[SOLVED] Please recommend RAM for my old system

Jonesing · 11-02-2008, 07:57 PM

Hi, I'm trying to run source engine games on a decrepit pc (seriously, it's all but held together with string) and it occured to me I might be able to get some cheap skanky RAM to make it a less painful experience. I have more or less zero technical knowledge beyond what RAM stands for so please be gentle.

I used everest and apparently I've got a Shuttle FN41 v1/v2 motherboard, currently with 1 stick of Corsair CMX512-2700LL PC2700 (166mhz) DDR SDRAM and 1 unused RAM slot.

I'm, rather obviously, looking for the most RAM for the least money, don't mind getting rid of the old stick if that's the best way to do it. If you could point me at something specific on amazon.co.uk if possible that would be great.

Sorry for asking you to do all the legwork, if you need more system information I'll do what I can but I probably can't tell you anything that everest can't tell me.

Thanks.

**simpswr** · 11-02-2008, 08:06 PM

You can go here, have the configuration tool scann your pc and it will tell you what size your system has and can handle http://www.crucial.com/

Then go here and buy it: http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_...eywords=pc2700

Jonesing · 11-02-2008, 08:34 PM

Thanks for the reply, I guess I'm looking at:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Crucial-1GB-...5682910&sr=1-8

Is there any technical reason I shouldn't buy one stick of that, put it in the spare slot and keep the old RAM already in there? Not saying there should be, I'm just vaguely aware that mix-and-match with RAM isn't the best idea(?)

Jonesing · 11-02-2008, 09:19 PM

Oh and one other thing, does the fact that I'm using SDRAM matter? I see that the amazon link you provided doesn't indicate that it does, and the crucial scan doesn't seem to think so either, but I thought it best to check.

When answering it helps to pretend you're trying to explain it to a 11 year old with ADD.

**simpswr** · 11-03-2008, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonesing

Is there any technical reason I shouldn't buy one stick of that, put it in the spare slot and keep the old RAM already in there?

What size is the stick do you have now? . . They need to be the same size for DDR ( Dual Data Rate ) to work . . gives you a perofrmance boost )

Not saying there should be, I'm just vaguely aware that mix-and-match with RAM isn't the best idea(?)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonesing

Oh and one other thing, does the fact that I'm using SDRAM matter?

PC2700 is SDRAM

I see that the amazon link you provided doesn't indicate that it does, and the crucial scan doesn't seem to think so either, but I thought it best to check.

When answering it helps to pretend you're trying to explain it to a 11 year old with ADD.

Jonesing · 11-03-2008, 06:46 AM

Hi again, I guess that clears up the SDRAM question nicely then :)

As for the other one, by size you mean how much memory does it have? 512MB is the current stick, so would that mean I'd be best off buying a pair of the new 1GB ones and ditching the old one?

**simpswr** · 11-03-2008, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonesing

Hi again, I guess that clears up the SDRAM question nicely then :)

As for the other one, by size you mean how much memory does it have? 512MB is the current stick, so would that mean I'd be best off buying a pair of the new 1GB ones and ditching the old one?

If your board accepts 1 Gig sticks, and if you want 2 Gig, yes . . otherwise just buy a 512 stick

Jonesing · 11-03-2008, 03:48 PM

Well ok then, that's everything I needed to know, I'll order 2 of those right away.

Thanks a million for your help with that simpswr! I just love using the internet like this, I'm so much more informed on RAM than I was 24 hours ago.

**simpswr** · 11-03-2008, 06:57 PM

Well done!!!

You can mark this thread as solved by clicking on the Thread Tools link in your first post . .

11-02-2008, 07:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jonesing Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 13 OS: Win 2K pro	[SOLVED] Please recommend RAM for my old system Hi, I'm trying to run source engine games on a decrepit pc (seriously, it's all but held together with string) and it occured to me I might be able to get some cheap skanky RAM to make it a less painful experience. I have more or less zero technical knowledge beyond what RAM stands for so please be gentle. I used everest and apparently I've got a Shuttle FN41 v1/v2 motherboard, currently with 1 stick of Corsair CMX512-2700LL PC2700 (166mhz) DDR SDRAM and 1 unused RAM slot. I'm, rather obviously, looking for the most RAM for the least money, don't mind getting rid of the old stick if that's the best way to do it. If you could point me at something specific on amazon.co.uk if possible that would be great. Sorry for asking you to do all the legwork, if you need more system information I'll do what I can but I probably can't tell you anything that everest can't tell me. Thanks.

11-02-2008, 08:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
simpswr Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 12,216 OS: XP, Vista, Win 7	Re: Please recommend RAM for my old system You can go here, have the configuration tool scann your pc and it will tell you what size your system has and can handle http://www.crucial.com/ Then go here and buy it: http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_...eywords=pc2700 __________________ Rich MemTest86 \| BenchTest \| Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help How to post a Screen Shot \| PC running slow?

11-02-2008, 08:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jonesing Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 13 OS: Win 2K pro	Re: Please recommend RAM for my old system Thanks for the reply, I guess I'm looking at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Crucial-1GB-...5682910&sr=1-8 Is there any technical reason I shouldn't buy one stick of that, put it in the spare slot and keep the old RAM already in there? Not saying there should be, I'm just vaguely aware that mix-and-match with RAM isn't the best idea(?)

11-02-2008, 09:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
Jonesing Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 13 OS: Win 2K pro	Re: Please recommend RAM for my old system Oh and one other thing, does the fact that I'm using SDRAM matter? I see that the amazon link you provided doesn't indicate that it does, and the crucial scan doesn't seem to think so either, but I thought it best to check. When answering it helps to pretend you're trying to explain it to a 11 year old with ADD.

11-03-2008, 06:46 AM	#6 (permalink)
Jonesing Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 13 OS: Win 2K pro	Re: Please recommend RAM for my old system Hi again, I guess that clears up the SDRAM question nicely then :) As for the other one, by size you mean how much memory does it have? 512MB is the current stick, so would that mean I'd be best off buying a pair of the new 1GB ones and ditching the old one?

11-03-2008, 03:48 PM	#8 (permalink)
Jonesing Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 13 OS: Win 2K pro	Re: Please recommend RAM for my old system Well ok then, that's everything I needed to know, I'll order 2 of those right away. Thanks a million for your help with that simpswr! I just love using the internet like this, I'm so much more informed on RAM than I was 24 hours ago.

11-03-2008, 06:57 PM	#9 (permalink)
simpswr Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 12,216 OS: XP, Vista, Win 7	Re: Please recommend RAM for my old system Well done!!! You can mark this thread as solved by clicking on the *Thread Tools* link in your first post . . __________________ Rich MemTest86 \| BenchTest \| Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help How to post a Screen Shot \| PC running slow?