Help Upgrading RAM

W

WiseWarrior

Geek Trainee
I just Installed 512mb of ram to add to the 256mb already installed.I was just wondering how to get the most performance out of the memory I have.
Does it make any differnece if I swap slots w/ the 256mb of ram and put the 512 in the first slot?Or does the ram work jointly w the other?

Not sure if you need all this but just wanted to make sure I gave enough info,

Specs
-------
Model:Compaq Presario #:s4010cl Manufacturer Site
Os: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
cpu: Intel Celeron, 2400 MHz
Mobo: Asus P4G533-LA
Physical Memory:
Total 759 MB
Used 270 MB
Free 489 MB


[ DIMM1: Smart Modular SM5643285D8N6CLIBH ]

Memory Module Properties:
Module Name Smart Modular SM5643285D8N6CLIBH
Serial Number None
Manufacture Date Week 31 / 2003
Module Size 256 MB (1 rank, 4 banks)
Module Type Unbuffered
Memory Type DDR SDRAM
Memory Speed PC2700 (166 MHz)
Module Width 64 bit
Module Voltage SSTL 2.5
Error Detection Method None
Refresh Rate Reduced (7.8 us), Self-Refresh

[ DIMM2: Kingston K ]

Memory Module Properties:
Module Name Kingston K
Serial Number 6D0C6542h
Manufacture Date Week 18 / 2006
Module Size 512 MB (2 ranks, 4 banks)
Module Type Unbuffered
Memory Type DDR SDRAM
Memory Speed PC3200 (200 MHz)
Module Width 64 bit
Module Voltage SSTL 2.5
Error Detection Method None
Refresh Rate Reduced (7.8 us), Self-Refresh

North Bridge Properties:
North Bridge Intel Brookdale-G i845GL
Revision 03
Package Type 760 Pin FC-BGA
Package Size 3.75 cm x 3.75 cm
Core Voltage 1.5 V
In-Order Queue Depth 12
 
If you don't have dual channel RAM, which you shouldn't then RAM is RAM.

Does your system run? Usually you can not mix varying speeds of RAM. You have both DDR2700 and DDR3200. Hmmm not good.

If your system runs, then you should put your new RAM in the first slot and the old in the second. If your system doesn't run, then toss out the old RAM.
 
According to specs, I don't think you can get more out of it. Your 512MB RAM is not running at 200Mhz because the other one is running @ 166. I also don't think (not sure), the board supports Dual Channel. Even then, both modules will be running at 166, effective 333 MHz. Some dual channel board has colour coding slots, meaning you seat 2 banks of module into the same coloured slots. Check the board specs. it explains in detail. Last but not least, all memory modules (especiallly the chips) should be of identical brand ensuring same read/write speed and latency delay.

But undoubtedly, you pc runs faster simply because of more RAM.
 
kenji san said:
If you don't have dual channel RAM, which you shouldn't then RAM is RAM.

Does your system run? Usually you can not mix varying speeds of RAM. You have both DDR2700 and DDR3200. Hmmm not good.

If your system runs, then you should put your new RAM in the first slot and the old in the second. If your system doesn't run, then toss out the old RAM.
Click to expand...


My system runs w/ out any errors from what I see.When I got the ram from BestBuy I asked the tech guys there"geek squad" and showed them my specs and they said I needed pc2700, which is what it says on the box, I dont know why the report I posted that came from "everest home" is saying pc3200 thats odd I know this ram is compatible w/ alot of machines and it is compatible w/ my mobo and such says so on the box anyway.But I dont want to mess anything up so I would appreciate some more input perferibly from the senior members on this issue.

Your help is appreciated!
 
So should I swap slots with the 256 ram or not?I'm not seeing a performance boost like I expected.
Another thing,why does it say im using like 500mb of virtual memory?If I turn off the paging file will it move it to the physical memory and speed things up?What exactly is the paging file used for?Sorry kinda new to this stuff I have alot of questions.

Thank You all for your time!
 
WiseWarrior said:
So should I swap slots with the 256 ram or not?I'm not seeing a performance boost like I expected.
Another thing,why does it say im using like 500mb of virtual memory?If I turn off the paging file will it move it to the physical memory and speed things up?What exactly is the paging file used for?Sorry kinda new to this stuff I have alot of questions.

Thank You all for your time!
Click to expand...

Swapping the slots won't boost performance. It used to be the case in the past though. Click follows for more detail.

Windows XP Virtual Memory / Paging File
Virtual memory - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 
i would say trash the old one keep the 512 unless u need lots of ram but slower performace like me i have a gameing computer that i rtyied something like you but hte perforace was bad so i took the lower mb one out and added to my server beucase it dosent need to be fast but if i open something on it while a few ppl are in the game they lag while the program is opening but with the little extra even if its not urta fast helps alot

so if u game a lot only use 512 if u muti task a lot use both
 
kenji san said:
If you don't have dual channel RAM, which you shouldn't then RAM is RAM.

Does your system run? Usually you can not mix varying speeds of RAM. You have both DDR2700 and DDR3200. Hmmm not good.

If your system runs, then you should put your new RAM in the first slot and the old in the second. If your system doesn't run, then toss out the old RAM.
Click to expand...


That's only a problem if his CPU requires PC3200. From what I can see, it doesn't. He'd be fine with PC1600.

RAM PCxxxx ratings are like tire ratings: they're the maximum supported speeds and will work fine running slower speeds.

The i845 chipset the motherboard uses does not have a dual-channel memory capability, so the RAM order shouldn't matter.

You will always use a page file under Windows.
 
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