Questions relating to RAM

DesR85 · Post by **DesR85** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 6:36 am

Hi. I might have plans to upgrade my current memory from 512MB of RAM to 1GB. I have doubts about doing this so, here are some questions:

First question. Is 1GB enough or should it be more than that?

Second question. On my rig, I currently have 2 x 256MB DDR RAM. Is it okay to install another 512MB of RAM? I have doubts because I've read that it might lead to some performance problems or something, though I could be wrong. That is what I'm not sure about.

Any answers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

EDIT: Don't know if this will help but I will post my system's specs nonetheless:

Intel Pentium IV 2.8 GHz HT Technology
P5GD1-Pro
2 x 256MB DDR RAM (Kingston)
ASUS Nvidia Geforce 6200
Western Digital 80GB Hard drive
BenQ DVD+/-RW and BenQ DVD-ROM
Windows XP Professional

Siberys · Post by **Siberys** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 6:59 am

I don't know how much of a gamer you are, but 1 gig is soon to become a minimum in required ram for video games. Though, if you're just a casual gamer, 1 gig is enough.

Also, most modern ram will stack with each other no matter the type. Kingston is especially good at this.

Also, make sure your PC can handle 1 gig of ram too, if you can't go above a certain amount, the whole thing might not even work.

DesR85 · Post by **DesR85** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 9:32 am

I am more of a casual gamer, actually.

As for the RAM, I did read the manual for my motherboard and it mentioned that it is able to support up till 4GB maximum (and I have 4 RAM slots on my motherboard). Well, glad it's okay to stack up on RAM.

Thanks for the advice.

Bluestorm · Post by **Bluestorm** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 10:15 am

Going from 512 to 1gig is not abad idea, you should see an over all windows improvement.
Going any more than that will not see a bigger increase, Unless it's for games or video editing etc.

Malta Soron · Post by **Malta Soron** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 6:38 pm

Indeed. If you don't run heavy applications 1GB will suit you well.

DesR85 wrote:Second question. On my rig, I currently have 2 x 256MB DDR RAM. Is it okay to install another 512MB of RAM? I have doubts because I've read that it might lead to some performance problems or something, though I could be wrong. That is what I'm not sure about.

Your doubt is not misplaced. If you just install a 512MB stick you won't be able to run your RAM in dual-channel anymore, which will severly hurt its performance.
The best you can do is buy a set of two 512MB sticks and sell the 256MB sticks. Not only will you be able to run it in dual-channel, but you can also be sure that the sticks is compitable with each other.

Btw, on RAM speed: unless you are going to overclock you won't need to buy RAM that is qualified to run over the motherboards maximum speed. (Note: I'm talking about the frequency here. RAM speed is also decided by its timings, but that's a way more complex story and not interesting for non-overclockers anyway.) For the P5GD1 Pro that is 200MHz = DDR400 = PC3200. You'll probably see the latter two values being used on packages. So if you go looking for RAM those are the highest numbers you need to buy. It could be that you find faster RAM (like the PC4000 I have), but that won't run at its full speed (because it's limited by your motherboard), so that would be a waste of money. You could buy RAM with a lower speed (although I doubt that you will find it), but then you'll have slower RAM which means its bandwidth is lower (which is bad).
If you're not going to overclock, your best bet would be to buy Value RAM from some major brand, like Kingston, Corsair, OCZ, G.Skill or Mushkin. Don't buy RAM from some strange, unknown brand, just because it's cheap, for it has a high probability of being really ****ty. And make sure you buy DDR RAM, not DDR2, for that is not compitable with your motherboard.

Xandax · Post by **Xandax** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 12:26 am

Malta Soron wrote:Indeed. If you don't run heavy applications 1GB will suit you well.

Your doubt is not misplaced. If you just install a 512MB stick you won't be able to run your RAM in dual-channel anymore, which will severly hurt its performance.
The best you can do is buy a set of two 512MB sticks and sell the 256MB sticks. Not only will you be able to run it in dual-channel, but you can also be sure that the sticks is compitable with each other.
<snip>.

Well- that'll only be a factor if the motherboard indeed supports dual-channel.
And for that matter, you can still run 2x256 MB ram and 1x512, and if getting more RAM make it a 512 module for the last. Dual channel runs with 2 modules being the same in two specific slots.
Also for "severly" - then that is a bit of overstating IMO. It will not be a sever hit on performance not running dual-channel, but if interested in getting every bit of performance - then I agree.

Malta Soron · Post by **Malta Soron** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 3:26 am

Xandax wrote:Well- that'll only be a factor if the motherboard indeed supports dual-channel.

It does.

DesR85 · Post by **DesR85** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 9:18 am

Thanks again, guys. Sorry I didn't reply earlier as I missed this thread a while back. I'll give it some thought before considering for an upgrade (planning to do so soon).