DDR Memory question

wolfeman · 03-10-2007, 10:26 AM

This is my first post, so I hope this is the right section. I've got a Dell Dimension 4700, using DDR2. It came with 4 256MB cards at 400 Mhz each. I upgraded and bought two Gskill 1GB cards at 533 Mhz each. My question is this: Would it be better to just keep the 2x1GB cards at 533 Mhz, or would it be okay to keep those but add two of the 256's back in at 400 Mhz as well. I didn't know which is better/faster.

Also, to be frank, I've been a bit disappointed that things don't seem to be any better/faster since adding the 1 GB. Maybe it will show up in something I do later, but it hasn't been any relative difference that I can see. I also added a 150GB 10,000 rpm Raptor, as well as a GEforce 7600GS......and nothing seems to be any different!

adamb_135 · 03-10-2007, 06:44 PM

Your computer can only be as fast as the weakest link, so if you put in 2 sticks of 533mhz ram and 2 sticks of 400mhz ram, it would me like just having 2.5 gigs of 400mhz ram.if you had the 400 mhz sticks in there that could be what's causing there to be no difference.

**TheMatt** · 03-11-2007, 03:07 PM

In addition, 32 bit Windows can't use more than 2 GB of RAM, so I would just keep any of the old sticks out.

wolfeman · 03-11-2007, 06:41 PM

Thanks much for the answers. I didn't realize the 2 GB limit due to 32-bit XP. I guess I'm going as fast as I can with my limitations on the Dell at this point.

If anybody has any other thoughts, I would love to hear them.

03-10-2007, 10:26 AM	#1 (permalink)
wolfeman Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 4 OS: Win XP	DDR Memory question This is my first post, so I hope this is the right section. I've got a Dell Dimension 4700, using DDR2. It came with 4 256MB cards at 400 Mhz each. I upgraded and bought two Gskill 1GB cards at 533 Mhz each. My question is this: Would it be better to just keep the 2x1GB cards at 533 Mhz, or would it be okay to keep those but add two of the 256's back in at 400 Mhz as well. I didn't know which is better/faster. Also, to be frank, I've been a bit disappointed that things don't seem to be any better/faster since adding the 1 GB. Maybe it will show up in something I do later, but it hasn't been any relative difference that I can see. I also added a 150GB 10,000 rpm Raptor, as well as a GEforce 7600GS......and nothing seems to be any different!

03-11-2007, 03:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	In addition, 32 bit Windows can't use more than 2 GB of RAM, so I would just keep any of the old sticks out. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

03-10-2007, 06:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
adamb_135 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: CA Posts: 159 OS: XP Pro My System	Your computer can only be as fast as the weakest link, so if you put in 2 sticks of 533mhz ram and 2 sticks of 400mhz ram, it would me like just having 2.5 gigs of 400mhz ram.if you had the 400 mhz sticks in there that could be what's causing there to be no difference.

03-11-2007, 06:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
wolfeman Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 4 OS: Win XP	Thanks much for the answers. I didn't realize the 2 GB limit due to 32-bit XP. I guess I'm going as fast as I can with my limitations on the Dell at this point. If anybody has any other thoughts, I would love to hear them.