Duel Channel vs Single Channel (ddr2) - want to upgrade an old pc from 2009

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Oleg_84

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Apr 12, 2016
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Hello to everyone.

I want to upgrade to 8GB RAM.
Now, the problem is that the manufacturer says on their website
"* Because of Intel chipset limitation, please use single-side memory module if four memory modules are to be installed."

I have an old from 2009.
This is my motherboard - GA-EP41-UD3L
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3454#sp

I have DDR2 duel channel 2GB X 2 Ram from A-DATA (G series) - 4GB total.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211281

I am running Windows 7.
I want to improve the speed of my PC.
I do a lot of Unzip, open multiple folders and organization of files.
And I many times have multiple (sometimes 50-100) windows in browser, open at the same time.

I will be upgrading my OS HDD to SSD, which should improve my speeds (right? :) )
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

With that limitation written above, means I cannot add another 2GB X 2 duel channel 800mhz ram. Right?


If that is true then I have 3 options:
1. Adding another stick of 2GB which will also be 800mhz DDR2 duel channel, and have 6GB total
2. Removing my old memory and changing it into:
2.1 - 4 sticks of 2gb each, single channel DDR2 800 mhz.
2.2 - 2 sticks of 4gb each, duel channel DDR2 800mhz.

So my questions are:
A. Are these all my options or I have other ways to improve the speed of the computer by upgrading somehow the Ram?
B. If I remove the old memory, can/should I use a higher MHZ of DDR2 or 800 is the max for me?
C. Should I go with option 1, 2.1 or 2.2 ?
D. Will any of the options improve the speed of the computer while I work on multiple windows in browsers, in windows explorer etc?



This is what's written in the specifications:
4 x 1.8V DDR2 DIMM sockets supporting up to 8 GB of system memory
Dual channel memory architecture
Support for DDR2 1066(OC)/800/667 MHz memory modules
(Go to GIGABYTE's website for the latest memory support list.)
* Because of Intel chipset limitation, please use single-side memory module if four memory modules are to be installed.
 
Solution
Math Geek
the black squares on the ram are the memory chips. single sided means they are only on one side of the stick and if there are squares on both sides, then it is dual sided. from what i recall, ddr 2 ram 1 gb or more was always dual sided. at the time they could only get so much onto a chip and it took enough of them to get to 1 gb that they had to go on both sides of the stick.

micron_singlesided_01.jpg


and i was wondering why it could not take 4 dual sided sticks in my "don't know what the deal is..." comment. :) i would not have thought twice abut adding 2 more 2 gb sticks until reading the * about 4 dual sided ones. i don't know why but perhaps it's wise to believe them and...
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Math Geek

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it's not saying you can only use single channel memory but rather memory with chips only on one side. single sided memory and not single channel.

also note that you will need 64 bit windows if you don't already have it to take advantage of the extra ram. it is expensive as well since it is old tech and harder to find. check out crucial.com to let it scan and show you what is compatible with your mobo.

not sure what the deal is with not wanting dual sided ram but i don't think they make 2 gb sticks that are not 2 sided. they do make 2 x 4 gb kits but they are crazy expensive.

the extra ram will help with multitasking some but only so far. the cpu will determine more than anything. when doing what you normally do, check out task manager and see how much ram is being used. if it is near max that tells you more would help. if it is not all used then other parts are the issue and not the amount of ram.
 
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Oleg_84

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Apr 12, 2016
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Thank you for the reply.

Sorry, It does say "single side" and not single channel.
But it doesn't help me so much. How do I know if my A-DATA memory is single or duel side?
If it is single side then I can go ahead and add another 2 sticks of 2GB each and that would be great.

I do use a 64 bit windows 7.

Interesting thing you say about old tech. I thought it is old-ish. Not vintage. So thought it would be actually cheaper than the new stuff.

"not sure what the deal is with not wanting dual sided ram but i don't think they make 2 gb sticks that are not 2 sided. they do make 2 x 4 gb kits but they are crazy expensive"
Who's deal? It is not that I don't want, I just want it to work properly on the motherboard.

So what you think I should do then?
What is my best bet here? What are my options? Can I add something? Or just replace?
 
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Oleg_84

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Apr 12, 2016
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Here is a scan from Crucial.com (never heard about this website before)
http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/scanview/6331A9CE31D926C3

It didn't help me much. It gave me compatible memory, but it doesn't say if I can add that to my existing ones or it is just compatible but won't work with what I already have.
 
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Math Geek

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the black squares on the ram are the memory chips. single sided means they are only on one side of the stick and if there are squares on both sides, then it is dual sided. from what i recall, ddr 2 ram 1 gb or more was always dual sided. at the time they could only get so much onto a chip and it took enough of them to get to 1 gb that they had to go on both sides of the stick.

micron_singlesided_01.jpg


and i was wondering why it could not take 4 dual sided sticks in my "don't know what the deal is..." comment. :) i would not have thought twice abut adding 2 more 2 gb sticks until reading the * about 4 dual sided ones. i don't know why but perhaps it's wise to believe them and maybe only add one more stick for 6 gb total.

crucial makes the kingston brand of ram and other products. they sell as crucial online through the site and as kingston in stores. i like the site due to it's database of what ram can go where. even if i don't buy from them, i still go there to get some quick facts about a system or mobo and what it can handle.

here are 2 x 4 gb kits in case you wish to go for the full 8 gb. the gigabit site lists a few 4 gb sticks it says is compatible so that means it can handle a 2 x 4 gb kit. http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/memory/#s=201066,201200,200400,200533,200667,200800&Z=8192002&sort=a10&page=1

they start at about $80 and go up to $200+
 
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Solution
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Oleg_84

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Apr 12, 2016
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What do you think about this?
Will this work on my PC?
4GB X 2 of the same type exactly that I have now, the G series, but 4GB each instead of 2GB each

http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Real-original-ADATA-1GB-2GB-DDR2-800-memory-Ram-240PIN-PC2-6400-single-strip-Desktop-Ram/918646_889106155.html

 
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Math Geek

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as far as i can tell they would work in the system. i'm looking into the whole single sided requirement but so far not finding any reason they said this. but either way, it says it supports 4 gb sticks so a set of 2 makes 8gb and should work on the mobo.

update: still reading and i have no clue why gigabit says this about the ram. according to intel the chipset can support up to 4 sticks of 4 gb each dual sided. still confused but still looking to figure this one out. not often i get totally stumped like this and i won't be able to sleep until i figure it out.. :D
 
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