Expand RAM, Windows OEM license

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Nizhny Tagil

Nizhny Tagil

Commendable
Aug 16, 2016
68
0
1,640
My system:
Mobo: Asus P5QC
CPU: Q9550
RAM: 2x2GB Corsair XMS2 DDR2 1066
PSU: Bequiet SP7 450
HDD: 1 SSD, 2 7200 RPM, 1 5400RPM
VGA: Geforce GTX750Ti KalmX

Since I've replaced the E7500 CPU with a Q9550 I can't run the RAM at 1066 without causing an automatic restart at boot.
Therefore, since my mobo doesn't support more than 2x2GB of DDR2 1066 and I have to run it at 800 anyway, I was thinking about switching to DDR2 800 to expand the RAM.

I have two possibilities.
One, to keep the 1066 modules and try and install these: https://www.amazon.it/gp/product/B0027P9C9G/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A11IL2PNWYJU7H, but I fear this might cause instability due to being a different model, although similar, than what I have.
The other is to buy 2 couples of this: https://www.amazon.it/gp/product/B00374165O/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A22K8UVALPU7Q3, which seems to be the most affordable memory of this kind that my mobo supports.

Now, other possible problems: I have an OEM license for Windows 7 x64 (now upgraded to Windows 10), so I don't want to invalidate it and I have a dual-boot system with Windows XP 32-bit which can't see more than 4 GB of memory and I wouldn't want to cause instability there, too.

If anybody could suggest me what to do before I make a purchase, that would be very helpful. Thanks.
 
Solution
geofelt
The QVL lists may not get updated after the motherboard is released.
If a ram vendor says you are supported then you are ok.
Otherwise you are on your own.

Disparate kits sometimes do not work, even with the identical part numbers.
If you are ok with that possibility and can return the ram, then ok.

Your oem license will be ok just so long as you do not change out your motherboard.
It is good for either the 32 bit version or the 64 bit version.
You can dual boot if you want.
I keep a 32 bit version around just so I can run Civilization 2.42.
Sort by date Sort by votes
G

gillhooley

Distinguished
Aug 1, 2006
297
0
18,810
You should have no issue running different types of Ram so long as teh speed is the same. I have for years. You also wil have no issue having 8gb of ram and running XP. It will only use 4gb but that is fine.

Good Luck
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Nizhny Tagil

Nizhny Tagil

Commendable
Aug 16, 2016
68
0
1,640


It would be 60 euros at least.
The fact is, I'm stuck with this machine because I want to keep XP around for my old software and new hardware doesn't support it and Windows' license is tied to the hardware.
Besides, I don't play new games and I don't necessarily need more speed/performance, but I mainly do audio recording and production and, if you use samples and virtual instruments, it really helps having as much memory as possible.



If I add memory to what I already have, it would have to be of a different speed, because my mobo doesn't support more than 2x2GB of DDR2 1066; but I obviously would run it all at 800.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
basroil

basroil

Glorious
Oct 19, 2013
8,698
1
46,960


Just set up a virtual machine in your new machine, should work perfectly even with skylake and 32gb ram (only able to access 4cores and 4gb max of course). If you need USB passthrough you'll probably need vmware's VM solution, if not any Windows 8.1 Pro or 10 Pro machine you can build today should have it (no h110/h81 motherboards though)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Nizhny Tagil

Nizhny Tagil

Commendable
Aug 16, 2016
68
0
1,640


As I said, I have an OEM license so if I change mobo/CPU I would have to re-purchase Windows as well.
Besides, I've already tried virtual machines and they just don't work for old games. Too many hardware restrictions and incompatibilities and very low performance.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
geofelt

geofelt

Titan
Oct 9, 2006
54,374
4,185
174,240
Your motherboard is one of the few strange ones that can support either ddr3 in a 2 x 4gb @1333 or DDR2 4 x 4gb @1066.
https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P5QC/specifications/

In general, more ram trumps faster ram.
If you want more, buy a supported single kit of the capacity you need.
Ram web sites will have selection apps. Enter your motherboard and you will get a list of compatible kits.

Ram is sold in kits for a reason.
A motherboard must manage all the ram using the same specs of voltage, cas and speed.
Ram from the same vendor and part number can be made up of differing manufacturing components over time.
Some motherboards can be very sensitive to this.
That is why ram vendors will NOT support ram that is not bought in one kit.

At this point, I would not spend much to upgrade. Perhaps you can find what you need used on ebay.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Nizhny Tagil

Nizhny Tagil

Commendable
Aug 16, 2016
68
0
1,640


Yes, but shortly after the specs say that "*DDR2 1066MHz DIMMs work only on the black slots for one DIMM per channel. Ensure to install the DDR2 1066MHz DIMMs ONLY on the BLACK slots!", and since the QVL doesn't mention supported models for 4GB single modules, I can't have more than 4 GB max of 1066 installed.
Same goes for DDR3. There's no confirmed support for 4 GB modules, so I could mount only 4 GB max of that, too.

Of course I know it would be better to buy identical modules, but the Corsair modules I've linked and the ones I've got now would work with the same speed/timings/voltage. In fact, the DDR2 1066 memory works good for me only if used with the settings for DDR2 800.
Besides, that solution would have meant not messing with the OEM license, since I would have only added things; but I agree that instability would be a risk.

Couldn't find anything used for a decent price. Besides, Amazon's return policy is extremely good compared to eBay's.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
geofelt

geofelt

Titan
Oct 9, 2006
54,374
4,185
174,240
The QVL lists may not get updated after the motherboard is released.
If a ram vendor says you are supported then you are ok.
Otherwise you are on your own.

Disparate kits sometimes do not work, even with the identical part numbers.
If you are ok with that possibility and can return the ram, then ok.

Your oem license will be ok just so long as you do not change out your motherboard.
It is good for either the 32 bit version or the 64 bit version.
You can dual boot if you want.
I keep a 32 bit version around just so I can run Civilization 2.42.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
Nizhny Tagil

Nizhny Tagil

Commendable
Aug 16, 2016
68
0
1,640


You mean that even if you get two perfectly identical kits of 2x2GB you still can run into issues?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
geofelt

geofelt

Titan
Oct 9, 2006
54,374
4,185
174,240


Yes, because two kits can never be perfectly identical unless the vendor can test them together,
Most of the time, you will have no problem.
And it becomes more iffy when you are looking at 4 sticks vs 2.

Considering the low price of ram today, I would buy what you want in a single kit.

I put your odds of success at 80% that a second set of sticks will work properly.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Nizhny Tagil

Nizhny Tagil

Commendable
Aug 16, 2016
68
0
1,640


I hope you'll excuse my ignorance, but isn't that a little exagerated?
I hear people upgrading RAM all the time, even different models or brands, and what about people expanding to 16 or 32 GB? If those were the odds, it would be extremely hard! I personally wouldn't mix RAM or suggest to do it, of course.

Anyway, I've found very few options around, the best being probably those Samsung I've linked before. Even fewer for 8 GB kits, unless maybe I buy from China or US and/or used.
RAM isn't very expensive but old RAM apparently is.
Besides, being old hardware, there's very little info about compatibility.

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom