RAM question for Core 2 E4300 Vostro200

verstellung77 · 10-09-2007, 01:50 PM

I just received a Vostro200 mini tower with the Core 2 E4300 processor. It came with 1 GB RAM

I ordered an additional 1GB and now have a delima.

There are two 512 MB modules in the system (slots 1 and 3).

The additional 1GB is a single module. How do I configure this new memory?

Should the two 512's be placed in slots 1 & 2 and the 1 GB in slot 3? Should I return the 1 GB module and get two more 512's?

System Vitals:
Vostro 200 Mini-Tower
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E4300 (1.80GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 800FSB)
Windows XP Home

dai · 10-09-2007, 02:30 PM

buy a matching 1g stick and sell off the 2 512's

tre54321 · 10-09-2007, 02:54 PM

Frankly speaking, you can just plug in your rams at 512x2+1GB configurations, as most *newer* motherboards won't show signs of instability. But of course, you'll miss out the Dual Channel feature which theoretically provides better bandwidth.

Well, as dai mentioned, the best would be to get a matching 1GB pair. I'm sure we all won't want any potential upcoming issues. :) Four pairs of 512mb rams is just too plain messy and might hinder any of your future upgrade plans. =) Furthermore, some motherboards have knowns issues with having rams on all four slots, especially while overclocking.

**kinbard** · 10-09-2007, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tre54321

Frankly speaking, you can just plug in your rams at 512x2+1GB configurations, as most *newer* motherboards won't show signs of instability. But of course, you'll miss out the Dual Channel feature which theoretically provides better bandwidth.

I recently had to do it this way to get a pc up to par to install Vista on for program testing at work. It does work, but there does seem to be some instability. Could be attributed to something else, but I have a feeling it is the memory.

tre54321 · 10-09-2007, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kinbard

I recently had to do it this way to get a pc up to par to install Vista on for program testing at work. It does work, but there does seem to be some instability. Could be attributed to something else, but I have a feeling it is the memory.

Some motherboards do have problems running rams this way, however, not everyone encounters it, strange enough.
Of course, the safest bet would be running on the same specifications on both rams. Some motherboards even gives problems with a pair or rams being of different speed ratings (eg 533 paired with 667), which I somewhat find funny.

verstellung77 · 10-09-2007, 04:47 PM

What about just returning the 1 GB period and running it as is with 2x512 duel?

I don't really do any heavy gaming. Just web surfing, some YouTube watching, and Word/Excel applications....

Is 2x512 duel sufficient for this?

**TheMatt** · 10-09-2007, 06:58 PM

It definitely will be.

10-09-2007, 01:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
verstellung77 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 57 OS: XP Home - SP2 5.1.2600	RAM question for Core 2 E4300 Vostro200 I just received a Vostro200 mini tower with the Core 2 E4300 processor. It came with 1 GB RAM I ordered an additional 1GB and now have a delima. There are two 512 MB modules in the system (slots 1 and 3). The additional 1GB is a single module. How do I configure this new memory? Should the two 512's be placed in slots 1 & 2 and the 1 GB in slot 3? Should I return the 1 GB module and get two more 512's? System Vitals: Vostro 200 Mini-Tower Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E4300 (1.80GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 800FSB) Windows XP Home

10-09-2007, 02:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,732 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: RAM question for Core 2 E4300 Vostro200 buy a matching 1g stick and sell off the 2 512's __________________

10-09-2007, 02:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
tre54321 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 17 OS: Windows XP Pro SP2	Re: RAM question for Core 2 E4300 Vostro200 Frankly speaking, you can just plug in your rams at 512x2+1GB configurations, as most newer motherboards won't show signs of instability. But of course, you'll miss out the Dual Channel feature which theoretically provides better bandwidth. Well, as dai mentioned, the best would be to get a matching 1GB pair. I'm sure we all won't want any potential upcoming issues. :) Four pairs of 512mb rams is just too plain messy and might hinder any of your future upgrade plans. =) Furthermore, some motherboards have knowns issues with having rams on all four slots, especially while overclocking. Last edited by tre54321; 10-09-2007 at 02:56 PM.

10-09-2007, 04:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
verstellung77 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 57 OS: XP Home - SP2 5.1.2600	Re: RAM question for Core 2 E4300 Vostro200 What about just returning the 1 GB period and running it as is with 2x512 duel? I don't really do any heavy gaming. Just web surfing, some YouTube watching, and Word/Excel applications.... Is 2x512 duel sufficient for this?

10-09-2007, 06:58 PM	#7 (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	Re: RAM question for Core 2 E4300 Vostro200 It definitely will be. __________________ - 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