Windows7 32 bit, 2GB RAM (2x1GB), upgrade possible (or pointless)?

[Phaewryn]

Running windows 7 32 bit home premium on a gigabyte EP43-UD3L ultradurable board with a core 2 duo processor. The board takes DDR2 PC2-6400 RAM (currently has 2 strips of 1GB each, 2 1GB 240PIN, unbuff DIMM, 128Mx64DDR2, the box says), and I see there are plenty of 2GB and even 4GB strips made in that format, but reading around online, I have seen that adding RAM might be pointless because of the limitations of the 32 bit system. Is it pointless to add more ram to this system? I'd really like to be able to use this system a few more years, but it lags when running skype while gaming (very minor gaming), and I'd like to resolve that issue if possible. Will adding more RAM do anything, or is my system reaching its limitation point? I do know it is a few years outdated, just wondering if there's anything I can do other than build a new system entirely at this point (as money is kinda tight for that).

 

[Guest]

32-bit systems can only use up to 4gb of RAM given that only 4gb of RAM can be addressed(If you'd like the full, bitwise explanation I'd be happy to explain it). Adding RAM would definitely spruce up your system, though the build seems pretty low-end and it definitely wouldn't be called speedy even with added RAM.

 

[Phaewryn]

32-bit systems can only use up to 4gb of RAM given that only 4gb of RAM can be addressed(If you'd like the full, bitwise explanation I'd be happy to explain it). Adding RAM would definitely spruce up your system, though the build seems pretty low-end and it definitely wouldn't be called speedy even with added RAM.

It is low end. It was built just to surf the internet and listen to music. I have since begun to play some games, thus why I am bothering, as it works flawlessly for just internet surfing (all it was built to do). It does run most Steam games fine so long as I turn Skype off first, (I guess I just got lucky somehow, lol). So, if I may sum this up, you're saying that the most I will ever use is 4GB, so probably the best bet is to just add 2 more 1GB strips, as they are cheap, and I already have 2 1GB onboard already (for a total of 4GB)? Changing it to 4x2GB strips would not give me better performance in any way above the 4x1GB strips? Correct? I wouldn't mind knowing how it works, but I am short on the basic terminology, so your effort might be wasted.

So, something like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231170
or this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231088
or this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231099

What is the difference in the timing? How does that work? Does it matter in my case? Is 5-5-5-15 faster than 4-4-4-12?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148204 is what is already in it, in 2 slots, and it seems to be discontinued. Should I buy 4 that are all the same (or at least the same timing?), or can you mix two and two of different makes?

 

[Guest]

32-bit systems can only use up to 4gb of RAM given that only 4gb of RAM can be addressed(If you'd like the full, bitwise explanation I'd be happy to explain it). Adding RAM would definitely spruce up your system, though the build seems pretty low-end and it definitely wouldn't be called speedy even with added RAM.

It is low end. It was built just to surf the internet and listen to music. I have since begun to play some games, thus why I am bothering, as it works flawlessly for just internet surfing (all it was built to do). It does run most Steam games fine so long as I turn Skype off first, (I guess I just got lucky somehow, lol). So, if I may sum this up, you're saying that the most I will ever use is 4GB, so probably the best bet is to just add 2 more 1GB strips, as they are cheap, and I already have 2 1GB onboard already (for a total of 4GB)? Changing it to 4x2GB strips would not give me better performance in any way above the 4x1GB strips? Correct? I wouldn't mind knowing how it works, but I am short on the basic terminology, so your effort might be wasted.

You are correct. Getting two more 1gb sticks is what you should do(it's all you can do to increase the amount of RAM). The reason is this: A 32-bit processor has 32 pins with which it can address(it also outputs data in 32-bits but that's irrelevant). Addressing is assigning values to cells within RAM sequentially. Since each pin can have 2 states, electrically charged or not electrically charged, the number of combinations with which the processor can assign addresses is equal to 2 to the power of 32 which equals 4,294,967,296. That is equivalent to 4gb. That being said, the speed of the new RAM you intend to get should be the same speed(1333mhz, 1600mhz, etc.) as the RAM you currently have to ensure compatibility with both your current RAM and your motherboard

 

[Phaewryn]

32-bit systems can only use up to 4gb of RAM given that only 4gb of RAM can be addressed(If you'd like the full, bitwise explanation I'd be happy to explain it). Adding RAM would definitely spruce up your system, though the build seems pretty low-end and it definitely wouldn't be called speedy even with added RAM.

It is low end. It was built just to surf the internet and listen to music. I have since begun to play some games, thus why I am bothering, as it works flawlessly for just internet surfing (all it was built to do). It does run most Steam games fine so long as I turn Skype off first, (I guess I just got lucky somehow, lol). So, if I may sum this up, you're saying that the most I will ever use is 4GB, so probably the best bet is to just add 2 more 1GB strips, as they are cheap, and I already have 2 1GB onboard already (for a total of 4GB)? Changing it to 4x2GB strips would not give me better performance in any way above the 4x1GB strips? Correct? I wouldn't mind knowing how it works, but I am short on the basic terminology, so your effort might be wasted.

You are correct. Getting two more 1gb sticks is what you should do(it's all you can do to increase the amount of RAM). The reason is this: A 32-bit processor has 32 pins with which it can address(it also outputs data in 32-bits but that's irrelevant). Addressing is assigning values to cells within RAM sequentially. Since each pin can have 2 states, electrically charged or not electrically charged, the number of combinations with which the processor can assign addresses is equal to 2 to the power of 32 which equals 4,294,967,296. That is equivalent to 4gb. That being said, the speed of the new RAM you intend to get should be the same speed(1333mhz, 1600mhz, etc.) as the RAM you currently have to ensure compatibility with both your current RAM and your motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... is what is already in it, in 2 slots, and it seems to be discontinued. Should I buy 4 that are all the same (or at least the same timing?), or can you mix two and two of different makes/timings?

So, something like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
or this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
or this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

What is the difference in the timing? How does that work? Does it matter in my case? Is 5-5-5-15 faster than 4-4-4-12?

 

[Phaewryn]

It is this board (although, the colors on mine are not the same as the photo shown, which is bothersome to my security): http://www.gigabyte.us/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3290#ov

How do I know what speed (mhz) RAM this board can handle? The RAM in it gets bad reviews (and I do not see a mhz listed on it anywhere), so I guess I would buy 4 new strips of whatever the best I can put in it would be, if you'd be so kind as to advise me on that matter?

 

[Guest]

It is this board (although, the colors on mine are not the same as the photo shown, which is bothersome to my security): http://www.gigabyte.us/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3290#ov

How do I know what speed (mhz) RAM this board can handle? The RAM in it gets bad reviews (and I do not see a mhz listed on it anywhere), so I guess I would buy 4 new strips of whatever the best I can put in it would be, if you'd be so kind as to advise me on that matter?

So sorry it took so long to get back to you. The 4-4-4-12 is faster(latency timing). If the latencies, type, and speed are the same then the manufacturer is irrelevant. If you could re-post the RAM listing I could check compatibility(for some reason the link doesn't work). That makes the difference between $40 and $80 depending on whether or not you can use your previous RAM. Is it by chance one of these? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231144 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148248

 

[Phaewryn]

Probably because it's a discontinued item. They don't make them anymore. It's Crucial's Ballistix 2x 1GB 240pin UNBUFF DIMM 128Mx64DDR2 PC2-6400 CL4 E. I think it was discontinued by the manufacturer, as it seems to not exist online anymore. 800Mhz it says on the RAM itself (BL12864aa80a.8fh5, 4-4-4-12 2.0V), not on the package (hard to read it inside the case, sorry). I should/can just buy 4 new ones all together, probably be safer than trying to mix with discontinued models, right?

 

[Guest]

Probably because it's a discontinued item. They don't make them anymore. It's Crucial's Ballistix 2x 1GB 240pin UNBUFF DIMM 128Mx64DDR2 PC2-6400 CL4 E. I think it was discontinued by the manufacturer, as it seems to not exist online anymore. 800Mhz it says on the RAM itself (BL12864aa80a.8fh5, 4-4-4-12 2.0V), not on the package (hard to read it inside the case, sorry). I should/can just buy 4 new ones all together, probably be safer than trying to mix with discontinued models, right?

Yeah. Since I can't find the full specs online it's a much safer bet to just buy 4 new ones because mixing them with the old ones could ruin the new ones(it's unlikely, but possible). Unfortunately, that is more expensive. That being said, the added RAM will definitely improve performance on Windows 7.

 

[Phaewryn]

Probably because it's a discontinued item. They don't make them anymore. It's Crucial's Ballistix 2x 1GB 240pin UNBUFF DIMM 128Mx64DDR2 PC2-6400 CL4 E. I think it was discontinued by the manufacturer, as it seems to not exist online anymore. 800Mhz it says on the RAM itself (BL12864aa80a.8fh5, 4-4-4-12 2.0V), not on the package (hard to read it inside the case, sorry). I should/can just buy 4 new ones all together, probably be safer than trying to mix with discontinued models, right?

Yeah. Since I can't find the full specs online it's a much safer bet to just buy 4 new ones because mixing them with the old ones could ruin the new ones(it's unlikely, but possible). Unfortunately, that is more expensive. That being said, the added RAM will definitely improve performance on Windows 7.

So then, either of those two you posted are your best suggestions for buying new RAM for this board?

 

[Phaewryn]

Oh those are PC2-8500. This needs 800Mhz PC2-6400 I believe. Can I use PC2-8500 on this board? I guess a better question is, what is the highest/best option I can install on this board for either 1GB (4 total) or 2GB (2 total) RAM strips?

 

[Phaewryn]

I found two more of the same discontinued ram strips I have on ebay, it's a done deal! I know these work flawlessly on this board, so it will be an easy solution. Thanks for educating me on what a lot of this all means!

 

[Guest]

I found two more of the same discontinued ram strips I have on ebay, it's a done deal! I know these work flawlessly on this board, so it will be an easy solution. Thanks for educating me on what a lot of this all means!

Good! Money saved and compatibility guaranteed.