Upgrading RAM
Orikes:
I need a little help in figuring out exactly what to buy to upgrade the RAM on my computer. I currently have 1GB Dual Channel memory (specifically " Crucial 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory"), and I want to upgrade to at least 2GB, but I'm not quite sure what to go for.
I'm guessing that the 184-Pin is the part I need to make sure is consistent, since that's how it fits into the machine, correct? What about the 400(PC 3200) part? Do I stick to that exactly, or can that be 'upped' as well? From what I understand, dual channel is pretty good, so I want to stick with that. But otherwise than wanting at least 2GB... I don't know what I can change.
Advice?
KatEnigma:
You have to get the same type so PC 3200 is the important part. If you have Dual Channel, you MUST buy dual channel again. I like OCZ's RAM and it tends to be less expensive than others, but still quality RAM (and they have good customer service) How many slots do you have, 2 or 4? If you have 4, you can buy another 2x512 set. If you only have 2, then you'll need a 2x1024 set.
Magicmoon:
I build and repair computers for a living.
First you need the motherboard manual. It's that little booklet that you only get if you bought your motherboard separately and installed it yourself. So for most people, you need to look up the info on the net.
All motherboards have a maximum capacity for RAM. Each motherboard also has a different number of slots available. Some have 2, others have 3 or 4. Since you are running dual channel, I am guessing you have 2 or 4 slots.
Each slot can only hold a maximum RAM amount. If the motherboard has 4 slots with a maximum capacity of 4 GB, then each slot can hold 1 GB. Some motherboards only allow a maximum of 512 MB in each slot, some older ones, only 256. It is very important to find out this info about your motherboard.
The manual will also tell you your bus speed. Thats where the PC 3200 (400) type numbers come in. You can buy any speed of RAM and as long as it is the proper RAM type, and it will work. BUT you should always buy RAM that is equal or greater in speed than the bus. If you buy a slower one than your motherboard can handle, then the RAM will work but it won't be as fast as it should be. If you buy RAM that is faster than your bus speed, then it will work at the same speed as your bus.
For example, I had a computer that had a 2600 bus that I placed PC 3200 RAM in. It worked fine. But the computer will only run it at the 2600 speed because that is all it can handle. Why would you buy a faster one then? Because you can always pull your memory later when you are done with this computer and put it in another. If on the other hand I had a computer with a 3200 bus and I placed 2600 RAM in it, it will still work but it will only run at 2600 which would be slower than your computer allows.
For dual channel, you must be using 2 slots, and the amount of memory in each slot must be the same, (for every slot pair) and should have the same bus speed as each other. You can use other combinations, and it will work, but it will no longer run as dual channel, so I highly recommend that your memory modules match one another. If you have 4 memory slots, you could put in 2 pieces of 512 and 2 pieces of 1 GB for a total of 3 GB. That's assuming that your motherboard's slots will actually accept 1 GB memory modules. If you motherboard will only accept 512 MB in each slot, then you cannot place 1 GB pieces in there or it won't work.
So currently you have 2 slots filled (you may have more slots but they are just empty). You can find this info in the manual or opening the computer and counting the slots. Each filled slot currently is holding 512 MB, which gives you a total of 1 GB. Now, if you have 2 more slots available, you can just buy 2 more memory modules of 512 MB and add them to the 2 empty slots, giving you a total of 2 GB. I have read that it is better to use two 1 GB modules rather than 4 512 MB modules because it will run faster. I have not been able to confirm this. It may be one of those things that shows up with testing equipment, but is not noticeable when actually running the computer. I recommend whichever option costs you the least.
The important info about your particular RAM is 184-Pin DDR SDRAM . You must buy DDR SDRAM or it won't work at all even if the number of pins is correct. The 184 pin is a standard size so that is usually something that you don't have to worry about.
You mentioned that you currently have Crucial brand memory. Brand name is not important, however, how they obtain their memory modules IS important. Some companies pull memory from other computers and reuse them (usually from computers leased to businesses). Those that don't will usually announce it on their site because they are proud of it. The memory usually costs slightly more because it is actually new.
Crucial memory is nice because it has a lifetime warranty on it and they always use New memory rather than "pulls". Tigerdirect.com also prides itself on only selling new memory, and they have several brands to choose from. How can Crucial afford a lifetime warranty? Because usually your memory will become obsolete long before it actually goes bad. I have replaced very few bad memory modules in my lifetime. Those that "went bad" usually did so as a result of lightning strikes and/or repeated power outages, and is why it is recommended to disconnect your computer from the power source during a lightning storm. Surge protectors can only protect against normal surges that come periodically from the power company. They cannot protect against lightning strikes.
By now you should be thoroughly confused. If so, my job here is done.
Actually, once you locate the motherboard manual, I'll be happy to tell you EXACTLY what to buy as I'm sure that I probably left something out that I should have told you.
ETA: One thing I forgot. Some motherboards use the first 2 slots together to achieve dual channel (slots 0 and 1 for the first pair, then slots 2 & 3 for the 2nd pair) , and others use every other slot (0 and 2, then slots 1 & 3). Again, your motherboard manual will tell you which ones to use. Of course if you have 4 slots filled with exactly the same thing, then you can't get it wrong.
Orikes:
I was pretty sure I only had two slots for memory, but the manual on the Asus site says otherwise. Here's the info on my mobo from Asus: http://usa.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=3&l2=15&l3=207&l4=0&model=596&modelmenu=1
(I think that link will work. Either way, it's an ASUS mother board: A8N5X)
The manual says I have four slots that can have up to 1GB 'unbuffered ECC or non-ECC DDR DIMMs' using the proscribed memory configurations.
Does this mean I can have 2 sets of dual channel ram totally 4GB?
EDIT: I'm at work right now, so I can't be 100% sure I have the right manual. I can hopefully dig that up tonight or tomorrow during the day. The computer was new last year and built from parts bought on New Egg which I had a friend put together for me.
KatEnigma:
Yes, you can put 2 2x1024 sets in.
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