Hey Guys,
I have half a GB of RAM right now. I have two slots, each with a max capacity of 1 GB. Should I get a 1 GB chip for a total of 1.5 GB RAM or 2 1GB chips for a total of 2 GB of RAM? I don't really see where I would be using an extreme amount of RAM as I don't use applications that are particularly RAM-intensive.
Thanks!
RWenger
Well first off if you computer has
dual channel support you will want to enable that. You will need 2 sticks of the same speed, size, etc. Other than that it depends upon what you use your computer for, your operating system(s), future upgrades, & most importantly budget. If you are planning on ever upgrading to Vista or 7 on that computer I would say 2 gb. If you're going to stick with XP & you don't normally do anything resource intensive such as playing games, machine virtualization, or running huge programs than for XP 1 gb total should be good. You'll spend less money & save up for a better computer.
Here are my motherboard specs regarding memory:
Quote:Standard Memory 512 MB (removable)
Maximum Memory 2.0 GB
Memory Expansion 2 sockets
Model Comments 400MHz FSB, Intel 845GV Chipset
Memory Comments PC2700 DDR SDRAM DIMMs
Processor 2.80GHz Intel Celeron
I'm assuming it does support dual channel ram?
I can't tell based on that. You'll need to check the manual or google the model number.
That doesn't say.
Do you see anything in the BIOS or in the post messages that say anything about single or dual channel.
It won't hurt to buy ram that would give you dual channels by matching what you currently have. Actually you should match the sticks anyway regardless as to whether or not your board has dual channel support.
If I'm going to get a chip, it's going to be a 1 GB chip. Therefore, you would advise me to get 2 of the same thing, therefore 2 1GB chips?
While you respond, I might restart to check my BIOS for any settings.
If you get 2 sticks it should be of the same thing. If you just get one it should match what you have. If you add a 1 gb stick you won't have dual channel even if your board supports it. Only you can know what you can afford & how much you need. If you aren't going to be getting a new computer in the foreseeable but you might be upgrading to 7 I would say 2 gb. Otherwise if I where you I would just get a 512 and reserve the rest for a new computer. Why upgrade to 2 gb when with XP you won't need it & you'll be getting a new one in a few months anyway? Do you see where I am going?
I understand your logic. I think I will probably be getting a laptop for college on my birthday, which is at the start of next summer. So I have at least 7 months with this computer, and I plan on keeping it for a long time after that, even if I don't use it primarily. I might take it to college as well because I prefer a desktop over a laptop (college requires laptop). I don't know what I might install on this computer, it just depends. I do multi-task a lot on it, for example using many different browsers to check to make sure my code appears correctly in each browser, listening to music, maybe doing image editing, and having many tabs open in my Chrome browser to edit, reference programming examples, etc. Therefore, I'm leaning towards 2 1GB sticks.
Well I suggest when you do all of that multi-tasking you watch your usage & see what it hits max. I'm guessing that you keep your computer fine tuned. Do you turn off programs/services that you don't need?
Even though I have 2 gb, I have Vista which frequently creeps over 1 gb in consumption (something I hope they fixed in 7) so I used
winpatrol to turn of programs [does the same thing as msconfig]. I also turn off 3rd party services (such as those for iTunes) & use a batch file to turn them on when need be.
Yes, I keep my computer very fine-tuned. Most of the time, it works better for me than the day I got it. Yes, I turn off programs and services I don't need. Most of the time, my number of running processes is around 31.
what about ram usage? I don't remember if that is average or not for xp.
Physical Memory
Total: 514864
Available: 88200
(11-01-2009 12:31 AM)RWenger Wrote: [ -> ]Physical Memory
Total: 514864
Available: 88200
514864 kb ~503mb. If that is typical then you certainly need more. Thats more than I typically use when I run XP.
I think I'll get one stick. That would triple my available RAM. Thanks.
If you're going to just get one stick you're betting off with another 512MB. However, even if you match all the specifications up a change in manufacturer can cause issues as the RAM will differ to some extent. The chances of your motherboard supporting dual channel is very slim considering you only have two available ram slots. Not to mention you're running DDR1. I don't think there was even dual channel around during the DDR1 era...
If you will make 1 GB + 512 it will be good for you as you said your slot support 1gb Max
I would go for 2GB as programmes are getting more Ram intensive and if you go the 2x1GB route then you can get Dual Channel Ram and boost your performance, also try to get Ram with a high clock speed. DDR2 at 1066Mhz would be great and if you can go the DDR3 route then 2GB DDR3 1600Mhz would rule.
I don't even know if that computer will support dual channel RAM... I don't use the computer much anymore, and for any purposes I'll use it for, I think 512 MB of RAM will suffice. Don't think I'll do an upgrade.
Well if it ain't broken then don't fix it lol