| Hello and Welcome to Tech Support Team! Before you can start posting and answering questions, you'll have to register. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free! Feel free to browse through existing questions by choosing the forum you want to visit below. | |
|
 | | 
22nd January 2009, 11:10 PM
|  | TST Member | | Join Date: Jan 2009, 103 posts. Location: New Jersey, USA Reputation:  | | | Crucial Memory
I recently had Crucial scan my computer with the idea of improving performance and they gave me some options for upgrading and also some prices for their 1 and 2 gig sticks. I'm wondering if those of you who are more in the know than myself would be able to advise me as to whether $36 per gig of memory is a fair price or should I look around for a better price.
And feedback on this would be much appreciated.
Len
|
23rd January 2009, 01:50 AM
| | TST Member | | Join Date: Jan 2009, 103 posts. Location: New Jersey, USA Reputation: | | |
Nevermind the above. I bought a stick from Crucial and now just need to know if when I get it there is anything special I will need to do after I install it?
Len
|
23rd January 2009, 02:03 AM
|  | Newcomer | | Join Date: Jan 2009, 43 posts. Location: Western, Ma., USA Reputation: | | |
Just turn on the computer. The bios should find it without issue.
|
23rd January 2009, 11:04 AM
| | TST Member | | Join Date: Jan 2009, 103 posts. Location: New Jersey, USA Reputation: | | |
Thank you for the quick reply. It is appreciated.
Len
|
23rd January 2009, 11:32 AM
|  | TST Oracle | | Join Date: Jul 2008, 8,169 posts. Location: UK Norfolk ..... Reputation: | |
Have you added memory before ??
Install your new RAM
1.
Turn off the computer and touch the metal casing.
2.
Locate the RAM modules. Find the empty one you plan to replace, or remove the RAM module you will replace.
3.
Line up the notches of the new RAM module and apply firm pressure to attach.
4.
Once you're sure the RAM module is snugly in place, close the latch at either end. If you have clips, they should snap back in place.
5.
Reconnect all the cables, but leave the casing open until you're sure everything is working right.
6.
Turn your computer back on. If the machine starts to beep, the memory is either incompatible or not in correctly, If you've installed everything correctly, the system will detect the new RAM.
7.
Check the system properties to see how much RAM you now have. If you replaced a 128 MB with a 512 MB module, then you should have 512 minus 128 equals 384 MB more RAM than you did previously. If you added the RAM but didn't remove any, then you'd have 512 MB more RAM.
8.
Try one of your programs that wasn't working up to speed. If it still isn't working, unplug everything again and get back into the computer to check that the RAM modules are firmly secured. http://www.microsoft.com/athome/moredone/addmemory.mspx
Some info for you
__________________ Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming...
Damn, What a ride!!  |
23rd January 2009, 03:50 PM
|  | TST Master | | Join Date: Dec 2007, 2,107 posts. Location: England Reputation: | | |
Also, make sure the ram you just bought is exactly the same speed as the ram you already have if you are going to use it to add to your existing ram. Mixing ram speeds can have disastrous consequences, from bsod's to mobo damage.
__________________ "If at first you do not succeed, sit down, have a coffee, have a smoke, and think for a bit. If that still doesn't work, post it on TST". |
23rd January 2009, 11:15 PM
|  | TST Expert | | Join Date: Aug 2008, 776 posts. Reputation: | |
I've most always found mixing ram speeds is not harmful but merely limiting as
in all the ram gear toward the lowest speed installed. |
23rd January 2009, 11:19 PM
| | TST Master | | Join Date: Dec 2007, 2,107 posts. Location: England Reputation: | | |
You have been lucky then. I have come across 3 packard bell pc's, all damaged by mismatched ram. More recently, I sorted 2 dell's that wouldn't even start with the mismatch of ram they had in them.
__________________ "If at first you do not succeed, sit down, have a coffee, have a smoke, and think for a bit. If that still doesn't work, post it on TST". |
23rd January 2009, 11:35 PM
| | TST Expert | | Join Date: Aug 2008, 776 posts. Reputation: | |
I've seen it's more likely to be a case of density problems between mismatches.
I believe you but I just haven't run into probs on speed alone.
May next time though.  |
24th January 2009, 04:18 PM
| | TST Member | | Join Date: Jan 2009, 103 posts. Location: New Jersey, USA Reputation: | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Gunner  I've most always found mixing ram speeds is not harmful but merely limiting as
in all the ram gear toward the lowest speed installed. | Well, if I read this correctly the 1 gig I just bought will be of no use unless I remove the 512 that is currently in there and would then be in there with it. Is that correct?
I bought it thinking that the total RAM would then be 1.5 gigs. But if keeping the 512 in there would limit it to that the extra RAM is useless.
Am I reading this correctly?
Len
|
24th January 2009, 09:18 PM
| | TST Member | | Join Date: Jan 2009, 103 posts. Location: New Jersey, USA Reputation: | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Gunner I've most always found mixing ram speeds is not harmful but merely limiting as
in all the ram gear toward the lowest speed installed. |
I have a question on this reply. I currently have a 512 stick in the computer and just purchased a 1 gig as an addition. Am I reading this correctly? When I install the new 1 gig stick the computer will only work off of the 512?
I was under the impression that it would then be using ALL the RAM installed and I'd then have a total of 1.5 gigs. to work with. But as I read this if I leave the 512in along with the 1 gig, it will still only run off of the 512?
Can someone please clarify. No sense in leaving both in if the lower RAM is all that will be used by the computer.
Len
|
25th January 2009, 01:41 AM
| | TST Master | | Join Date: Dec 2007, 2,107 posts. Location: England Reputation: | | |
Sorry djlen, for some unknown reason your last 2 posts required permission from a moderator, I have no idea why tho??
Answer to your question. What Gunner means is, if your new ram is faster than your old ram, then the new ram will run at the same speed as your old ram but no faster. Both sticks should work together provided your mobo properly supports 2 sticks of different sizes (some wont).
In my opinion, the best result you will get is to remove your old 512meg and fit the new 1gig by itself.
You will get a performance increase from having 1gig plus a performance increase from it's faster speed.
__________________ "If at first you do not succeed, sit down, have a coffee, have a smoke, and think for a bit. If that still doesn't work, post it on TST". |
25th January 2009, 03:01 AM
|  | TST Guru | | Join Date: Mar 2008, 1,360 posts. Location: USA, KY Reputation: | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Rik You have been lucky then. I have come across 3 packard bell pc's, all damaged by mismatched ram. More recently, I sorted 2 dell's that wouldn't even start with the mismatch of ram they had in them. | AH!! There was the problem Rik! lol
I ran two different brands of memory that were different speeds together for quite a long time. Worked fine, except they probably reverted to the lowest speed possible.
As Rik said, you best just to pop your 512 stick out and put your new 1 gig stick in. That way it runs at the speed its supposed to be at. You wouldn't notice a difference from 1gig to 1.5 probably anyway.
__________________
Facts are stubborn things, statistics are more pliable. Mark Twain
Honesty is the best policy -- when there is money in it. Mark Twain
I have been through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened. Mark Twain
|
25th January 2009, 03:05 AM
| | TST Member | | Join Date: Jan 2009, 103 posts. Location: New Jersey, USA Reputation: | | |
Ok, but I wish I'd been aware of that because I would have bought two of the 1 gig sticks and just pulled the 512 since I only have two slots. If I buy another gig will that work in tandem with the first gig to effectively give me two gigs total?
Thanks for the help..........and all your patience. Don't know why I needed permission either.
Maybe they think I'm a shady character. We'll see what happens with this post.
Len
|
25th January 2009, 03:09 AM
| | TST Guru | | Join Date: Mar 2008, 1,360 posts. Location: USA, KY Reputation: | |
Yup just buy the same exact stick as you just bought and you will be fine.
__________________
Facts are stubborn things, statistics are more pliable. Mark Twain
Honesty is the best policy -- when there is money in it. Mark Twain
I have been through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened. Mark Twain
|
25th January 2009, 03:11 AM
| | TST Master | | Join Date: Dec 2007, 2,107 posts. Location: England Reputation: | |
I think it was just a minor glitch that should soon be sorted.
To be honest, with windows XP, a gig is all you really need, adding another wont give you more than a tiny speed increase. It will be so small you won't notice it really.
__________________ "If at first you do not succeed, sit down, have a coffee, have a smoke, and think for a bit. If that still doesn't work, post it on TST". |
25th January 2009, 03:29 AM
| | TST Guru | | Join Date: Mar 2008, 1,360 posts. Location: USA, KY Reputation: | | |
Unless you play allot of games. But if all you had is 512 before than I am thinking you don't.
I noticed a big difference when I went from 1 to 2 when I played games. Speed it up a bit.
But as Rik says 1 gig is plenty in XP.
I got overkill in my system. Running 4 gigs. lol
__________________
Facts are stubborn things, statistics are more pliable. Mark Twain
Honesty is the best policy -- when there is money in it. Mark Twain
I have been through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened. Mark Twain
|
25th January 2009, 04:37 AM
| | TST Member | | Join Date: Jan 2009, 103 posts. Location: New Jersey, USA Reputation: | | |
Okay, what I'll do then is just pull the 512 and put the gig in it's place.
I don't play any games but do a lot of multi tasking and I burn movies and CD's and have to be careful not to over-do it when burning discs or coasters can be the result....lol
Hoping to see a nice speed up at 1 gig.......we'll see.
Thanks,
Len
|
25th January 2009, 04:42 AM
| | TST Master | | Join Date: Dec 2007, 2,107 posts. Location: England Reputation: | | |
It's a shame you didn't wait before ordering it, it's quite possible your pc may be able to take even faster ram.
__________________ "If at first you do not succeed, sit down, have a coffee, have a smoke, and think for a bit. If that still doesn't work, post it on TST". |
25th January 2009, 05:16 AM
| | TST Member | | Join Date: Jan 2009, 103 posts. Location: New Jersey, USA Reputation: | | |
I'm pretty sure that it can utilize up to 3 - 4 gigs, based on the test that Crucial did. But I only have two slots available and they only seem to have 1 gig sticks available, so I'm thinking that one gig at a time is the way to go and we'll see from there.
As I mentioned previously, I'm happy with the performance at 512 except when I put a heavy multi-tasking load on the computer. This should alleviate those issues for me and if not I'll get another gig.
Len
| | |  Only registered members can participate in forum threads. You must register or log in to contribute.
All times are GMT. The time now is 03:54 AM.
|
|
|
Submit Your Article 
Forum Rules 
FAQ 
About Us 
Main Menu
Contact Us