is an excellent RAM saver so the little RAM you do have is used properly.