Adding RAM to a PC - need info

[The Unknown Gomer]

Need some advice from you tech happy folks out there.

I've got a Vaio desktop PC that I bought several years ago. Love it, great machine, but the little 512MB of RAM that came preinstalled finally wasn't cutting it anymore, so this weekend I added another 1GB chip to the mix. The Vaio is MUCH perkier now. :cool:

My question is... the spec sheets for my Vaio say that maximum memory it can have is 2GB. If it says that, is that just all the motherboard is programmed to deal with, or could it have been a space issue way back when? Because there are four memory slots which had 2 256mb RAM chips preinstalled when I bought it. If it can handle the one 1GB chip I just installed, and it's got 4 slots total, could I not pull the two wimpy 256MB chips out and install another 3GB to total 4GB RAM? Or would that blow something on the board? Not that I can afford 3 more GB right at the moment, but it would be nice to know that's an option.

If not, I'd probably be inclined to go ahead and get another 512MB of RAM to bring it to the 2GB maximum fairly shortly (several places have RAM on sale this week), but if I CAN go higher than 2GB total, I might be inclined to wait until my credit card settles down a bit and go ahead and add another GB later instead.

Anyone know?

Thanks!

[mat1583]

If 2 gig is the max capacity, then 2 gigs is it. If you want, I could get very technical about how memory works and your address/data bus and all that, but what it comes down to is that you can't add more than the max. Another thing you may want to try and find out is if all your memory sticks have to be the same size. Some memory sticks will not work well together unless they are both the same size. Also, did you put the memory sticks in the slots right next to each other?

With 4 slots and a 2 GIG max, you could do a total of 4 sticks of 512MB. Unless you open a lot of programs at once or a do a lot of photo/video editing, 1 GIG is plenty.

-washboard

[The Unknown Gomer]

Ooooh, no! No need to get TOO technical about it, it's too "Monday" for that already. ;)

The slots for the RAM are 4, spaced in pairs of two.

The original RAM came as 2 256MB chips, one stuck into one of each pair of slots. I just stuck the 1GB that I picked up Friday next to the one that was easiest to get to, and it worked just fine.

I do a little video editing with Sony Vegas, which loaded and rendered pretty slowly before but was tolerable (with the extra 1gb, it's cruising right along now!). The kicker was when I finally timed out how long it took to load Sims2 and its gazillion memory sucking expansion packs before I was able to play, and how long it took within the game to switch from neighborhood to neighborhood. It's definitely better now, with 1.5GB in there, but if another 512mb will boost it any further, I definitely wouldn't mind that, especially for only another $30 or so more to max it out.

So 2GB is it for the Vaio then. Good to know. Would plunking in the last remaining 512MB make THAT much more of a speed difference, do you think? Or would that be anticlimatic after adding the GB already?

Thanks.

[middletree]

Would plunking in the last remaining 512MB make THAT much more of a speed difference, do you think? Or would that be anticlimatic after adding the GB already?

Another 512 MB would be an increase of 33%, so it would be noticeable if you are using video. One way to be sure is to open your Task Manager and watch RAM usage as you do your video editing and rendering.

[mat1583]

Ooooh, no! No need to get TOO technical about it, it's too "Monday" for that already. ;)

The slots for the RAM are 4, spaced in pairs of two.

The original RAM came as 2 256MB chips, one stuck into one of each pair of slots. I just stuck the 1GB that I picked up Friday next to the one that was easiest to get to, and it worked just fine.

I do a little video editing with Sony Vegas, which loaded and rendered pretty slowly before but was tolerable (with the extra 1gb, it's cruising right along now!). The kicker was when I finally timed out how long it took to load Sims2 and its gazillion memory sucking expansion packs before I was able to play, and how long it took within the game to switch from neighborhood to neighborhood. It's definitely better now, with 1.5GB in there, but if another 512mb will boost it any further, I definitely wouldn't mind that, especially for only another $30 or so more to max it out.

So 2GB is it for the Vaio then. Good to know. Would plunking in the last remaining 512MB make THAT much more of a speed difference, do you think? Or would that be anticlimatic after adding the GB already?

Thanks.

One way to judge this would be to watch your system resources tab of Task Manager when you are running many tasks at once or heavy tasks such as video games or video editing. You can get to Task Manager with ctrl+alt+del . Then click on "Task manager". From there, select the performance tab. If your CPU usage if often reaching 100% usage, then another stick of memory would probably be beneficial.

When doing this, make sure your virus scanner is not scanning your hard drive . The virus scanner will take up a lot of the resources. This also applies when running any process that is processor and memory intensive. If you are planning on doing video editing or playing a video game, make sure your virus scanner isn't scheduled to scan during game play.

-washboard

[mat1583]

Another 512 MB would be an increase of 33%, so it would be noticeable if you are using video. One way to be sure is to open your Task Manager and watch RAM usage as you do your video editing and rendering.

Thanks, mid! One minute quicker :)

-washboard

[middletree]

One way to judge this would be to watch your system resources tab of Task Manager

Is there an echo in here?

[rossid]

No but you already know y'all posted at almost the exact same time.

We love our increase from 256k to 1G.

[Sam!]

Is returning the 1GB stick and buying 2 512s an option? Also, what model VAIO do you have? You may want to be installing in pairs, depending on whether your computer uses what's called a "dual channel" system. But if you are satisfied with how the 1GB stick has improved your system and you can't return it anyway, don't fret.

[The Unknown Gomer]

It's all good. I went back to Tiger Direct after work tonight, picked up a PNY 515mb stick, and just got everything put back together again and rebooted, no problemo.

Now cruising along with 2GB of RAM. Yay!

I love doing RAM upgrades. (I can say that now, since I just installed the maximum and don't ever have to do it again! ;) ) The whole thing took less than five minutes this time. :cool:

Thanks for all the help, y'all.

Oh, hey, does this mean I can run Vista now? ;) ;) ;)

[middletree]

Oh, hey, does this mean I can run Vista now? ;) ;) ;)

Having a lot of RAM helps, but in order to see the 3D stuff, there are minimum video card requirements.

[The Unknown Gomer]

No matter. I'll probably get Vista the same way I got XP for the first time, it'll come preinstalled on the next computer I buy.

We do have it on a brand new desktop PC at work, so I'm kind of getting a look at it that way. The first thing they did though, was turn off all the pretty stuff so it would run better.

[Tony Trout]

We love our increase from 256k to 1G.



I'm wanting to upgrade my Dell Dimension 2400 from 256 MB to the maximum of 1 GB of RAM but I'm computer illiterate when it comes to this stuff...(and no, I didn't mean to derail your thread, Karen)

Any advice?

[Sam!]

check out http://www.crucial.com/ - they have alot info that can help you get started.

[Tony Trout]

check out http://www.crucial.com/ - they have alot info that can help you get started.



I've lookoed....but being computer illiterate 'bout these kinds of things, it just confused me more.....:rolleyes: :(

[The Unknown Gomer]

Have you tried checking out the specs on the Dell website?

spec sheet (http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim2400/en/sm_en/specs.htm)

According to that:

Memory

Architecture
DDR SDRAM

Memory connectors
two

Memory capacities
128-, 256-, or 512-MB

Minimum memory
128 MB shared DDR SDRAM

NOTE: Between 32 and 64 MB of system memory may be allocated to support graphics, depending on system memory size and other factors.

Maximum memory
1 GB

Memory type
PC2100 (266-MHz) or PC2700 (333-MHz) DDR SDRAM (non-ECC)

So if you're wanting to go from 256MB to 1GB, it looks like (technically smarter folks, please correct me if I'm wrong) you'd have to pull out your 256MB strip and replace it with two 512MB strips of one of the memory types listed above, since you've only got two memory connectors. (see pic)

83145

Here's the how-to from the Dell site:

installing/removing memory (http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim2400/en/sm_en/memory.htm)

Once you know how much to put in and what kind to put in, the actually installation is a piece of cake. The hardest part when I did mine was actually wrangling the back off the pc case. :rolleyes:

[Tony Trout]

Have you tried checking out the specs on the Dell website?

spec sheet (http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim2400/en/sm_en/specs.htm)

According to that:



So if you're wanting to go from 256MB to 1GB, it looks like (technically smarter folks, please correct me if I'm wrong) you'd have to pull out your 256MB strip and replace it with two 512MB strips of one of the memory types listed above, since you've only got two memory connectors. (see pic)

83145

Here's the how-to from the Dell site:

installing/removing memory (http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim2400/en/sm_en/memory.htm)

Once you know how much to put in and what kind to put in, the actually installation is a piece of cake. The hardest part when I did mine was actually wrangling the back off the pc case. :rolleyes:


That just confuzzled me more....(the diagram that is) :o :o


Does the brand of RAM in the PC have any effect on the performance??

[The Unknown Gomer]

The diagram is - according to dell - the interior layout of your PC. And the only thing you have to be concerned about so far as that goes is the area marked Memory Module Connectors. That's where your memory sticks will go. And those, once you figure out what to get, just snap into place in those two slots marked A and B on the diagram.

So far as brands go, I couldn't tell you that. :confused: The few times that I've bought memory, I usually just buy PNY. Its a name brand, but not the priciest name brand out there. I've used it in a couple of different computers and never had any problems with it.

[Tony Trout]

The diagram is - according to dell - the interior layout of your PC. And the only thing you have to be concerned about so far as that goes is the area marked Memory Module Connectors. That's where your memory sticks will go. And those, once you figure out what to get, just snap into place in those two slots marked A and B on the diagram.

So far as brands go, I couldn't tell you that. :confused: The few times that I've bought memory, I usually just buy PNY. Its a name brand, but not the priciest name brand out there. I've used it in a couple of different computers and never had any problems with it.


Thanks for the info, Karen...

(BTW, I apologize for hi-hacking your thread)

[Sam!]

The brand of memory does not affect performance. Technically, there are different speeds memory--actually in more ways than one (Total bandwidth, bus speed, and various latency timings). However, in a Dell system you will have basically zero control over them.

What you'll want to do is pop the cover off of your computer. Identify (based on the diagram) where those Memory Connector slots are. Figure out how many of them are in use. There are other ways to do this, but this one always works :)

If you have one open slot and one filled slot, you could had a 512 MB card of memory and that would give you 768 or so total. If you want to jump all the way to 1 GB, you will have to buy two 512-MB DIMMs (that is, a certain kind of stick of memory) and remove your old 256 MB one.

If you go to Crucial's website, you can plug in the brand/model of your computer. You need "non-parity" and "non-ECC" memory, and you should get the highest speed available (in terms of the PC-2700 part... i.e., PC2100, PC2700, etc.).

I hope that helps.

[The Unknown Gomer]

Thanks for the info, Karen...

(BTW, I apologize for hi-hacking your thread)You're welcome.

No worries about hijacking the thread, I'm always happy to share. ;)

It served its purpose anyway, my PC memory is now maxed out accordingly.

[Tony Trout]

I looked at Crucial's website last night for what I need and it was a little over $90.00....I look again this morning and it's over $100.00 for the exact same thing....DANG!! :mad: :mad:

[The Unknown Gomer]

Well, if you used the Crucial website to figure out what type of RAM you needed, now you can comparison shop at different places for different brands. I bought both my 1gb and 512mb strips at TigerDirect, and the 512mb strip was a LOT less than that.

Assuming this is the make and model that you need, you might check this out, it's over at TigerDirect.com.

Crucial 512MB PC2700 DDR 333MHz Memory
$34.99* (after rebate)

Nice deal. Cheaper than mine by a few bucks. :)

But TigerDirect inventories their memory really well. You can break it down by specific size and/or type and/or brand, and then list those from cheapest to most expensive to find exactly what you want.

I lucked out, we've actually got a Tiger Direct outlet store less than a mile from my house, I bought both things of memory there, so I didn't have to mess around with shipping or anything like that.

But there is probably an equivalent "Geeks R Us" type of store where you live, you might give them a call and see how much they charge for RAM.

[Tony Trout]

Got mine installed just a few minutes ago and....WOW! I love it already!!

[Sam!]

That's great!

[mindyhere]

Looks like I'm a little late in posting this, but I use newegg.com for my computer parts. It's the cheapest I've found - fast shipping and I've never had any problems with anything I've bought there.

[rossid]

My brother got a Toshiba laptop and could only go up to 2G. Seems like Worst Buy doesn't have anything that has any more capacity than that. And it comes with Vista and 512k - isn't that stupid?

[mindyhere]

And it comes with Vista and 512k - isn't that stupid?

Yeah - I don't think it would fare too well if you're running some heavy programs.

I'm holding off on Vista until it's time to buy a new computer, or build another one. I just built one 6 months ago and really should have made it Vista compatible, but didn't. Oh well - I'm happy with XP Pro.

If it'll run our games, it's good enough for me.

:D

[Gandalf]

Looks like I'm a little late in posting this, but I use newegg.com for my computer parts. It's the cheapest I've found - fast shipping and I've never had any problems with anything I've bought there.
Ditto. Their customer service is great too, if you do have to return anything.
I just built one 6 months ago and really should have made it Vista compatible, but didn't.
What did you put in a computer 6 months ago that's not compatible with Vista? On hardware that recent, as long as you've got a decent video card and a gig or two of RAM, it shouldn't be a problem, and throwing a little more RAM in isn't hard. :)

[Sam!]

NewEgg is great. I recommended Crucial for memory for the Dell because they guarantee that it will work, and some Dell motherboards have been known to be picky for the RAM. There are also so four or five specs you have to match to buy RAM from a warehouse-type site like NewEgg. You might pay Crucial a little more but with a lifetime warranty (and you know they'll be around) and a guarantee to work in your specific system, it's the safest recommendation to make over the Web :)

[mindyhere]

What did you put in a computer 6 months ago that's not compatible with Vista? On hardware that recent, as long as you've got a decent video card and a gig or two of RAM, it shouldn't be a problem, and throwing a little more RAM in isn't hard. :)

Well, after looking at Vista reqs listed on the Microsoft website for Premium, I guess I'm good to go! I have to admit that I haven't been real interested in Vista since I'm fine with XP, so hadn't looked at the sys requirements for it. I noticed that some boards had "Vista Ready" etc in the descriptions on them but didn't install one of those. So assumed I probably wasn't compatible for Vista.

I put in P4 3.06Ghz processor, 1G RAM and have an Radeon x1300 CrossFire Vid card.

[mindyhere]

Probably a good move Sam! I went for the cheap as I was putting together an entire system, including case. I hear a lot about Crucial though, and know that it's good stuff.

:)

[Gandalf]

Well, after looking at Vista reqs listed on the Microsoft website for Premium, I guess I'm good to go! I have to admit that I haven't been real interested in Vista since I'm fine with XP, so hadn't looked at the sys requirements for it. I noticed that some boards had "Vista Ready" etc in the descriptions on them but didn't install one of those. So assumed I probably wasn't compatible for Vista.

I put in P4 3.06Ghz processor, 1G RAM and have an Radeon x1300 CrossFire Vid card.
You should be just fine with Vista with those specs, though I do enjoy having 2 GB RAM on Vista (unlike XP, it'll really make use of that extra gig with its Superfetch feature and improve performance through intelligent caching of hard disk contents).

[Gandalf]

Probably a good move Sam! I went for the cheap as I was putting together an entire system, including case. I hear a lot about Crucial though, and know that it's good stuff.

:)
Crucial is a great brand. I often go with Kingston though, as it has performed flawlessly for me and isn't as expensive.

[mindyhere]

Crucial is a great brand. I often go with Kingston though, as it has performed flawlessly for me and isn't as expensive.

I ended up with pqi - one stick of 1G. It's done great - I haven't had any problems with it.

[Gandalf]

I ended up with pqi - one stick of 1G. It's done great - I haven't had any problems with it.
One stick? Does your motherboard not handle dual-channel?

[mindyhere]

No - I ended up with a single channel Gigabyte board.

http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/Motherboard/Products_Spec.aspx?ClassV alue=Motherboard&ProductID=1931&ProductName=GA-8VM800M-775

This was the first box I built myself, and I was amazed at how much research that I had to do when I was putting it together! Towards the end of researching everything I was just ready to get the thing done. LOL It was a lot of fun though.

I didn't think much about dual channel at the time I was putting it together. I was more focused on parts that would run Oblivion.

[Gandalf]

Hope you had fun assembling it :)