Computers & Electronics

How should I add RAM??

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  • Dec 16th, 2004 4:54 pm
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Deal Addict
Mar 28, 2004
1189 posts
38 upvotes
Markham

How should I add RAM??

As the title says, I want to add RAM.
My question is, how should I set it up??
Im currently running 2x256 in dual channel.
Is it better to add 1 stick of 512 or should I sell my 2 sticks and buy 2x512??
Will there be any difference in performance??
It would be easier obviously to simply add one 512 but I will go through the trouble of selling mines and buying new ones if it helps my computer run smoother.

Thanks in advance.
12 replies
Sr. Member
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Nov 15, 2004
778 posts
3 upvotes
Got a few questions to ask u

1) What is your budget?
2) How much memory do u need?

1 GB is great but 512 mb will be sufficient for normal day computing and some gaming. My XP takes about 200-300 meg.

If you wanna do an upgrade, I would suggest getting two sticks of 512 (dual channel or not). It doesn't make a lot sense if u sell your 256s and get a stick of 512. You still have the same amount of memory at the end. It might be a bit slower b/c is not dual channel and the hassle of selling your RAM.
Deal Addict
Mar 28, 2004
1189 posts
38 upvotes
Markham
ctam wrote:Got a few questions to ask u

1) What is your budget?
2) How much memory do u need?

1 GB is great but 512 mb will be sufficient for normal day computing and some gaming. My XP takes about 200-300 meg.

If you wanna do an upgrade, I would suggest getting two sticks of 512 (dual channel or not). It doesn't make a lot sense if u sell your 256s and get a stick of 512. You still have the same amount of memory at the end. It might be a bit slower b/c is not dual channel and the hassle of selling your RAM.
Im looking to spend about $100 if im going to be adding one 512.
Im not quite sure how much memory I need, I play a lot of games.
I think I need more RAM because I get a lot of windows messages telling me my virtual memory is low, usually pops up after I exit a game.
What is virtual memory??
Yep, actually, thats what im saying, either add one 512 to my current 2x256 or sell my 2x256 and buy 2x512.
Deal Fanatic
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Dec 10, 2004
7571 posts
3145 upvotes
Canada
ezdoesit wrote:Im looking to spend about $100 if im going to be adding one 512.
Im not quite sure how much memory I need, I play a lot of games.
I think I need more RAM because I get a lot of windows messages telling me my virtual memory is low, usually pops up after I exit a game.
What is virtual memory??
Yep, actually, thats what im saying, either add one 512 to my current 2x256 or sell my 2x256 and buy 2x512.

I've got 1gb or ram and still getting low virtual memory message.I was told before with512-1gb you can actually set it to 0. after 4 hours of 0 virtual memory it gave me a notice. then I set it to 500MB-2 days later I got the damn message again! Now its' 768MB and haven't see it since.
I usually have 4-6 Ixplorer windows open plus do some photoshop stuff.
I use voice typing, expect mistakes...
Sr. Member
User avatar
Nov 15, 2004
778 posts
3 upvotes
Some ppl have prob of setting virtual mem to zero. So you can try that and see if it works or not.

I think 512 should be fine for gaming. Do you have enough HD free space in case XP need to grab more virtual memory? What is the virtual memory is set at for your PC??
Deal Addict
Mar 28, 2004
1189 posts
38 upvotes
Markham
I have no idea what the virtual memory is set at, how can I check and what should it be said at??
I am running out of hard drive space though, I have about 10gb of free space.
Sr. Member
User avatar
Nov 15, 2004
778 posts
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10 GB should be fine. Is it on your C:?

To check your virtual memory,

go to Start=> Control Panel => System (in classic view) => Advance => Performance (Setting) => Under the tab 'Advanced' => Change.

Here you can see and set how much Virtual memory XP should set.

Rule of thumb is to set 1 to 1.5 times of your memory size. So you should set 512 to 768.
Deal Fanatic
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May 1, 2003
6818 posts
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What motherboard and processor do you have. If its an AMD, dual channel won't make much difference. If its a semi recent intel it probably will.
Deal Addict
Mar 28, 2004
1189 posts
38 upvotes
Markham
I have 5 on my C: and 5 on my D:
I cant find anything in my control panel that has an advance or performance setting.
Deal Addict
Mar 28, 2004
1189 posts
38 upvotes
Markham
bionicbadger wrote:What motherboard and processor do you have. If its an AMD, dual channel won't make much difference. If its a semi recent intel it probably will.
I have a 2500XP and an ASUS A7N8X-E Deluxe.
Deal Fanatic
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May 1, 2003
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ezdoesit wrote:I have a 2500XP and an ASUS A7N8X-E Deluxe.
Just add the stick of 512, or replace 1 of the 256 sticks then. AMD doesn't benefit that much from dual channel.
Deal Fanatic
Sep 16, 2004
9779 posts
2050 upvotes
Toronto
Why not just add 2x 256 again so you have 4 sticks of 256 = 1gig of ram. Certainly not as fast as 512 x 2 but 1 gig all the same.
Futureshop has rebates like crazy on kingston ram right now with a stick working out to 49.99 after rebates for 133sdram and 400ddr.NOt sure if they have 512s on sale. Can' t go wrong with that price really. And kingston is pretty reliable and lifetime warranty.

You will have to buy at full price less futureshop rebate though and then wait for kingston rebate of like $35 x 2 or something.

EDIT: CWO has the kingston 256MB 400ddr for 49 without any rebates and stuff i think also.
Member
Oct 20, 2002
256 posts
23 upvotes
Vancouver
You definitely need 1GB for games. All the graphic intensive games like HL2, D3 and Farcry need 1GB to run smoothly at high detail. I'm sure future games will require the same. If you don't have an enough ram, the game will start accessing the page file which will result in the game stuttering.

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