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

[webmaster111]

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.

[Midknyte]

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

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

Can I use ddr2 instead?

NO! They are physically different.

[photolady]

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

[webmaster111]

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

[photolady]

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.

[webmaster111]

Ok, the mobo program says it is:

Asus A8N-SLI

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

[Midknyte]

Asus A8N-SLI

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

[SuperSparks]

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.

[jtadinolf]

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

That's what I always use.

[webmaster111]

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

[Midknyte]

PC3200R Registered ECC Memory

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

[photolady]

Here's what you need.

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

[webmaster111]

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.

[SpywareDr]

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

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.

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

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]

[webmaster111]

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.