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Forum Motherboards & Memory : Memory - Quick noob question

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I am thinking about adding another 1GB(2x512MB) of RAM to my desktop below. I have a couple questions ordered in point:

1. Do I have to have the exact same RAM type/manufacturer?
2. Do I have to have the same frequency of RAM as my current?
3. After snapping in my two new sticks, closing the case, and starting up the computer...Do I have to change any settings in windows or my BIOS for the computer, or my games, to advantage of the new amount of RAM?
4. Will newer games like The Witcher, Bioshock, Medieval 2 Total War, Half Life 2, benefit from this upgrade in RAM? How much?

Thanks

Here is my current Rig:

Case: LOGISYS Computer CS600BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811148004

Motherboard: ASUS A8V DELUXE 939 VIA K8T800 Pro ATX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131510

Power Supply: Antec TRUE480 ATX 480W Power Supply 115/ 230 V
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817103909

CD Drive: LITE-ON Black 52X CD-R 32X CD-RW 52X CD-ROM 2MB Cache IDE CD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827106942

DVD Drive: LITE-ON Black 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM IDE DVD-ROM Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827131119

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Newcastle 2.2GHz 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103463

Graphics Card: Nvidia BFG 6800 OC 128MB AGP 4X/8X
(not the same, but close= http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 814130083R

Hard Drive: Maxtor Ultra Series Kits L01M080 80GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache IDE Ultra ATA133 Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822144350

RAM: Kingston HyperX 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820144114

OS: Win XP 32 Bit

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its best to have more importantly the same speed than the same brand, but all same is the best. SO you allready have 2 sticks populated, do you have 2 more empty? What are you planning to improve by more ram?

Message edited by DiscoDuck on 02-13-2008 at 11:09:47 PM

Reply to DiscoDuck

Quote :

1. Do I have to have the exact same RAM type/manufacturer?

If the exact RAM is available, use it. Combining RAM Mfg.'s DIMMS is a grab bag of sorts, but 'other' RAM will work if that is your question.

Quote :

2. Do I have to have the same frequency of RAM as my current?

Combining RAM speeds will cause the higher speed DIMM to run at the lower speed of the two. Use same speed, CAS, voltage, etc. if exact DIMMs are not availble.

Quote :

3. After snapping in my two new sticks, closing the case, and starting up the computer...Do I have to change any settings in windows or my BIOS for the computer, or my games, to advantage of the new amount of RAM?

You should set the RAM timings and voltage to Mfg. specs in BIOS. Use one DIMM in slot 1 to get in BIOS and set the voltage/timing values then shut down and add the remaing DIMMs.

Quote :

4. Will newer games like The Witcher, Bioshock, Medieval 2 Total War, Half Life 2, benefit from this upgrade in RAM? How much?

Having more system RAM is most often a positive thing.

Reply to badge

You should just be able to snap in the new ram and restart, I would enter the BIOS on startup to make sure all the setting are where you want them. Are you going to buy or do you have the ram? Make sure that the new ram matches the old as to specs. I'm thinking that two moduals are better than four in that the way the MB handles them is different. So you have 1GB now and want to add 1GB? Even if there is a slight difference in having 2x1gb or 4x512 I would say that you might not even notice it. I would also think that you will notice having the extra ram no matter what configuration.

Reply to topper743

Just make sure the ram you get matches the motherboards requirements. DDR 400 184 pin. Preferably the same speed as the older sticks. Same brands might play nicer together than a mix and match set.

Reply to APieceOfCheese

The Witcher should benefit from more RAM. Don't know about the others. Of course, if you have other things running in the background that take lots of RAM then all games will benefit. I think it's a good idea.

Reply to aevm

So I can't just stick them in and start it up?

Reply to Chimera6586

Chrimera6586,

Normally after installing more memory, the BIOS will give a mismatch memory error. It sees it different amount of memory what it used then last time you when in to BIOS. Go into BIOS and check to make the memory is right. Save and exit the BIOS. Should boot up normal now. As for OS, OS will adjust to new memory itself.

Reply to wmalinowski

Thanks for the reply.

I have never been in BIOS. Is it hard? What should I set stuff to?

Reply to Chimera6586

I have a similar question:
I currently have a pair of Corsair Dominator 800 4-4-4-12 and need to get another 2 gigs...I know I will only see 3 total.
I dont have the good ones,these are the ones that caused an up-roar when people found out they where Promos and not Micron,but thats besides the point
My question is, can I just add a regular pair of Corsair 800 with same specs.Will they affect my OC?
I am using Vista32 and have a E6550 @ 3500 bus speed 2000

For those that may ask why do I want another gig...well I notice lagg in BF2142 and Call of Duty4 and when I check the task manager,what do you know,system using 94% of memory.The games alone use well over a gig.so thats why.

Message edited by ivanski on 02-14-2008 at 05:15:26 PM

Reply to ivanski

tehhardpro wrote :

BIOS will eat ur brain out whit a spoon
a quick noob answer lol

Whaaaa...please explain.

Reply to ivanski

tehhardpro wrote :

chimanera cant help you he plays too mcuh wqarcraft so he thoinks hes a two headed dragon with corrosive breath. umm just kick ur bios or train it. Say : sit and give him a pieco of food. imagine ur bios is a dog..

please do elaborate. :sarcastic:

Reply to badge

Quote :

hi, I'm lost. i do elaborate about nothing because obviously I know nothing are u happy now I've realized I am an imbesile who doesn't belong here/fixed?

Message edited by badge on 02-14-2008 at 05:41:03 PM

Reply to badge

Hopefully we'll get a quick troll ban.

Chimera, after a possible error message on the first boot after you install the new RAM, you will likely not need to do anything at all. If you do have further problems, you may need to enter your BIOS to adjust settings, but probably not. Let us know if you do have more issues.

------------------------------ There is ALWAYS a drone. Exactly where, or how many drones you will encounter may vary, but that there will be at least one will not.
Reply to jtt283

Wow, I've been on this forum a long time, and this is the first time I get "a message has already been sent to the moderators". Somebody beat me to it

Reply to aevm

yes, RAM is plug and play. You can stick it in, boot to windows and everything will work. Right click on 'my computer' and click 'properties' to check to make sure your system sees the new amount of memory.

many of the replies that you're getting (timings, voltage) are frivolous steps if you're not a power user.

Reply to cirdecus

If you have to buy the RAM (rather than getting a hand-me-down) I might advise against it. Your processor and graphics card will be holding you back a lot and the money you spend on old RAM might be better spent if you put it towards a newer system. The price of 2x512MB PC-3200 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145440) is higher than 2x1GB of PC2-6400 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227124).
My point is: you'd get a much larger performance boost by upgrading to even a low end CPU, motherboard, and RAM with a half-way decent graphics card. Unfortunately all that would cost you significantly more... about $340 off the top of my head for an E2160, DS3L, 2GB, 2600XT(?). I'm sure someone could give you a specific build (possibly better suited than what I'm thinking of and maybe for even less)

-mcg

Reply to MrCommunistGen

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