Question on RAM compatability

C

CreativeUserName

New Member
I've been looking into purchasing new RAM for my desktop, and, well, I've never actually bought computer components individually and therefor am unsure about their compatability with my machine. Here's some information about my computer:

Processor
Type: Intel Pentium 4 CPU 2.80 GHz
Clock speed: 2.80 GHz
Bus speed: 800 GHz
L2 cache: 1 MB
Hyperthreading capable: Yes
64-bit technology: No

Memory
Installed: 512 MB (2x256)
Speed: 400 MHz
Channel mode: Dual interleaved
Technology: DDR2 SDRAM
DIMM bays: 4
ECC: No
Unbuffered
Organization: x8

I'm sorry if any of this information is irrelevant, but I can't say I know much about computer hardware. While I was searching through other forums, I heard that anything over 2 GB of ram on a 32-bit OS wouldn't be used. Is that true? I'm looking for some of the options to look into that would help my system perform much better. Any recommendations or restrictions I should be aware of?
 
ram

I've been wondering some of the same things. I have a dell inspiron 1520 with 3gb of ram but dont know if i can go to 4gb on xp 32-bit.

its so hard to find answers to questions like these on the web. I tried looking it up all over without a conclusive answer.

If someone knew, that would be great....yeah
 
While I was searching through other forums, I heard that anything over 2 GB of ram on a 32-bit OS wouldn't be used. Is that true?
Click to expand...
Yes and no. Individual programs can use up to 2GB of address space but the system as a whole can use more than 2GB.
I've been wondering some of the same things. I have a dell inspiron 1520 with 3gb of ram but dont know if i can go to 4gb on xp 32-bit.
Click to expand...
You can put 4GB in but some amount less than 4GB will be available for use. I can't tell you the exact number though as it is system specific.
 
Alright, well obviously I'm new to the forum and I have no idea how to use quotes, haha. But thanks nonetheless for that answer, Cromewell. How practical is it to have more than 2GB of RAM if you're only playing one game at a time and are not running many other programs in the background?

Aside from that, any recommendations for DDR2 Memory that is compatible with the specs I've provided? Please let me know if I'm missing any information that would help in this decision. :)
 
If your computer uses DDR then you cannot use DDR2. More RAM is always better, and you can modify some system files so that programs can use up to 3gb of RAM. (not going into it technically, because i've never done it)
 
:good: <- does that work? lol

Hola mister Linkin, thanks for your reply. :) Alright, so no mixing RAM. However, a friend of mine told me that since my computer was older, it used DDR and not DDR2. But, when I was looking through the BIOS (F2 menu when booting?), under the Memory section stated: Technology: DDR2 SDRAM. I only bring this up because the way you worded your reply, it would seem that you are implying I have DDR and I only wanted to clarify if I do or not, since I've heard that twice now. :)
 
Going by your original post you do have DDR2. You can use programs like CPUz to check but if your BIOS said DDR2 then it's a safe bet you have DDR2 :)

If you find your one game uses a lot of memory more RAM may help, but 2GB on XP is usually lots.
 
Yes I would agree 2Gig on XP 32Bit is enough
But to confirm exactly what you can purchase then we would need either:
Your Motherboard make and model number
Or your computer make and model (ie Dell Optiplex ...... or HP Pavilion ....)

The manufacture support page can tell you exactly what Ram specifications are available to you, and also they usually provide a list of compatible Ram that will work on your system
 
Thanks all :)

The replies really did help out a lot. However, my entrance into the amazing market of DDR2 RAM will have to wait... as my computer has to get inventoried as a possible loss in a house fire. :( Until then! I will annihilate on my laptop. See you all soon. :)
 
Just 'cause kim asked!

Everything is good, for the most part. Our home is currently uninhabitable, but we did find our two cats and although the fire was contained in the garage only, there was very heavy smoke damage throughout the entire house and I'm pretty sure a high percentage of our belongings will be classified as "unsalvageable." Fortunately, the insurance company will be helping us out tremendously, so as I said, everything is good. ^_^
 
Thanks for the update
By the way smoke can cause damage to things like computers, so you may want to mention this to your insurance people as well
Oh and you'll likely notice a lot of cobwebs that you didn't realize you had, I had a house fire once that burnt out one room, and I couldn't believe how the smoke made every single cobweb in the house come out really clearly (instead of invisible as they were before ;))
 
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