Help with RAM?

S

Shiva

New Member
Hi there, I am Rachel and I am nearly clueless when it comes to computers. I have an HP Pavilion a800n from 2004 that my sister gave me not too long ago. It comes with 512 mb of RAM, though when I go to Control Panel>System>General it says I only have 448 mb. Well, I'm looking to get 1 gb of RAM, 2 sticks of 512 mb. I'm going to buy 2 identical sticks and chuck/sell/giveaway the RAM I have now.

My problem is knowing what kind of sticks I need to get. I googled 'RAM for HP Pavilion a800n' and got all these sites that sell RAM and provide information about what my system needs. One site says I need a DDR PC3200 while others say I need to get PC2700. Does it matter which one of those I get? Any addition help with this matter is also appreciated :D Also, any good, cheap places I can buy them from? I was thinking of buying them from a reputable seller on ebay. I have $100 to spend, but I'm pretty damn stingy, haha.

Thanks!
 
Thank you for the information :) If my computer can handle something other than DDR, I wouldn't mind getting it.
 
 
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Thank you both for the info/sites :)

StrangleHold, you and that one HP site says my computer can only handle 1 GB of RAM, but all the other sites I have been going to says it can handle 2 GB. I downloaded this program called SIW and it says it can handle up to 2 GB too. Do you think the HP site typoed? It does seem odd that a 2004 computer couldn't handle more than a gig.

I went to Best Buy today to look at their RAM, and geez, $65 for one 512 MB stick! I will definitely be ordering my duo from the net.

But thanks again to everyone who replied! I appreciate the help :) (and I apologize for my abuse of smilies... it's a habit of mine, heh)
 
You are right the first link at HP for Product Specifications says 1gb. The second link at HP for Motherboard Specifications says 2gbs.
 
Hi,
I think its better know what Chips use at your computer will easy to find its support the ram to. At HP find out is VIA KM400A and VIA VT8237. KM400A can support 6GB , for sure 2 GB no problem.
 
Alright, thank you :) I will buy it now. I want it here asap so I can go to Shattrath in WoW without lagging so badly, but $20 for shipping seems like such a waste. Decisions, decisions...
 
Yeah I do need a new graphics card. I suppose that will be next month's splurge.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a graphics card for this type of computer? I would probably get an nVidia of some sort. I know this isn't the correct forum for this, but since I'm here I thought I'd ask.

EDIT: Nevermind, I'll ask this in the proper forum.
 
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