Identifying Laptop RAM

[KlumpDud]

I have the HP Pavilion zv5000 (http://www9.shopping.com/xPF-HP_ZV5320US_Notebook_HP_ZV5320US_Notebook) laptop with 512 MB of RAM. I want to buy another 512 MB. How do I determine exactly what type/speed of RAM I need to buy?

Thanks.

[coldplay055]

yours looks like basic ddr 2700 memory. if you have any more questions crucial provides a site to look up your model. www.crucial.com If you just need extra memory and you dont care what brand it is staples has good sales on pny notebook memory, or go to my favorite site www.newegg.com which always has good deals on memory and other items

[glc]

Look it up at Crucial and buy it from the configurator for guaranteed compatibility.

[KlumpDud]

I'm looking on crucial.com but here's the problem: my laptop has two different model numbers on it so I'm not sure which one to pick. On one part of my laptop it says "zv5000" and another part says "zv5320us".

Here are the two different ones selected on crucial.com:

zv5000 Series (http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.asp?Mfr%2BProductline=HP+-+Compaq%2BPavilion+Notebooks&mfr=HP+-+Compaq&tabid=AM&model=Pavilion+zv5000+Series&submit=Go)

zv5300US Series (http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.asp?Mfr%2BProductline=HP+-+Compaq%2BPavilion+Notebooks&mfr=HP+-+Compaq&tabid=AM&model=Pavilion+zv5300US+Series&submit=Go)

They seem to be different RAMs, which one do I choose?

[glc]

The proper model number is the one that's on the sticker on the bottom, not what's on the lid or the bezel that's part of the plastic. I looked up the zv5320us on Corsair's configurator and it lists System Select ram, not generic value ram. Newegg has a 1gb module in stock, but not a 512mb, and it's more expensive than the Crucial direct from Crucial.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145121
http://www.crucial.com/store/MPartspecs.Asp?mtbpoid=25136DD8A5CA7304&WSMD=Pavilion+zv5300US+Series&WSPN=CT463521

Here's a decent deal on a 512, and this company is reputable:

http://www.memoryx.net/hepapanozvme93.html

NOTE: If you have 512, you already have a 256 in the ONLY slot - it's gotta go to put a bigger one in. Buy a 512, and you will only have 768 when you are done.

Will generic ram work? Maybe. Do you *have* to use DDR333? Maybe not. You don't know till you try - or find a post somewhere from someone who has the same notebook and HAS tried something else. Buying from Crucial's (and other companies) configurator guarantees compatibility, read the terms for whoever you use.

[KlumpDud]

The proper model number is the one that's on the sticker on the bottom, not what's on the lid or the bezel that's part of the plastic.

Ok, then mine is definitely a zv5320us.

NOTE: If you have 512, you already have a 256 in the ONLY slot - it's gotta go to put a bigger one in. Buy a 512, and you will only have 768 when you are done.

Woah, you just confused me. If I have 512 (which I do), how could I have 256 in the ONLY slot? That doesn't make sense.

[KlumpDud]

Wait, you mean I have 2 slots and each one has 256, correct?

I see what you're saying now. But they don't make sticks of 768, right? So I think I'm gonna want to purchase a 1GB stick to give me a total of 1280 which is the max supported.

[glc]

No, there's 256 soldered onto the motherboard. You have that plus a 256 chip in the only expansion slot.

[KlumpDud]

Oh, ok. Well, what I said still stands, right? I have a max of 1280. I have a permanent 256 and a removable 256. I can take out the removable 256 and replace it with a 1GB module for a total of 1280. Correct?

So is this (http://www.crucial.com/store/MPartspecs.Asp?mtbpoid=25136DD8A5CA7304&WSMD=Pavilion+zv5300US+Series&WSPN=CT463521) the one I want?

[glc]

Yes.