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[Solved] Memory question 1X512 or 2X256

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Best answer from GhislainG.

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jgiron   10-05-2009 at 03:25:22 AM

I m working on my uncle's computer which needs a re-format and he has the exact same computer as my father's computer which was electrified.
My uncle's computer has 1 stick of 512 MB, DDR, 333, PC2700U-25330-B0 memory. My Dad's computer has 2 sticks of 256MB DDR, 400 PC3200U-20220-A0 memory. I think my dad's memory is better and I am considering replacing the 1X512 with the 2X256. There are only 2 memory slots. What advice would you recommend?

------------------------------ TK your friends, their screams are better than your enemies.
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Best answer from GhislainG
If the PC can take advantage of faster memory, then go ahead and perform the swap. If he could take advantage of more memory, then you could add one 256MB module for a total of 768MB.
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Bronze Motherboards badge GhislainG   10-05-2009 at 04:29:46 AM
Best answer

If the PC can take advantage of faster memory, then go ahead and perform the swap. If he could take advantage of more memory, then you could add one 256MB module for a total of 768MB.

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Silver Motherboards badge mongox   10-05-2009 at 07:01:43 AM

Guessing at the age of these computers, it's unlikely that they support dual-channel memory. So the only advantage to using the "faster" pair of 256MB modules is the speed of the RAM itself. This is a minor thing compared to the speed that would be gained by adding the single 256MB module to increase the total system memory.

 

Go with adding the single module. If it works, you've done the best for the system!

 

Keep in mind that the electric shock to the 2nd system may have damaged the RAM. You should test the module(s) once in place with a program like memtest86.


Message edited by mongox on 10-05-2009 at 07:03:04 AM
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jitpublisher   10-05-2009 at 04:43:45 PM

I'd say simply add 1 of the 256 meg sticks, RAM speed on that system is of no consenquence. What is of more importance is simply more memory. If the system had 2 gig of memory, then I would start worring about the speed of the memory.
But until you go over at least 1 gig, more of anything no matter what the speed or of it, or if it even matches the other sticks, will yield a much better result than a faster rating.

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jgiron   10-06-2009 at 03:44:35 AM

Thanks for all your posts, I have joined the 512 and 256 sticks together.

------------------------------ TK your friends, their screams are better than your enemies.
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