Hey guys,

I want to upgrade the RAM on my laptop to 2GB so I can buy and play Sims 3.

It's an Acer Travelmate 2310 (yep, ancient, had it 4 yrs). I've googled various things but don't feel computer confident enough to know what RAM to buy, and how exactly to install it.

Any help much appreciated.

xxxxxxxx

A quick google search seems to tell me that your laptop uses PC2700 memory. It has two memory slots, so you'll want to buy two 1GB PC2700 DIMMs. They're easily replaceable by even non-technical people (my dad did his no problem), just a couple of clips and it pops right out.

Here's a link to NewEgg (my personal favorite distributor) to see what kind of thing you're looking at:

Newegg.com - Crucial 1GB 200-Pin DDR SO-DIMM DDR 333 (PC 2700) Laptop Memory Model CT12864X335 - Laptop Memory

Unfortunately, I have no knowledge of what types of online distributors you've got in the UK, but even if you were to walk into an electronics store, if you were to tell them that you needed two 1GB PC2700 memory modules for a laptop, they should be able to help you.

ETA: Oh, and by the way, you might have trouble finding that part in a store. Online would probably be your best bet.

Also, make sure to buy two 1-meg chips that are exactly the same. This shouldn't be hard, but I just wanted to make sure that little detail doesn't get glossed over. A lot of times you can get them together in a kit; do that if you can.

Gina i use and buy from this site.Computer Memory Upgrades for Every Computer and Camera | 4 All Memory

Originally Posted by Pop Not Soda

Also, make sure to buy two 1-meg chips that are exactly the same.

I hope she's not gonna buy 1-meg chips.

But yeah, it is worth noting that while it's not a definite, there is a possibility that two differently-branded DIMMs will conflict with each other. I've never actually seen it on two DIMMs that were actually rated the same thing (though I have seen it when you try to mix, say, PC2700 and PC3200 together, even though that's theoretically supposed to work), but it's always best practice to buy identical hardware.

For everyday people, I always recommend using Crucial.com (or Crucial UK)'s memory checker thingy. You can either click the button and have it check your system for whatever RAM is already in your comp, or you can look it up using the drop down boxes. It'll also tell you how much RAM your computer can use without wasting (older computers obviously don't have support for like 8GB of RAM or anything like that).

I looked up your laptop and Drew is right you need 2 1GB DDR PC2700 Memory modules. You can even buy them right there from the website if you want.

Here's the link for your laptop's memory: Computer memory upgrades for Acer TravelMate 2300 Series Laptop/Notebook from Crucial.com (only £ 82.78 for the two after tax and shipping)

I dont know if you have bestbuy there but if you do just walk your laptop in and they do it for you

Originally Posted by Gina

Hey guys,

I want to upgrade the RAM on my laptop to 2GB so I can buy and play Sims 3.

It's an Acer Travelmate 2310 (yep, ancient, had it 4 yrs). I've googled various things but don't feel computer confident enough to know what RAM to buy, and how exactly to install it.

Any help much appreciated.

xxxxxxxx

Madam,
The one thing no one has mentioned yet is installing it. Installing Laptop RAM is a very different animal then desktop RAM. Desktop RAM installs are 10 minute operation or less. Laptops, unless you know what you are doing, have to be done by pros. I personally dont like BestBuys and would recommend more of a mom&pop stand alone store but see what they recommend for your system and then if its not tooooo outrageous, let them install it for you. May I end with saying I would lick you from head to toe?

Thank you so much everyone for being so helpful. I think I read somewhere that I just unscrew the middle panel at the bottom of my laptop and it goes in there. I might get my bro to do it. Although seeing that it's quite expensive for the things, I will probably just wait a while and hope my deep WANT for Sims 3 goes away.

Also, what the hell is GHz? Apparently I need 2 GHz to run Sims 3 too, and I only have 1.4 GHz.

Maybe I should just give up?

Originally Posted by Gina

Thank you so much everyone for being so helpful. I think I read somewhere that I just unscrew the middle panel at the bottom of my laptop and it goes in there. I might get my bro to do it. Although seeing that it's quite expensive for the things, I will probably just wait a while and hope my deep WANT for Sims 3 goes away.

Also, what the hell is GHz? Apparently I need 2 GHz to run Sims 3 too, and I only have 1.4 GHz.

Maybe I should just give up?

You mentioned its 4yrs old.Personally i'd just buy a new laptop instead of upgrading.If you do decide to get a new laptop make sure it has at least a 2GHz dual core processor and 2gigs of RAM as a minimum.Theres a few companies that'll still sell them with XP,avoid Vista tho.

Yeah, I was starting to think that. I can't really afford a new laptop anytime soon though. Will just have to forget about the Sims for now!

I tend to put parts in my computers that i buy that will give me at least 5-6yrs of service.By then its just better to buy new again.

Well i can ram you if you want me to

Originally Posted by Gina

Thank you so much everyone for being so helpful. I think I read somewhere that I just unscrew the middle panel at the bottom of my laptop and it goes in there. I might get my bro to do it. Although seeing that it's quite expensive for the things, I will probably just wait a while and hope my deep WANT for Sims 3 goes away.

Also, what the hell is GHz? Apparently I need 2 GHz to run Sims 3 too, and I only have 1.4 GHz.

Maybe I should just give up?

Installing RAM will most likely be a cinch. Don't listen to Blunderman that it will need to be done by a pro. Especially given that it's got an access panel for RAM, it's just one screw and a couple spring pins, very simple. The RAM will only go in one way and won't let you install it wrong, so don't force it.

As for the requirements for the game, from what my sister told me about it, if you can play The Sims 2, you should be okay playing the third installment as well. It may be a BIT slower, but I think you should be okay. Processor speed requirements aren't hard and fast.

Originally Posted by Gina

Yeah, I was starting to think that. I can't really afford a new laptop anytime soon though. Will just have to forget about the Sims for now!

It is definitely worth thinking about. The fact of the matter is that 2GB of RAM will probably cost you anywhere from £50-80, whereas a new laptop will run you maybe £350. It will take longer to save up, but ultimately it will be more worth it in the long run.

On the other hand, if you feel that upgrading the memory in your laptop will make it last another several months, a year, maybe two, then the 70 quid that you drop on it will be MORE worth it.

Originally Posted by Gina

Thank you so much everyone for being so helpful. I think I read somewhere that I just unscrew the middle panel at the bottom of my laptop and it goes in there. I might get my bro to do it. Although seeing that it's quite expensive for the things, I will probably just wait a while and hope my deep WANT for Sims 3 goes away.

Also, what the hell is GHz? Apparently I need 2 GHz to run Sims 3 too, and I only have 1.4 GHz.

Maybe I should just give up?

If that is the case, then ignore my post. Everything that is except for the licking part.

Originally Posted by Gina

Yeah, I was starting to think that. I can't really afford a new laptop anytime soon though. Will just have to forget about the Sims for now!

Gina dear, i am sorry, but even with a RAM upgrade your computer aint gonna make it (you should have pm'd me on the other board).

You are running an old Celeron CPU, you dont have enough horsepower to do the job dear.

Originally Posted by Gina

Yeah, I was starting to think that. I can't really afford a new laptop anytime soon though. Will just have to forget about the Sims for now!

Not necessarily. How many of us need to subscribe to your site before you can afford a laptop?

The only problem is the laptop top may not even be able to handle 2 gb of memory. Because sometimes laptops cant support that much depends on how much the comp came with to begin with.

Originally Posted by Matt450

The only problem is the laptop top may not even be able to handle 2 gb of memory. Because sometimes laptops cant support that much depends on how much the comp came with to begin with.

It's already been verified by a couple people that the maximum memory on that comp is 2GB. Two slots, 1GB apiece. She simply needs to remove what was there to begin with (if it was four years ago, I'm guessing 512).

Originally Posted by Angry_American

Gina dear, i am sorry, but even with a RAM upgrade your computer aint gonna make it (you should have pm'd me on the other board).

You are running an old Celeron CPU, you dont have enough horsepower to do the job dear.

I was scared you would say this! Uh ohhhhh. The Sims dream is over!

Originally Posted by Pop Not Soda

Not necessarily. How many of us need to subscribe to your site before you can afford a laptop?

Ah haaaa, I like your thinking young man! Better hurry up and get that site up hey? haha.

oh you want to play The Sims 3...well yea in that case it'd be cheaper to get a new laptop, or even a new used one (like off craigslist or whatever).

Just keep in mind the system requirements of The Sims 3...and they go up if you get a computer with Vista...

Of course you could always come to my house and play The Sims 3...although the plan ticket could run you nearly 600 GBP...lol

Not to mention a 400 dollar lappie prolly wont cut it either, stay away from teh junk computers. A decent lappy for all around use usually will start at the 800 dollar range, typically 1200 to 1300 dollars for a good solid system that will last 5-7 years.

Hmmm, I'm only looking at £400 ones at the moment! Although until my site opens/I get a job, it's pointless me looking anyway!

Woe is meeeeeeeee.

In that price range you will get an underpowered machine usually using a chipset that cant even support full bus speeds, with a celeron or AMD CPU (puke) and not enough or bare minimum amounts of ram. Machines in this price range usually wont last more than a few years and leave a bitter taste in your mouth as they are slow and buggy as a result of the cobbled hardware. All the big makers are guilty of putting out machines of this crap caliber, but I refuse to sell em.