Memory RAM Upgrade

KillerDesigns wrote:
> my motherboard accepts 2 ram sticks, due to some malfunction one of
> the ram sticks had to be removed, now the pc works only on one
> 256mb ram stick.
>
> i am considering installing 1gb of ram. now, is it better to
> install 1gb stick of ram or 2 X 512 mb of ram sticks; to take
> advantage of the dual channel and from the point of view of WinXP
> home which option is better?
>
> also, 1gb ram stick is somewhat cheaper than 2x 512mb sticks of ram.

Visit:
http://www.crucial.com

Use their "Crucial Memory AdvisorT tool" to figure out what you need.
(You don't have to buy from there. You can buy locally once you know the
specifications or you could use something like www.pricewatch.com to find
the best price on some lifetime warrantied memory.)

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
 >> Stay informed about: Memory RAM Upgrade 

As Shenan mentioned go the Crucial web site and use the
Advisor tool.

If you have decided on 1GB of memory, then go dual channel
(Two 512MB "Matched Pair" made by a quality manufacturer)
You may pay a little more to get a quality product but in the
end it's worth it.

Dual-channel architecture:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual-channel_architecture

Since you will end with two 512MB sticks, if one should
ever fail (one of mine did, but covered under warranty)
removing the defective memory stick with still leave
you with 512MB of memory which is more than
enough for most users.

JS
http://www.pagestart.com


"KillerDesigns" <KillerDesigns RemoveThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:BC9F1F30-4576-4D2A-8624-05BA5AD1EC0D@microsoft.com...
> hi,
>
> my motherboard accepts 2 ram sticks, due to some malfunction one of the
> ram
> sticks had to be removed, now the pc works only on one 256mb ram stick.
>
> i am considering installing 1gb of ram. now, is it better to install 1gb
> stick of ram or 2 X 512 mb of ram sticks; to take advantage of the dual
> channel and from the point of view of WinXP home which option is better?
>
> also, 1gb ram stick is somewhat cheaper than 2x 512mb sticks of ram.
>
> thanks for your reply/s.
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Memory RAM Upgrade 

thanks for your advice. and points noted. generally what option is better 1)
to install 1gb ram stick or 2) 2*512mb sticks. from the point of speed and
efficency of data transmission?

"JS" wrote:

> As Shenan mentioned go the Crucial web site and use the
> Advisor tool.
>
> If you have decided on 1GB of memory, then go dual channel
> (Two 512MB "Matched Pair" made by a quality manufacturer)
> You may pay a little more to get a quality product but in the
> end it's worth it.
>
> Dual-channel architecture:
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual-channel_architecture
>
> Since you will end with two 512MB sticks, if one should
> ever fail (one of mine did, but covered under warranty)
> removing the defective memory stick with still leave
> you with 512MB of memory which is more than
> enough for most users.
>
> JS
> http://www.pagestart.com
>
>
> "KillerDesigns" <KillerDesigns.DeleteThis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:BC9F1F30-4576-4D2A-8624-05BA5AD1EC0D@microsoft.com...
> > hi,
> >
> > my motherboard accepts 2 ram sticks, due to some malfunction one of the
> > ram
> > sticks had to be removed, now the pc works only on one 256mb ram stick.
> >
> > i am considering installing 1gb of ram. now, is it better to install 1gb
> > stick of ram or 2 X 512 mb of ram sticks; to take advantage of the dual
> > channel and from the point of view of WinXP home which option is better?
> >
> > also, 1gb ram stick is somewhat cheaper than 2x 512mb sticks of ram.
> >
> > thanks for your reply/s.
> >
> >
>
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Memory RAM Upgrade 

Option #2 - 2*512MB sticks running in dual channel mode.

Easy way to verify that your motherboard supports dual channel
(you indicated it has 4 available slots) is that two slots should be
one color (for example Blue, slots 1 & 3) and the other two
slots (slots 2 & 4) are for example Orange in color.

Double check your manual for supported memory configurations
and types of memory. Generally you will use the first and third
slots (the slots with matching/are the same color) when installing
memory sticks in Dual Channel mode.

If you use the first two slots (For example Blue and Orange)
you will still have 1GB of memory but the memory will not
be operating in Dual Channel mode.

JS
http://www.pagestart.com


"KillerDesigns" <KillerDesigns RemoveThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:77F6F489-26F1-4A54-8EBE-8CFA8C863ECA@microsoft.com...
> thanks for your advice. and points noted. generally what option is better
> 1)
> to install 1gb ram stick or 2) 2*512mb sticks. from the point of speed and
> efficency of data transmission?
>
> "JS" wrote:
>
>> As Shenan mentioned go the Crucial web site and use the
>> Advisor tool.
>>
>> If you have decided on 1GB of memory, then go dual channel
>> (Two 512MB "Matched Pair" made by a quality manufacturer)
>> You may pay a little more to get a quality product but in the
>> end it's worth it.
>>
>> Dual-channel architecture:
>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual-channel_architecture
>>
>> Since you will end with two 512MB sticks, if one should
>> ever fail (one of mine did, but covered under warranty)
>> removing the defective memory stick with still leave
>> you with 512MB of memory which is more than
>> enough for most users.
>>
>> JS
>> http://www.pagestart.com
>>
>>
>> "KillerDesigns" <KillerDesigns RemoveThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>> message
>> news:BC9F1F30-4576-4D2A-8624-05BA5AD1EC0D@microsoft.com...
>> > hi,
>> >
>> > my motherboard accepts 2 ram sticks, due to some malfunction one of the
>> > ram
>> > sticks had to be removed, now the pc works only on one 256mb ram stick.
>> >
>> > i am considering installing 1gb of ram. now, is it better to install
>> > 1gb
>> > stick of ram or 2 X 512 mb of ram sticks; to take advantage of the dual
>> > channel and from the point of view of WinXP home which option is
>> > better?
>> >
>> > also, 1gb ram stick is somewhat cheaper than 2x 512mb sticks of ram.
>> >
>> > thanks for your reply/s.
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>>
 >> Stay informed about: Memory RAM Upgrade 

"JS" <@> wrote in message news:e7kKHNYIJHA.4600@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> Option #2 - 2*512MB sticks running in dual channel mode.
>
> Easy way to verify that your motherboard supports dual channel
> (you indicated it has 4 available slots) is that two slots should be
> one color (for example Blue, slots 1 & 3) and the other two
> slots (slots 2 & 4) are for example Orange in color.
>
> Double check your manual for supported memory configurations
> and types of memory. Generally you will use the first and third
> slots (the slots with matching/are the same color) when installing
> memory sticks in Dual Channel mode.
>
> If you use the first two slots (For example Blue and Orange)
> you will still have 1GB of memory but the memory will not
> be operating in Dual Channel mode.
>
> JS

He indicated that the motherboard only has 2 slots, not 4. I would
recommend that he go with a single 1gb stick and keep his existing 256mb
stick. It will cost less money, the increase of 1gb will make ample
improvements over what he has and if he ever wants to increase memory again
he can just buy another single stick. I seriously doubt that the average
computer user could tell the difference in performance between a 1gb of
memory versus 1gb of memory running in dual channel mode.
 >> Stay informed about: Memory RAM Upgrade 

The second post mislead me to believe he has 4 slots.
Sorry about that.

I still would go with the two 512MB sticks
as most motherboards and or BIOS will drop to
the stick that has the lowest performance specs.

JS

"Jerry" <Hello.DeleteThis@spammers.com> wrote in message
news:gbob4m$9mb$1@registered.motzarella.org...
>
> "JS" <@> wrote in message news:e7kKHNYIJHA.4600@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>> Option #2 - 2*512MB sticks running in dual channel mode.
>>
>> Easy way to verify that your motherboard supports dual channel
>> (you indicated it has 4 available slots) is that two slots should be
>> one color (for example Blue, slots 1 & 3) and the other two
>> slots (slots 2 & 4) are for example Orange in color.
>>
>> Double check your manual for supported memory configurations
>> and types of memory. Generally you will use the first and third
>> slots (the slots with matching/are the same color) when installing
>> memory sticks in Dual Channel mode.
>>
>> If you use the first two slots (For example Blue and Orange)
>> you will still have 1GB of memory but the memory will not
>> be operating in Dual Channel mode.
>>
>> JS
>
> He indicated that the motherboard only has 2 slots, not 4. I would
> recommend that he go with a single 1gb stick and keep his existing 256mb
> stick. It will cost less money, the increase of 1gb will make ample
> improvements over what he has and if he ever wants to increase memory
> again he can just buy another single stick. I seriously doubt that the
> average computer user could tell the difference in performance between a
> 1gb of memory versus 1gb of memory running in dual channel mode.
>
 >> Stay informed about: Memory RAM Upgrade 

apologies - motherboard has 4 slots and as correctly indicated 1/3 blue and
2/4 orange.


"JS" wrote:

> The second post mislead me to believe he has 4 slots.
> Sorry about that.
>
> I still would go with the two 512MB sticks
> as most motherboards and or BIOS will drop to
> the stick that has the lowest performance specs.
>
> JS
>
> "Jerry" <Hello.DeleteThis@spammers.com> wrote in message
> news:gbob4m$9mb$1@registered.motzarella.org...
> >
> > "JS" <@> wrote in message news:e7kKHNYIJHA.4600@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> >> Option #2 - 2*512MB sticks running in dual channel mode.
> >>
> >> Easy way to verify that your motherboard supports dual channel
> >> (you indicated it has 4 available slots) is that two slots should be
> >> one color (for example Blue, slots 1 & 3) and the other two
> >> slots (slots 2 & 4) are for example Orange in color.
> >>
> >> Double check your manual for supported memory configurations
> >> and types of memory. Generally you will use the first and third
> >> slots (the slots with matching/are the same color) when installing
> >> memory sticks in Dual Channel mode.
> >>
> >> If you use the first two slots (For example Blue and Orange)
> >> you will still have 1GB of memory but the memory will not
> >> be operating in Dual Channel mode.
> >>
> >> JS
> >
> > He indicated that the motherboard only has 2 slots, not 4. I would
> > recommend that he go with a single 1gb stick and keep his existing 256mb
> > stick. It will cost less money, the increase of 1gb will make ample
> > improvements over what he has and if he ever wants to increase memory
> > again he can just buy another single stick. I seriously doubt that the
> > average computer user could tell the difference in performance between a
> > 1gb of memory versus 1gb of memory running in dual channel mode.
> >
>
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Memory RAM Upgrade 

also, assuming i use 2*512mb sticks in 1 and 3 slots, and will the 256mb
existing ram make a difference?

and if i use 1gb in slot 1 and 256gb in slot 3 - will that make a
difference.

regarding speed and efficiency?


"JS" wrote:

> The second post mislead me to believe he has 4 slots.
> Sorry about that.
>
> I still would go with the two 512MB sticks
> as most motherboards and or BIOS will drop to
> the stick that has the lowest performance specs.
>
> JS
>
> "Jerry" <Hello DeleteThis @spammers.com> wrote in message
> news:gbob4m$9mb$1@registered.motzarella.org...
> >
> > "JS" <@> wrote in message news:e7kKHNYIJHA.4600@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> >> Option #2 - 2*512MB sticks running in dual channel mode.
> >>
> >> Easy way to verify that your motherboard supports dual channel
> >> (you indicated it has 4 available slots) is that two slots should be
> >> one color (for example Blue, slots 1 & 3) and the other two
> >> slots (slots 2 & 4) are for example Orange in color.
> >>
> >> Double check your manual for supported memory configurations
> >> and types of memory. Generally you will use the first and third
> >> slots (the slots with matching/are the same color) when installing
> >> memory sticks in Dual Channel mode.
> >>
> >> If you use the first two slots (For example Blue and Orange)
> >> you will still have 1GB of memory but the memory will not
> >> be operating in Dual Channel mode.
> >>
> >> JS
> >
> > He indicated that the motherboard only has 2 slots, not 4. I would
> > recommend that he go with a single 1gb stick and keep his existing 256mb
> > stick. It will cost less money, the increase of 1gb will make ample
> > improvements over what he has and if he ever wants to increase memory
> > again he can just buy another single stick. I seriously doubt that the
> > average computer user could tell the difference in performance between a
> > 1gb of memory versus 1gb of memory running in dual channel mode.
> >
>
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Memory RAM Upgrade 

KillerDesigns wrote:

> apologies - motherboard has 4 slots and as correctly indicated 1/3 blue and
> 2/4 orange.
>

In this case, look at the situation this way. Just why is one of the
pair of sockets not working? Or is the problem with just the RAM stick
itself?

With an unused pair of slots and RAM being as cheap as they are, I'd
rather get 2 x 1 GB sticks. If they work in either pair of slots, the
blue or the orange, then there would be 2 GB of RAM in the computer.
That is a significant improvement. OTOH, it would have been awful bad
luck if one slot of either pair were to have failed.
 >> Stay informed about: Memory RAM Upgrade 

One of the ram stick (256mb) has packed in. the pc has only 1x256mb stick.
under win xp its sluggish and slow.

"Ghostrider" wrote:

>
> KillerDesigns wrote:
>
> > apologies - motherboard has 4 slots and as correctly indicated 1/3 blue and
> > 2/4 orange.
> >
>
> In this case, look at the situation this way. Just why is one of the
> pair of sockets not working? Or is the problem with just the RAM stick
> itself?
>
> With an unused pair of slots and RAM being as cheap as they are, I'd
> rather get 2 x 1 GB sticks. If they work in either pair of slots, the
> blue or the orange, then there would be 2 GB of RAM in the computer.
> That is a significant improvement. OTOH, it would have been awful bad
> luck if one slot of either pair were to have failed.
>
 >> Stay informed about: Memory RAM Upgrade 

KillerDesigns wrote:

> One of the ram stick (256mb) has packed in. the pc has only 1x256mb stick.
> under win xp its sluggish and slow.
>

That is why I tossed out the idea of upgrading to 2 GB of RAM in
dual-channel configuration (2 x 1 GB) to you. There is no excuse
not to do it, esp. for Windows XP, unless the computer is being
used for merely pedestrian work. In this instance, definitely not
less than 1 GB.
 >> Stay informed about: Memory RAM Upgrade 

KillerDesigns wrote:
> also, assuming i use 2*512mb sticks in 1 and 3 slots, and will the
> 256mb existing ram make a difference?
>
> and if i use 1gb in slot 1 and 256gb in slot 3 - will that make a
> difference.
>
> regarding speed and efficiency?

Short version of what I am about to tell you: Buy 2 matching 512MB sticks
that are compatible with your system, put them in and throw away all the old
memory (since one of the two 256MB sticks are bad.)

Longer version:
Simply put - you want all your ram to be the same speed/type. This ensures
compatibility/maximum performance/etc.

If you are going to buy RAM for your computer given all that I have read
thusfar - I think you should get 1GB in 2x512MB sticks and throw the other
256MB stick in the garbage with the one that died.

You double your original memory, have a matching pair, etc....

First - having the old 256MB stick in there _could_ slow it down - now let
me clarify that you might notice that difference if you are the type that
notices one second of time change over 1000 days of actual time - if that in
the best case scenario. However - you gain nothing really in 99.99% of the
cases having 1.25GB of RAM over 1GB RAM available to you - and in your case
where you have had 512MB all this time and likely been happy until it got
halved or you would have done something by now - you'd be wasting your
time/money (IMHO) to purchase over 1GB total RAM and leaving the old 256MB
stick in there after you purchased the matching pair.

That all assumes - of course - you have not left out some vital bit of
information like the fantastic new high-paying graphics editing job you got
that won't pay you for a year and thus you need to spend as little as
possible now in order to optimize your experience until you get paid.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
 >> Stay informed about: Memory RAM Upgrade 

"KillerDesigns" <KillerDesigns RemoveThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:5A7EA179-514B-4A47-AADB-E7CA567B5AC9@microsoft.com...
>
> also, assuming i use 2*512mb sticks in 1 and 3 slots, and will the 256mb
> existing ram make a difference?
>
> and if i use 1gb in slot 1 and 256gb in slot 3 - will that make a
> difference.
>
> regarding speed and efficiency?

I still maintain that your wasting money going with 2 512's to obtain dual
channel mode, you will not notice the difference. Buy a 1gig stick and use
the 256 you already have, see below:
Tom's Hardware found little significant difference between single-channel
and dual-channel configurations in synthetic and gaming benchmarks (using a
"modern" system setup). Dual channel at best might give a 5% speed increase
in memory intensive tasks, not even close to the two times that "dual"
suggests[3].

It should be noted that Tom's Hardware had a discrete graphics comparison.
The difference is significant (~25%) for any 3D apps when using integrated
graphics.
 >> Stay informed about: Memory RAM Upgrade