[SOLVED] Clarifying memory upgrade instructions

**defoe43** · 08-23-2009, 02:39 PM

I have an old Compaq Presario from 2001 running Windows XP with an Compaq (HP) motherboard (with Pentium 4 CPU). It has only three memory slots with currently two sticks of Samsung 256 MB PC133 SDRAM. The motherboard BUS info calls for SDR SDRAM, 64 bit, 133 MHz (using the Everest report program to look at it.) Compaq provides no support for the computer due to its age.

Unfortunately, I didn't look at the guidelines here, and this morning I purchased a stick of Corsair 512 MB PC133 SDRAM thinking I could just install it in the third slot for a total of 1 GB RAM.

Now after reading about the single channel dual channel information, I'm wondering whether I can install it after all or whether I need to remove the old memory altogether and get another stick of 512. I can still purchase another stick of the exact memory I already have but that still wouldn't get me up to 1 GB with only three slots.

A couple of questions:

1. Does three slots mean they are triple channel or three single channel slots?

2. Should I even try to put the new single stick of memory in the third slot, or not risk it?

3. Can I buy a different brand of 512 or should I really try to get another one of these same sticks?

Thank you so much!

**wrench97** · 08-23-2009, 02:48 PM

PC133 didn't run dual and single channel it's single channel only so if the motherboard will support 512meg sticks it should work. Did you use the Corsair configuration utility?
http://www.corsair.com/configurator/default.aspx

**defoe43** · 08-23-2009, 03:29 PM

I did but it only shows a few Compaq models. I'm looking at Crucial.com but unfortunately, it doesn't show my exact model # (which I just figured out). I have the Compaq Presario 5000T series, model 5SPXE1. Crucial only lists the 5SPXEG, which does support 512 MB but I have no idea how similar it is to my actual model.

ETA: I found quite a few other sites like Crucial.com that did list the model number that I have. It says it supports up to 3 GB in three bays, so I can use it!

So my final clarification is that since it is a single channel processor, it doesn't matter if the memory sticks are the same size or brand. They will work anyway since it's reading them separately?

Thanks a million!

**wrench97** · 08-23-2009, 03:50 PM

It's the motherboard and ram (Dual channel didn't appear until DDR)that make it single channel but yes it'll work.

**defoe43** · 08-23-2009, 05:10 PM

Thank you again! I installed it and it works great.

**wrench97** · 08-23-2009, 05:16 PM

Good to hear:)

08-23-2009, 02:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
defoe43 I helped the forums. Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 12 OS: XP	[SOLVED] Clarifying memory upgrade instructions I have an old Compaq Presario from 2001 running Windows XP with an Compaq (HP) motherboard (with Pentium 4 CPU). It has only three memory slots with currently two sticks of Samsung 256 MB PC133 SDRAM. The motherboard BUS info calls for SDR SDRAM, 64 bit, 133 MHz (using the Everest report program to look at it.) Compaq provides no support for the computer due to its age. Unfortunately, I didn't look at the guidelines here, and this morning I purchased a stick of Corsair 512 MB PC133 SDRAM thinking I could just install it in the third slot for a total of 1 GB RAM. Now after reading about the single channel dual channel information, I'm wondering whether I can install it after all or whether I need to remove the old memory altogether and get another stick of 512. I can still purchase another stick of the exact memory I already have but that still wouldn't get me up to 1 GB with only three slots. A couple of questions: 1. Does three slots mean they are triple channel or three single channel slots? 2. Should I even try to put the new single stick of memory in the third slot, or not risk it? 3. Can I buy a different brand of 512 or should I really try to get another one of these same sticks? Thank you so much!

08-23-2009, 02:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,649 OS: Win7	Re: Clarifying memory upgrade instructions PC133 didn't run dual and single channel it's single channel only so if the motherboard will support 512meg sticks it should work. Did you use the Corsair configuration utility? http://www.corsair.com/configurator/default.aspx __________________ Power Supply and Selection

08-23-2009, 03:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
defoe43 I helped the forums. Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 12 OS: XP	Re: Clarifying memory upgrade instructions I did but it only shows a few Compaq models. I'm looking at Crucial.com but unfortunately, it doesn't show my exact model # (which I just figured out). I have the Compaq Presario 5000T series, model 5SPXE1. Crucial only lists the 5SPXEG, which does support 512 MB but I have no idea how similar it is to my actual model. ETA: I found quite a few other sites like Crucial.com that did list the model number that I have. It says it supports up to 3 GB in three bays, so I can use it! So my final clarification is that since it is a single channel processor, it doesn't matter if the memory sticks are the same size or brand. They will work anyway since it's reading them separately? Thanks a million! Last edited by defoe43; 08-23-2009 at 03:36 PM.

08-23-2009, 03:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,649 OS: Win7	Re: Clarifying memory upgrade instructions It's the motherboard and ram (Dual channel didn't appear until DDR)that make it single channel but yes it'll work. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

08-23-2009, 05:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
defoe43 I helped the forums. Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 12 OS: XP	Re: Clarifying memory upgrade instructions Thank you again! I installed it and it works great.

08-23-2009, 05:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,649 OS: Win7	Re: [SOLVED] Clarifying memory upgrade instructions Good to hear:) __________________ Power Supply and Selection