More memory? Help/advice needed

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bthizle1

Member
So, I've been contemplating buying like 1GB more of RAM for my computer.....if it will even make much of a difference?

Here's my current specs:
AND Athlon 65 3500+
Geforce 7600 GT 256 MB
1024MB RAM

I'm just not sure what will be compatible and give me the best performance with my current motherboard and RAM cards.

My motherboard is an Asus A8V Deluxe.

Maximum Memory Capacity: 4096MB
Currently Installed Memory: 1GB
Available Memory Slots: 2
Number of Banks: 4
Dual Channel Support: Yes
CPU Manufacturer: AuthenticAMD
CPU Family: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3500+ Model 15, Stepping 0
CPU Speed: 2202 MHz

I currently have two 512 MB Corsair DDR (PC3200) sticks:

Speed: 200 MHz
Memory timings: 2-3-3-8-0 at 200 MHz, at 2.5 volts
Data width: 64 bits
EPP SPD Support: No
XMP SPD Support: NO

I'm considering just buying one or two of these sticks, will buying the same brand help?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145026

Any recommendations? Links? etc...?
 
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hi,

yes, increasing memory will increase performance, especially if you use resource hungry applications, like photoshop or gaming.

brand doesn't matter, although i would stick with the more popular ones. if you have dual channel it's better to buy ram in pairs, either two 512mb, or two 1gb.

also, please note that the link is to SIMM (single inline memory modules) and you may currently have DIMM (dual inline) this means it has chips on both sides of the module instead of just one side. it may work, but you will have to know and match densities. Just to be on the safe side, you should look for modules that have memory chips on both sides (DIMM).

crucial has a scanner which lets you know what you have and what you can upgrade with. you can use the results to shop around.
 
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bthizle1 said:
These are two of the 1GB sticks that the crucial scan recommends:
http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=00C1CDE3A5CA7304
http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=4A56B5ECA5CA7304

It says DIMM, so I'm assuming my current sticks are?

Also, how do I know if my current sticks are dual channel? And if they aren't, is it wise to buy a !GB dual channel stick?
Click to expand...


you can give him links or he can go to crucial.com and run the scan himself and have choices. But if you are just adding ine more GB of ram that may not be significant enough I would try to go 2 GB or at the least 1.5 GB RAM isn't to expensive and crucial RAM is good stuff
 
That's a pretty bad deal, go on newegg and look for any DDR 400 ram and it should work. Just make sure you don't buy DDR2 ram!
 
I'm contemplating buying this: (is it compatible with not only my MOBO, but my current sticks of RAM?)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145575

The Corsair memory configuration sight says it's compatible with my MOBO:
http://www.corsair.com/configurator/product_results.aspx?id=4251


Also, do you guys really think it would be worth it? I'm mainly doing this for a new game that is coming out called Empire:Total War. I'm not really a big "gamer" persay anymore....it's just that I've played the total war series since I was a little kid and really want to be able to run this game well without spending too much money...I'm going to be leaving in nearly 4 months anyways, and will probably never use this comp again after that.
 
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With the mail in rebate on that 2x-1GB (2GB) corsair on newegg, I figure it's just as cheap as most 1GB sticks. $44, however it's nearly $70 at first and I hear that corsair is pretty slow at getting their rebates out.
 
the first link to newegg is a SIMM because on the picture, the module only has chips on one side (they show you an empty side). anyways, they will work on your motherboard, but may or may not be compatible with your current modules, which is why it is suggested that you get what you already have.

also the corsair from newegg is good ram, but because of the heatspreader you can tell it's meant as an enthusiast kit. meant for overclocking and heavy use like gaming. which is good, but there may be cheaper alternatives, and i wouldn't hold my breath on that rebate, or any rebate for that matter.

i found this on the benefits of having more ram with games:
http://www.corsair.com/_appnotes/AN804_Gaming_Performance_Analysis.pdf

how to tell if running dual channel:
a) run a program like cpu-z, it should tell you or
b) open the case and look where the modules are located: you have four slots, they should be color coded on newer boards but generally are: A B A B. your current modules should be installed in channel A; with one empty slot in between. Your motherboard will auto detect and run in dual channel, at least mine did. so when you get new ram pairs, they would go in the B channel.

if you go for 2x 1gb sticks you would have pretty much maxed out your operating system addressing capacity, and should hold you until you upgrade the entire computer. i have a similar setup and it runs very nice and can play just about any game out there no problems.
 
best way to tell:

look inside the computer, your modules should be in banks 0 and 2 (the blue slots).
check to see if they have chips on both sides, or just one. if they have chips on both sides, the corsair XMS ram will work:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145575

if only one side, the valueram will work:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145026

please note: the value ram is only one stick (not dual channel kit) if you only get one, your setup will no longer run in dual channel. you can get two of these and install them on channel B, banks 1 and 3 (black slots), then you will run dual channel.
 
Yep, my current sticks have chips on both sides and are both in the blue slots.

The thing is my current sticks are 200 MHz and those ones are 400 MHz and a .25v difference...which I would assume would still make the compatible, but could I still run into problems because of that?

So, if I do decide to upgrade my RAM, I'll probably get one of these two deals:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145579
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145575

Most likely the second deal....any thoughts?
 
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if you combine new memory with your current setup, the newer memory will run at the lower speed: 200 mhz. so it'll be like a waste.

solution: buy ram at same speed as you have now and use all your ram up to 3Gb in dual channel.

if planning to keep this system for a while before upgrading, I would:
replace current memory with one or two dual channel kits at the faster speed. even if you can't use your old memory, the faster speed will still give you better performance.
 
I don't know how much difference it will make. Really all you are doing is adding 1GB of RAM. It's not a speed boost or anything. It's probably worth it if you play a lot of games but if it's just an internet/email/msoffice machine then it's probably not.
 
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