What RAM to buy?

[bjdj82]

Hello

I want to put an extra 1gb of RAM in my PC

CPU: Pentium D 930, 3.00 ghz

Motherboard: Asus p5p800-vm

GPU: Gainward 7800 GS AGP

RAM: Made by dane-elec, ddr, 512 mb, non-ecc, non-registered, non-bufferen, 400 (200) mhz, 184 pin, pc3200, 2.5 v

I want to extend my current 2 x 512 mb with another 2 x 512 mb but I have doubts in regard to compatability. I would very much like suggestions about what RAM to get. It doesn't have to be the best on the market - it just have to be functional and stable. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[bjdj82]

If the people need more info please tell me and I'll do the best to provide it. I seriously want more RAM!

 

[caniba]

Google your mobo for specs. If your mb supports it get 2 x 1gb sticks of ddr pc3200 which would be much better than 4 x 512mb.

 

[jerreece]

Google your mobo for specs. If your mb supports it get 2 x 1gb sticks of ddr pc3200 which would be much better than 4 x 512mb.

I agree. It's usually better to do 2 x 1GB than 4 x 512MB. The fewer actual sticks of RAM you have, the better typically.

Plus, your memory being pretty old, it should be fairly cheap.

If you want more 512MB sticks, this is a fairly cheap one that's a decent brand.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820141402

The best bet, for 2GB of RAM total, and cheapest price, I'd go for this:

Kingston 2GB (2 x 1GB) KVR400D2D8R3K2/2G $36.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134272&nm_mc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r&cm_mmc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r-_-Memory+(Server+Memory)-_-Kingston+Technology-_-20134272

Asus shows the following for your Motherboard:

4 x DIMM, Max. 4 GB, DDR 400/333/266 SDRAM ,Non-ECC,Un-buffered Memory
Dual Channel memory architecture

So since you have 4 slots, with a max of 4GB, I'd say you're looking at a limit of 1GB per slot. So 1GB memory sticks is your max size.

 

[bjdj82]

Thanks a bunch for the replies - I don't know if I'm quite there yet.

Some further questions regarding what you wrote:

" I agree. It's usually better to do 2 x 1GB than 4 x 512MB. The fewer actual sticks of RAM you have, the better typically."

Okay, and that also goes for dual channel then?


"The best bet, for 2GB of RAM total, and cheapest price, I'd go for this:


Kingston 2GB (2 x 1GB) KVR400D2D8R3K2/2G $36.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] _-20134272"

But this is ddr2 RAM with 214 pin - will that work?

I'd love to follow the first suggestion ("If your mb supports it get 2 x 1gb sticks of ddr pc3200 which would be much better than 4 x 512mb.") but I'm still not sure about what RAM is compatible with mine in regards to registered and unregistered RAM and so forth.

Is it safe for me to buy and install RAM with this specification:

4 x DIMM, Max. 4 GB, DDR 400/333/266 SDRAM ,Non-ECC,Un-buffered Memory


I am, as if you hadn't noticed, a total newbie when it comes to RAM and sure do appreciate all the help that I can get.

 

[bjdj82]

Productdescription: Corsair Value Select memmory - 512 MB - DIMM 184-PIN - DDR
512 MB
Technology: DDR SDRAM
Model: DIMM 184-PIN
Memmoryfrequency: 400 MHz ( PC3200 )
CL2.5
Non-buffered

Would it be safe for me to buy this I wonder?

 

[caniba]

For your MB the ram must be ddr not ddr2.

Here are 2 good options.

Gskill

OCZ

 

[caniba]

Productdescription: Corsair Value Select memmory - 512 MB - DIMM 184-PIN - DDR
512 MB
Technology: DDR SDRAM
Model: DIMM 184-PIN
Memmoryfrequency: 400 MHz ( PC3200 )
CL2.5
Non-buffered

Would it be safe for me to buy this I wonder?

Yes it will work.

 

[bjdj82]

That's great - Thanks for the help guys. I'm gonna buy me some RAM now

PS
How do you mark a topic as being solved?