Upgrading RAM

BingoMorris · 07-24-2008, 08:55 AM

I recently installed 2GB of RAM which turned out to be faulty... so I'm back down to the single 256mb stick. I have done some research on my PC and it is capable of taking a total of 4GB of RAM (1GB per slot).

I have read on a few occasions that installing the maximum amount of RAM may not always increase performance especially if the componants in the PC don't require the maximum amount.

My questions are...

1) Checking "My System" on the left under my name, does anyone have an oppinion if it is worth installing the full 4GB of RAM or would it run just as well on 2GB?

2) If I install 2GB again, is it better to run two 1GB sticks instead of four 512MB sticks?

guru88 · 07-24-2008, 09:17 AM

do you have the 64 bit version of windows or 32? a 32 bit version isnt going to make use of the full 4 gb if you decide to throw it in...
also, what all are you doing the system? if your not doing anything that will utilize the upgrade you wont notice any difference

BingoMorris · 07-24-2008, 09:27 AM

32bit. Well I am quite a gamer, I use the Steam platform quite a lot which is when I notice the lack of RAM (currently with the 256MB stick I always get the "Windows virtual memory too low" message when I'm playing on it).

I have a tendancy to push my poor little PC as hard as I can, plus along with the gaming aspect of things I have Spyware Doctor, Comodo firewall and Comodo Anti-Virus running constantly on my PC.

Thanks.

wrench97 · 07-25-2008, 01:29 PM

I don't think you will see a lot of improvement by installing more than 2Gig of RAM, Just make sure you use the memory manufactures configurer to get the correct modules.

http://www.corsair.com/configurator/default.aspx
http://www.crucial.com/

07-24-2008, 08:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
BingoMorris Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 70 OS: XP Pro SP2 My System	Upgrading RAM I recently installed 2GB of RAM which turned out to be faulty... so I'm back down to the single 256mb stick. I have done some research on my PC and it is capable of taking a total of 4GB of RAM (1GB per slot). I have read on a few occasions that installing the maximum amount of RAM may not always increase performance especially if the componants in the PC don't require the maximum amount. My questions are... 1) Checking "My System" on the left under my name, does anyone have an oppinion if it is worth installing the full 4GB of RAM or would it run just as well on 2GB? 2) If I install 2GB again, is it better to run two 1GB sticks instead of four 512MB sticks?

07-24-2008, 09:17 AM	#2 (permalink)
guru88 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 100 OS: vista ultimate service pack 1	Re: Upgrading RAM do you have the 64 bit version of windows or 32? a 32 bit version isnt going to make use of the full 4 gb if you decide to throw it in... also, what all are you doing the system? if your not doing anything that will utilize the upgrade you wont notice any difference

07-24-2008, 09:27 AM	#3 (permalink)
BingoMorris Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 70 OS: XP Pro SP2 My System	Re: Upgrading RAM 32bit. Well I am quite a gamer, I use the Steam platform quite a lot which is when I notice the lack of RAM (currently with the 256MB stick I always get the "Windows virtual memory too low" message when I'm playing on it). I have a tendancy to push my poor little PC as hard as I can, plus along with the gaming aspect of things I have Spyware Doctor, Comodo firewall and Comodo Anti-Virus running constantly on my PC. Thanks.

07-25-2008, 01:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
wrench97 Tech Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3,287 OS: XPSP2	Re: Upgrading RAM I don't think you will see a lot of improvement by installing more than 2Gig of RAM, Just make sure you use the memory manufactures configurer to get the correct modules. http://www.corsair.com/configurator/default.aspx http://www.crucial.com/ __________________