My first attempt at RAM Upgrade question?

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Nate74

Nate74

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I think this should be an upgrade that I can handle and do for less than $100, but before I try it, I wanted a little guidance. My google searches yield either nothing, or too much information and it doesn't seem this specific setup has been discussed here before either.

I have a white box PC that I had a local guy build for me about 18 months ago. At the time I had him put 1Gb of RAM in it (2 x 512MB), but he told me I could easily upgrade to 2Gb in the future.

The mainboard is a Biostar P4M800 Pro-7 and the manual states:

DIMM Slots x 2
Supports DDR2 400/533
Each DIM Supports
256MB/512MB/1GB DDR2
Max Memory Capacity 2GB

Singer Channel Mode DDR2 Memory Module
Registered DIMM and ECC DIMM is not supported

Also from some articles I've read, the FSB number may be important. The manual states:

FSB 533/800/1066 MHz

So my question is, what of this information must match? and What else do I need to be aware of?

Thanks in advance!
 
If all you have is two slots in the board then you will have to buy two 1gig modules, and not utilize your existing memory. The mainboard should be set to automatically set the timing of the new memory. The fsb is already set to your existing cpu so the new memory will adjust to it. With that in mind I would get the 533 mem. Are you using the onboard video ? If so adding a video card and disabling the onboard video will speed up the system alot
 
Since your board is older you should just stay with the required memory specs that it states, ddr2 400/533. You can get 2gb of 400/533 easily. Just look into kingston or crucial value ram and you're on your way.

But as mentioned, if you want to up it to 2gb, you'll need to free up your two dimm slots right now so that you can fit in 2x 1gb chips. You may see a difference in speed, but I doubt it will be substancial. you'll see it more when you have a bunch of programs open.. so for audio it may be more than just a bit of an improvement.
 
Nate74 said:
I think this should be an upgrade that I can handle and do for less than $100, but before I try it, I wanted a little guidance. My google searches yield either nothing, or too much information and it doesn't seem this specific setup has been discussed here before either.

I have a white box PC that I had a local guy build for me about 18 months ago. At the time I had him put 1Gb of RAM in it (2 x 512MB), but he told me I could easily upgrade to 2Gb in the future.

The mainboard is a Biostar P4M800 Pro-7 and the manual states:

DIMM Slots x 2
Supports DDR2 400/533
Each DIM Supports
256MB/512MB/1GB DDR2
Max Memory Capacity 2GB

Singer Channel Mode DDR2 Memory Module
Registered DIMM and ECC DIMM is not supported

Also from some articles I've read, the FSB number may be important. The manual states:

FSB 533/800/1066 MHz

So my question is, what of this information must match? and What else do I need to be aware of?

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

Dual channel DDR2 400 or DDR2 533. OR, on your white slots, which I believe are the single channel slots, you can put ddr 266/333/400.
Usually you match DDR speed with FSB. Assuming there's no conflicts with the board, chipset, ram manufacturer etc

The practical upgrade on RAM would be to move up to DDR2, which won't be much of a boost really, unless you were running ddr 266 or 333. The even more practical upgrade, wouldn't be RAM if you were running ddr 400 and up, but rather a faster 7200rpm sata II hard drive upgrade (unless you already got a quick HD, or a faster processor (not under $100). - If you ever felt the urge to tear your computer apart :p

BUT. Much of the times, you can get memory speed over the motherboard, but is not suggested, cause there's not going to make a difference unless you overclock the FSB, which would overclock the cpu also. But sometimes people buy faster sticks so that they can just upgrade the board later instead of memory again. example, you could put a ddr2 800 stick into a 667mhz board, but the stick will run at 667 not 800.

I believe this is his motherboard:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Biostar-P4M800-...51QQihZ019QQcategoryZ1244QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

2 single channel ddr slots, and 2 dd2 slots.
 
Thanks all! Some really useful stuff. I took the advice to use the memory advisor tool and also stopped in to the local best buy and tracked own one of those geek squad guys.

I think I've found the RAM I need and ordered it online. Less than $100 so if there's no huge improvement, not a huge hit and as the Geek guy said, I could potentially use it if I upgrade later... not sure I'd build a whole system around $100 worth of RAM but whatever.

Anyway, thanks much to you all for helping me out here. :)
 
Nate74 said:
Thanks all! Some really useful stuff. I took the advice to use the memory advisor tool and also stopped in to the local best buy and tracked own one of those geek squad guys.

I think I've found the RAM I need and ordered it online. Less than $100 so if there's no huge improvement, not a huge hit and as the Geek guy said, I could potentially use it if I upgrade later... not sure I'd build a whole system around $100 worth of RAM but whatever.

Anyway, thanks much to you all for helping me out here. :)
Click to expand...

How much ram exactly are you getting for $100?
Current prices are 2GB for around $100
If you get 2gb ddr2 that could carry on into a new system in the near future.
 
Yeah, it's actually 2GB of DDR2 for $90 shipped. It arrived today and I'm about to install it.

(How cool will I look with my special wrist strap that I "borrowed" from work attached to the kitchen sink?)

So from what I gather, you pretty much just ground yourself, and pull the old cards out and put the new ones in?

Anything special after they're in and I fire it back up?
 
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