Upgrading RAM in Vista 32-bit

[mxspear]

Helllo,

I am in a rather minor dilemma. I just purchased 4gb (2x2gb) of: "Corsair XMS2 TWIN2X4096-6400C5 G PC2-6400 DDR2 800" for $50CAD total. My current system specs are below:

AMD 4400 X2
ASUS M2N-E
2gb (2x1gb) Corsair XMS2 DDR2 667
ATI X1900XT 512mb
Seagate 7200.10 250gb
Vista Business 32-bit
Running: 1920x1200 24" monitor (possibility to add a 2nd)

After purchasing, I realized that Vista 32-bit isn't going to recognize all 6gb I now have, rather somewhere around 3.5gb.

My question to you is:

1) do I take out the 2gb of DDR2 667 and put in the 4gb of DDR2 800; or,
2) do I return the 4gb, and wait for an OS and/or system upgrade before buying more RAM?

Really, the question is: am I going to see substantial performance advantages with this $50 or RAM, or is there somewhere else in my system the money would be better spent? I game occasionally, and use Adobe CS4 products.

Thanks for your time,

mxspear

 

[o1die]

I would only use the ddr2 800. The other ram will slow your system down. 4 gb is plenty for just about any application.

 

[Peaks]

Not a good idea to run two different kinds of RAM, often unstable.

I would await a new operating system then put in just the 4GB of DDR2 800 (that all you will need)

lol o1die we posted at the same time I think..

 

[jitpublisher]

Personally, for no more than it cost, pull the 2 gig of 667 out, give it to someone.
Put in the 4 gig of 800mhz memory and be happy.

 

[Scotteq]

Plan A: If your Vista license is Retail, Microsoft will send you a 64 bit DVD for something like $10 shipping and handling. Requires a clean install, but you'll be able to use everything.

Plan B: Pull down Win 7 64bit Beta from a Torrent and use that until later this year when that OS goes generally available. Requires a clean install, and another clean install later this year when you get the production version. But you'll be able to use everything.

Plan C: Install the two 2GB sticks of DDR2 800, give the 667 to a friend or whatever, and accept that you will only have around 3.2GB available for usage.

 

[mxspear]

Alright, thanks for all the responses. It seems like a consensus on installing the 4gb and gifting the old 2gb to someone. Sounds good to me!

Scotteq, I received my copy of Vista through my University, but they don't supply 64bit version. I take it that means it's not "retail" and therefore Microsoft wouldn't send me the 64bit DVD. Maybe I'll try 7, I don't mind doing a clean install...

Thanks
mxspear

 

[Scotteq]

KK - On 7 - Build 7000 is the 'official' beta version. I believe there should be a 64 bit build 7048, or maybe newer out there somewhere. The Rumor Mill seems to indicate May for an official release candidate.