Increasing RAM -- What kind, mixing and matching etc....

I dont know about this computer (it's a friends) but I want to upgrade the RAM.

Right now it has KVR-400X64C3A/512 - 512Mb DDR PC3200

A link to the product is here for more info: http://www.vdhsoft.be/specs/21633.htm

That is one of the RAM sticks in there right now. The other RAM stick in there is a RENDITION 512Mb DDR. I'm unfamiliar with the brand, but I've always liked Kingston, fwiw.

Anyways, the motherboard has 2 extra slots available. I simply don't know what the motherboard model or make is. The computer is running winXP and overall it's a bit sluggish. It could probably benefit from a reformat but theres just so much on it that I think this is more reasonable to get done in the next couple weeks.

My question is, what's the best bang for the buck to increase the RAM on this computer? Ideally I'd like to put a 1GB stick in each slot, but I'm not sure what you can do to mix and match RAM. For example, the ddr stuff is so much more expensive than the ddr2 stuff on newegg. Can I use ddr2 instead?

I'd really appreciate your help in getting this problem handled and finding out just what I can do to speed up this computer. Thank you.

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I simply don't know what the motherboard model or make is

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Sounds like a P4 system. If so, then it would be dual channel. You gotta give more info. We aren't psychic.

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Can I use ddr2 instead?

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NO! They are physically different.

Does the computer have a brand name on it? if so, which brand and what model number?

If no brand name, you might be able to read the motherboard name from this utility freeware.

Everest

The computer is custom made and does not have a brand associated with it. I will try that program though. Thank you.

Being custom made, Everest will find the motherboard model and number for you.

Sometimes, Everest can't read a motherboard name because it comes from Dell, or other branded computers.

Ok, the mobo program says it is:

Asus A8N-SLI

Lots of other info of course, so let me know whatever you need! Thanks!

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Asus A8N-SLI

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That should have been silk-screened on the board right between the PCI/PCIe slots. Kinda hard to miss it.

You can look up the ram on the Crucial configurator.
http://www.crucial.com/store/listpar...?model=A8N-SLI

I like Corsair, Crucial, OCZ or Kingston. Any of those brands of DDR 3200 will do you just fine.

As for mixing and matching, ideally you do want to put identical stick in the pair of slots for each channel. However, having enough RAM is a lot more important, performance wise, than having an exact dual-channel match.

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Originally Posted by Midknyte

That should have been silk-screened on the board right between the PCI/PCIe slots. Kinda hard to miss it.

You can look up the ram on the Crucial configurator.
http://www.crucial.com/store/listpar...?model=A8N-SLI

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That's what I always use.:)

Ok, I have a question, is this ram compatible with my system?

Kingston HyperX KRX3200AK2/1G 1GB Kit DDR400 PC3200R Registered ECC Memory

http://www.superwarehouse.com/Kingst..._1G/ps/1542401

I read on that crucial site that you shouldn't mix ecc and nonECC (it appears that the kingston valuram already in the computer is nonECC, but the hyperx in that link is ecc).

Also, the hyperX is "registered" but I have no idea what that means.

This stuff is just so over my head, but this hyperX version appears to be a better deal IF it can work on my computer.

Thanks again.

edit: here's another link to the hyperX if it helps:
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...39&SID=5990741

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PC3200R Registered ECC Memory

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NO. If you had to run that kind of ram, you would definitely know about it. It's for servers or high-end workstations.

http://www.corsair.com/memory_basics/index.html

Here's what you need.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820141437

Thanks to you both again for the help.

I saw this fairly cheaper -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...Tpk=VS1GB400C3 . I've always used Kingston because they are a good company and their products work. But the corsair is considerably cheaper so what do you think about this one (will it work in my computer and is it quality)?

Also, a third question I was simply wondering about is how much improved performance do you notice when adding a kit as opposed to just a single stick? Is it actually noticeable or one of those things that just look better on paper? For example, this appears to be the same ram but as a kit -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145440 . The reason I ask is because I really don't think I need to keep a ram slot free "for the future" because chances are I probably won't ever upgrade it again.

Crucial.com > Manufacturer Specifications - ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe
http://www.crucial.com/store/listpar...2-SLI%20Deluxe

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Q: Do I have to install matching pairs?

A: No.

No, you can install modules one at a time, and you can mix different densities of modules in your computer. But if your computer supports dual-channel memory configurations, you should install in identical pairs (preferably in kits) for optimal performance.


Q: Does my computer support dual-channel memory?

A: Yes.

To benefit from the performance advantages offered by dual-channel systems, you should install memory in identical pairs. Installing a kitted pair is the best way to ensure that your modules are identical, right down to the chip count.

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Wikipedia.org > Dual-channel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual-channel

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Performance

There have been varying reports as to the performance increase of dual-channel configurations, with some tests citing significant performance gains while others suggest almost no gain.

Tom's Hardware found little significant difference between single-channel and dual-channel configurations in synthetic and gaming benchmarks (using a "modern" system setup). In its tests, dual channel gave at best a 5% speed increase in memory-intensive tasks.[3] An older comparison by laptoplogic.com found a speed advantage of up to 15.3% for the integrated intel GMA900 graphics when utilizing dual channel memory.[4] The test results published by Tom's Hardware had a discrete graphics comparison.

The difference can be far more significant in applications that manipulate large amounts of data in memory. A comparison by TechConnect Magazine demonstrated considerable gains for dual-channel in tasks using block sizes greater than 4 MB, and during stream processing by the CPU.[5]

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Thanks for that info about the dual kit stuff. I guess I won't bother trying to find specifically that.

Do you have any opinion regarding the VS1GB400C3 or Crucial in general (ideally compared to Kingston)? Thanks.

Crucial is the best. Kingston, I use but have gotten dead or bad modules so, there are a lot of guys here that use Crucial and swear by it. I've never used it. Check your motherboard manual. It should tell you which is best for your computer. Oh, and I still use Kingston for older computers.

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Originally Posted by photolady

Crucial is the best. Kingston, I use but have gotten dead or bad modules so, there are a lot of guys here that use Crucial and swear by it. I've never used it. Check your motherboard manual. It should tell you which is best for your computer. Oh, and I still use Kingston for older computers.

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Oh! I meant to say Corsair sorry! The link I was asking if it fits my computer was a Corsair piece. I've never used Corsair before.

Sorry.

That is a good brand too.

Ditto what Train said. Corsair, and Crucial are two of the top best memory makers.

Corsair actually has the lowest rate of returns of any brand. I've used Corsair in many builds and I've never had a single issue.

There are a couple gotchas though.
Read page 22 [ document page 1-12] of this pdf.
http://dlsvr04.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/...68_a8n-sli.pdf

Wow you guys are great! Superb info like this is why this site is so good. Thank you!

The gotchas appear to be a non issue for the CORSAIR 1GB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Desktop Memory Model VS1GB400C3 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...Tpk=VS1GB400C3.

Is this correct? I'm pretty much set on this one I just want a professional "okay" so I make the right choice. Thanks!

I'd go for it.

I would take out the 512 and replace it with the 1 GB stick. Then boot up.

Check it out.

Now if you add the 512 back in one of the following may happen as you are mixing brands.

1. Will not boot.
2. Boots but tends to have hair pulling errors.
3. Does exactly what we want.

Now that is just so you know what may happen.

And if you only have the 1gb installed pay attention to that page Train linked to before about where to place the one stick. It makes a difference.

I was planning on putting in the new 1Gb plus 1 old Brand A 512Mb stick plus Brand B 512Mb stick to make 3 sticks total, all different brands. Is that okay?

If the machine boots up and runs its ok.

Buy 2 sticks and sell the 512s.

What I do.

I agree. You will almost certainly lose the dual-channel if you have 3 sticks installed. It's really best if you install the modules in pairs.

Thank you to everyone.

I ended up getting some Patriot 1GB RAM from newegg because the other one I was going to grab sold out. (I can be a bit too slow at times lol.)

Anyways, I just installed it, and I have 3 sticks in there now. It installed just fine apparently and the computer information says there is 2GB of RAM.

Thanks to everyone!

You're very welcome :)

You will be running in single-channel mode, but it may not bother you, some people never notice the difference.

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Originally Posted by SuperSparks

You're very welcome :)

You will be running in single-channel mode, but it may not bother you, some people never notice the difference.

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From what I read from that other post... dual channel seems like a negligible increase anyways. Frankly, I just use the computer for the internet, and a few programs, but no gaming or heavy duty stuff anymore.

Ok, I now have a new question because I was considering buying another stick of memory for an easy upgrade.

I was reading the motherboard manual mentioned earlier and it says this:

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Supports up to 2 GB system memory

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listed under a8n-sli specifications summary

and then it says:

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Due to chipset resource allocation, the system may detect less than 4 GB of system memory when you installed four 1 GB DDR memory modules.

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listed under "memory configurations"


Now, the confusing part is why would it even mention installing 4 1 gig sticks if the system can only handle 2 gb in the first place? It's really quite ambiguous. Top that with the fact that it's not a really old system so a max of 2 gb seems somewhat limited. A relatively lot was paid for the computer at the time by the owner, but I realize that doesn't say anything necessarily about the quality of components.

I think that 2 GB is a misprint. All the info I find seems to indicate that 4 gigs is the max supported. I used to have an A8N-SLI, and I certainly don't recall there being a 2 gig limitation.

http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=98&type=expert

Each memory slot can hold DDR PC3200,DDR PC2700 with a maximum of 1GB per slot.*

http://www.crucial.com/store/listpar...?model=A8N-SLI

Although the memory can be installed one module at a time, the best performance comes from using matched pairs of modules.Although the nForce 4 chipset supports 4GB of memory, Windows and the BIOS will usually see 2.75-3GB when 4GB is installed. This is due to limitations in memory addressing by the BIOS.

ASUS says..
4 x184-pin DIMM, Max. 4 GB, DDR 400/333/266 ECC,Non-ECC,Un-buffered Memory
Dual Channel memory architecture
Specs tab
http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=J9FKa8z2xVId3pDK

Thanks a lot for the replies. You all are great and so knowledgeable.

This line doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me though:

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Windows and the BIOS will usually see 2.75-3GB when 4GB is installed

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Does that A) mean the computer will function as if it only has 2.75-3GB when 4GB is installed, or does it only mean that B) some number in a list (or something) won't show up correctly but the computer will still function as if it had 4GB of ram?

Thank you.

It has to do with 32-bit windows and how it handles allocation of memory.

The long story
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l...8WS.10%29.aspx

Thanks for the reply Train... but that article is almost painful. It's baffling.

So anyways... I guess my question boils down to this;

Right now I have 2 512MB sticks that are both different. And I added the 1GB patriot stick.

So right now I have:
1x Generic Brand 512MB
1x Kingston Brand 512MB
1x Patriot Brand 1GB

If I installed a 1 GB Corsair memory stick, would I be running in dual channel again? Would my computer even notice an improvement? I feel like I still don't know whether or not my computer/mobo can use 3GB.

Thanks so much.

To try an explain in plain English: the maximum number that can be stored in a 32-bit register is 4,294,967,295, or in other words, 4 gigabytes. So that is the maximum memory addresses that a 32-bit operating system can access. But some of those memory addresses need to be reserved for other things, video memory being the main one. Thus, if you install 4 gig of RAM in a 32-bit system, by the time you've subtracted the video memory addresses, etc., you re usually left with round 3.25 gigs of main RAM that Windows can use. The rest of the memory is still there, it's just that the OS cannot access it.

If you add another stick of 1GB then you will go back into dual-channel mode.