King of RAMs
Written: Jun 20 '02 (Updated Jun 20 '02)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Stability, Compaq equivalent.
Cons: Price.
The Bottom Line: Quality RAM for your quality machine. Don't save on RAMs and go for Kingston.
|
|
|
| imreasztar's Full Review: Kingston 256 MB PC100 SDRAM (KTC311/256LP) |
I have ordered this memory module for my Compaq Armada M300 laptop. It was bought as a 128 MB model, but unfortunately 64MB is soldered on the motherboard, and the only empty slot was filled with the additional 64MB. My goal was to have 256 MB in the system for Windows XP. So, the only solution for me was to get the 64 MB off, and add a 256 MB module.
Earlier, for my desktop system I tried to save on every possible cent, and so used no-name memory modules. I had a very bad experience with this no-name memories, all versions of Windows were unstable. Than, for the recommendation of the IT Help Desk at the University, I switched from no-name to value RAMs, and have replaced the no-name RAMs to Kingston. The system became rock solid then. As time went by, I also upgraded the motherboard to a server class SuperMicro 370 SSA, and I run this system together for more than two years now, without any stability problems (w2k before, now XP), and had no problems yet.
Because my Armada was quite sluggish with 128 MB with XP, it was obvious that I have to purchase additional memory. I have checked the Compaq website for add-on memory, but they have very high prices. So, instead, I looked for other vendors. You have Micron, Crucial, PQI, PNY and others on the shelves, but because I had such a good experience with Kingston in my desktop computer, I decided to expand my budget, and go for Kingston.
The module arrived in a sealed plastic box, with instructions how to fit it on the motherboard. For my surprise, this particular model was labeled „Equiv. COMPAQ(R) P/N:161554-B21”, that means ordering the 256 MB directly from Compaq could end-up getting this memory, too. I took it out from the box, lifted up the keyboard, and replaced the 64 MB module with the new one. I had to change the Bios settings so the machine recognize the new memory, and booted to XP. At the system properties, I have switched off page file usage, I don’t think I will ever fill the 320 MB of my M300 ever with Office and web applications. So, now my system runs without page file, with the new memory, for more than two weeks now. It performs so well, that I have even forgotten about the memory upgrade, the system just runs, without any application to suddenly close or blue screens.
Kingston, the world's largest independent memory manufacturer, has over 2, 000 memory products. However, Kingston itself does not produce the memory chips, rather it buys them from Samsung, Toshiba or Micron, and puts assembles the memory module only. Then, the modules are tested on a very severe way to assure high quality in performance. This means, that if you have the a module with the same Samsung chips, and one is built by Samsung, one is built by Kingston, you can be sure, the Kingston works. The Samsung might perform well, too, but you don't have all the quality tests behind.
Many motherboards are picky about the ram you insert into them, especially brand names like IBM, DELL, Compaq, Gateway, and will run only with quality, value ram memory modules. If you really want to use cheaper memory modules, you should look for Asus or Gericom, for example, but when the machine starts to freeze, please, have a look on your memory. I really believe that low quality memory modules are just one fine source of blue screens in Windows, and they really don't cost that much nowadays, that you wouldn't be able to afford quality value rams.
All I can say, that I recommend Kingston modules, and please, don't save on memory, go for value rams, and because this particular model is also a Compaq equivalent, this is the right choice to give a boost to your laptop.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
imreasztar
|
|
Location: Budapest, Hungary
Reviews written: 28
Trusted by: 6 members
About Me:
Bio/chemical engineer who loves mobile tech
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.