Computer memory questions

[HKemhorns]

I just bought 2 sticks of 512MB to add to my existing 2 256MB sticks and had a couple of questions.

1. I have heard that memory modules often have problems. How do you test this?

2. It would be interesting to benchmark the system before and after installation. How do you do this?

3. Should I put the sticks in any specific order? Should I move the 512MB sticks to where the original 256MB sticks were? Does the computer address these slots first? Does it make any difference?

Discuss amongst yourselves.

 

[zork]

Did you make sure to buy compatible memory for your motherboard and also with your current memory?

1. Ram can have problems but most of it is incompatibility with your motherboard or your other ram. The only way to really test it is with trial and error after making sure via specs that you have done to the best of your ability to get the right ram to upgrade your machine.

2. As long as you are using an operating system that can actually use the excess ram you just purchased you will undoubtably see better performance. More ram is like having a bigger table or bigger desk to work on your dissertation. You don't have to go to your filing cabinet or desk drawers to pull out more research items near as much when you have more ram. It is right there instantly waiting on you instead of having to go to the hard drive to get it.

With the algorithms of pre-fetching being used in todays operating systems more ram will be used by the computer but not always wisely. Buy as much as you can afford and your computer can handle. Although I just use 1GB of ram now in my machine that is about, not quite, 3 years old.(2Ghz P4)

3. order probably won't matter. i don't have an opinion on whether putting the bigger sticks in the lower numbered slots will make a difference. (possibly but probably not really)

If the different types of ram are compatible but run at different speeds then the higher speed ram will typicaly dumb down to the lower speed. So all your ram will work together at the same speed or it won't work if the high speed ram is incapable of dumbing itself down.

Trial and error won't hurt your hardware typically unless you just break it or zap it with static electricity changing out your ram modules. There is a possibility if you use bad ram, not incompatible but actually faulty, that you could develop data corruption. So it is always best to back up your most valued data, not software, if the worst were to occur.

That said, if you have compatible ram that should work with your existing ram and motherboard, installing new ram should be a breeze. Good luck.

 

[dustin_c1]

1. memtest86+

2. Depends on the application. Overall, I'd say don't bother.

3. If you have a newer AMD motherboard that supports dual channel, check your motherboard manual so that you pair them up correctly. If you don't, you won't get dual channel performance. Otherwise it won't matter.


Also, look at the speeds of the 256 and 512. If the 512 is PC 3200 and the 256 is PC 2100, throw the 256 sticks out. Your total system memory will only run as fast as your slowest stick.

 

[HKemhorns]

It's a P4 3ghz that's a little over a year old. I think it's an Intel 875P motherboard, if I remember correctly. I think that was a little before the dual channel time, but I'll look it up. It's all PC3200 memory.

So where do you get memtest86+? Is it an application you can download? Any spyware worries?

I figured you would respond Dustin. You should get the title of Horn Depot computer guru.

Thanks

 

[HKemhorns]

I stand corrected. It does run in dual channel mode. I would assume the original two sticks match and the two new sticks match, so I should be in good shape, right?

I plan on running memtest86+ before and after installing the new memory.

Is this where you get it? www.memtest.org

It looks like you just download it on the top level of your C drive and insert a floppy and it will take it from there. Is that right?

 

[Texas_Rocks]

I've got several 128 - 512 gb sticks for newer Dell series. I can sell these cheap if anyone is interested.

Might have a couple of 1gigs as well.

 

[dustin_c1]

In reply to:

---

---

 

[HKemhorns]

Cool program.

Thanks.

1.5 GB of RAM installed and error free.