how much memory for a laptop do i need?

Question

i have a compaq presario cq61-411wm with windows 7 premium 64bit. i realize the max memory is 4gb and i am aware of the type of memory needed. my real question on this is why do i have an open slot? i popped open the memory slot and there is only one 2gb stick in the first slot and the second is empty? typically i was led to believe that both slots had to have memory. is it really the case that i only need to add one 2gb memory stick to this laptop to get it maxed at 4gb?

Answer 1

"i realize the max memory is 4gb and i am aware"

That's for 32bit not 64bit.



"why do i have an open slot?"

Because they're cheap



"add one 2gb memory stick to this laptop to get it maxed at 4gb?"

No. Throw out the old stick of RAM and replace it with 2x2GB sticks of RAM. Never mix and match RAM.

Answer 2

4gb memory limitation is for win 32bit OS only. So if you have win7 64bit you can install more than 4gb ram.

To the hardware part, memory slots are not always occupied. It's actually great that you don't have 2 separate 1gb. You can add memory to the open slot without any problem.

Answer 3

you can check by going to:

start

control panel

system - on the first display, near the bottom t will show the ram you got

but since you say the laptop max at 4gb and it only have 2gb

buy another 2gb and you're done

Answer 4

The amount of memory you need depends upon the softwares you use or what type of work you need to perform on the laptop. If you work with softwares that deals with heavy graphics, or calculations (like in some research ones), mathematical analysis etc then it would be better if you install another memory stick of 2 Gb.

Answer 5

yes max is 4GB and you only need one 2GB that matches

Answer 6

yup yup yup! for once, it really is that easy