Queston about upgrading Memory

[matt526]

right now I have 2x 512MB DDR2 PC2 4200
in a Dell Dimension 9100
can I simply just add 2x 1GB PC2 5300 or PC2 6400 in the two empty slots and have 3GB of memory
or do all 4 slots have to have the same size and PC2 number.
I have only upgraded memory once so I don't know a lot.

Thanks

[clocker]

What OS are you running?

To answer the original question- yes, you could add two more 1 gig sticks.
Depending on your OS though, 3GB might be overkill.
If you're using XP, just adding two more 512MB sticks would up you to 2GB total which should be plenty for most folks.

If you have Vista, then the more the merrier but your motherboard will determine how best to get there.
Some chipsets like to run a full compliment of RAM (all 4 slots filled) at a slower command rate, so adding two more modules might degrade the speed while raising the capacity.

This is a balancing act and really depends on the programs you run- some apps (like Photoshop) want mega amounts of RAM and quantity trumps speed as far as they are concerned.
Other programs prefer speed to RAM quantity so you can see that some experimenting to tailor your hardware specs to your software needs is going to be necessary.

[matt526]

I am running Vista and XP
and I am running games like Call of Duty 2 and (hopefully Call of Duty 4 when it comes out)
Medal of Honor-Air born and FIFA 08
I am hoping adding memory will help run these games better in Vista
because now I have to run all the games in XP
right now they run great in XP but not so well when I'm using Vista

[peat moss]

Funny topic eh ? Memory is so cheap now that we're talking about adding something like 2 gb like its nothing . Games keep driving the computer market and I hear it all the time from friends . " Peat I want to upgrade my memory to 8 gb " . Pardon you want to what ?


What O/S do you have and is it 64 bit ? Does your mobo support it , why do think you need too ? "Oh my games ." If the game runs fine with XP why not look to a better video card and continue to use XP . Friends of mine who are real FF7 fanatics cant use Vista as their online game does 'nt support it .:frusty:

[matt526]

the reason I would like to run the games in Vista is so I don't have to reboot to XP every time I want to play a game.
I am currently using a ATI RADEON X1650 Pro 512MB DDR PCI Express Graphics Card
Intel Pentium 4 HT 3 GHz

So if I add this with what I already have I should be fine, Right?
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Kingston-1GB-2x512MB-800MHz-DDR2-PC2-6400-Memory_W0QQitemZ170154152520QQihZ007QQcategoryZ111425QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[v0thanhtam]

If you mix the memory stix together (pc4200, 5300 & 6400) they will operate at the lowest speed which will be the pc4200.

[peat moss]

If you mix the memory stix together (pc4200, 5300 & 6400) they will operate at the lowest speed which will be the pc4200.

Yes your right but not like Matt could tell the difference .
Hav' nt we all been disappointed after upgrading say from 1 gb to 2 gb ? After awhile you can see a difference while multi tasking ,say converting a xvid while surfing . :dabs:

[digmen1]

On this subject if you have 512 meg in a new machine (ex a retail chain),

Can you or should you upgrade by adding 1 gig to 1.5 or 2 gig to 2.5

Or should you take out the 512 and make it just 1 or 2 gig ?

Regards

Digby

[dodgy368]

On this subject if you have 512 meg in a new machine (ex a retail chain),

Can you or should you upgrade by adding 1 gig to 1.5 or 2 gig to 2.5

Or should you take out the 512 and make it just 1 or 2 gig ?

Regards

Digby

As long as the ram is compatible and your pc can handle 2.5 then leave it in. ;)