RAM myth(or fact) and questions...

Computer_Freak

Computer_Freak

Active Member
Hey guys

Its been a while since I last posted, but i need some help.

Im in greece right now and i have found very cheap RAM

GeIL

I know it is in greek but you can see the specs further down in english. And for you Americans that think it is expensive, it is much cheaper that what i can get in South Africa (for that price i bought 2gb Budget ram...)


Ok so here are my questions:

1. I have heard the certain OS can use a certain amount of RAM. For example, XP can only handle 4Gb/2Gb and vista can handle more. Can anyone clarify what can do what?

2. How much RAM do i really need for XP (I think im on 32bit) (Vista will be installed when i get my new computer (nehalem) but by then DDR3 will be used). So should i just get 2Gb? I play alot of games and when i get my ATI 4870, i will start playing Crysis.

3. When i get the new ram, and i put the in the slots, will they work up until the BIOS, as my stock voltage is 1.8v? Cause i will need to change the voltages to something that the RAM supports.

4. In my Bios, my current RAM voltage it allows me to use is:
1.8v ; 1.85v ; 2.0v ; 2.2V.

Will these options change if i get new RAM, cause that does not support GeIL's 1.9v that is needed to operate (at 800MHz). My mobo manual says that there are increments of 0.05v though???

It will really help me know more about RAM modules.

thanks for the help guys

Computer Freak
 
1. 32bit OSes can handle 4GB of address space. How much RAM this translates into is variable. It usually ends up being around 3GB.
2. I use 2GB of RAM in XP and it runs fine.
3. If the new RAM doesn't work use the old RAM to change the voltage to the required amount.
4. All available options should be visible and selectable. Make sure the required settings are set to manual.
 
Cromewell said:
1. 32bit OSes can handle 4GB of address space. How much RAM this translates into is variable. It usually ends up being around 3GB.
2. I use 2GB of RAM in XP and it runs fine.
3. If the new RAM doesn't work use the old RAM to change the voltage to the required amount.
4. All available options should be visible and selectable. Make sure the required settings are set to manual.
Click to expand...

1. So there is no such thing as not being able to use 4gigs of RAM?

2. I also use 2Gb, but will and extra 2Gb help, or is it wasted money? (The jump from 1Gb to 2Gb, was big, especially in games,. Will it be that big of a jump?)

3. But will the compouter boot till the BIOS? And since my RAM is meant to handle 1.8v, wouldnt it be dangerous to change to 1.9v and then let my computer will boot? (I got cheapo ram)

4. Those are the only options i have. And i can change everything manually
 
Computer_Freak said:
1. So there is no such thing as not being able to use 4gigs of RAM?

2. I also use 2Gb, but will and extra 2Gb help, or is it wasted money? (The jump from 1Gb to 2Gb, was big, especially in games,. Will it be that big of a jump?)

3. But will the compouter boot till the BIOS? And since my RAM is meant to handle 1.8v, wouldnt it be dangerous to change to 1.9v and then let my computer will boot? (I got cheapo ram)

4. Those are the only options i have. And i can change everything manually
Click to expand...

1. Well you'll only be able to see about 3.2gigs of ram when you use Windows..
2. The jump from 2GB to 4GB is not really noticeable.
3. Put the ram in and see, try running the Geil at 1.85v and see what happens
 
1. In 32bit OS you can only really use about 3G of RAM even if you have 4

2. It depends on the games that you are playing. The reason that the jump from 1 to 2 was so big is probably because you were maxing out your 1G of RAM and it was causing a bottleneck within the entire system. When you upgraded to 2 it gave your system some headroom. If the games you are playing now do not utilize the full 2G then when you have 4G it will be that much more idle RAM.

However, if the games you are/want to play are maxing out the 2G of RAM then yes, 4G will be another large jump in performance.

3. The new RAM should be able to work with 1.8V, however it will be underclocked (slowwww). Alternatively, if you bump your old RAM .1v it shouldn't have any problems.
 
yeah if you want to utilise 4gb of ram properley you need vista x64 (home premium or above) and a 64 bit CPU
 
yeah if you want to utilise 4gb of ram properley you need vista x64 (home premium or above) and a 64 bit CPU
Click to expand...
It doesn't have to be vista. Any 64bit OS will do.
3. But will the compouter boot till the BIOS? And since my RAM is meant to handle 1.8v, wouldnt it be dangerous to change to 1.9v and then let my computer will boot? (I got cheapo ram)
Click to expand...
Sometimes it will sometimes it wont. Your other RAM will be fine. You don't want to run 2.4v through it for extended periods or anything but +0.1v is really nothing.
 
he was referring to windows and playing crysis

xp pro x64 is a pain in the ass, therefore vista was assumed
 
xp pro x64 is a pain in the ass, therefore vista was assumed
Click to expand...
There is more than just windows out there :)
Howso? People always say that, but I never actually knew why?
Click to expand...
Drivers. Do you remember what Vista was like at release with driver support? XP x64 was/is like that.
 
jdbennet said:
he was referring to windows and playing crysis

xp pro x64 is a pain in the ass, therefore vista was assumed
Click to expand...

Crysis and CoD4.

but Mainly CoD4 - Cause crysis is played at the lowest setings :( -

How do i see how much RAM is being used? I know that the OS takes like 200Mb+ depending on which OS...

And if I raise my voltge on my cheapo RAM, will it overclock (like dropping voltage underclocks)?

The only Real reason i want to get this RAM is cause its CL4 DDR2 800 and compared to my CL6 DDR2 800, its better. Plus it has a heatsink.

I got another question. My Mobo Supports only up to DDR2 800. If i raise the voltage and the clock increases, will the RAM work or be read by my Mobo? Or does it have to bee at 800 (and the extra from the CPU overclock)?
 
a clean xp will use like 100/200mb and one with antivirus, goodies etc... will run 300-600mb

vista will run 400mb clean to about 500-1gb in normal use

so for games requirements, add an extra half a gig for vista.
 
imo dont bother spending money on an old computer, it'll be unbalanced and parts will bottleneck. 2gb should be just finnnne.

as always with video cards, the best thing to spend money on is the video card. the processor can be overclocked like crazy and your ram shouldn't be a problem as long as you have enough.

concentrate your money on your new build when you make it, and for now keep the settings on your game at medium-high instead of full high settings.

thats my 2 cents.. lol
 
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