Memory upgrade

I am a NOOB :) so help please..

I have 2GB of ram (2x1GB @800) and that wasnt bad for my ex WinXP 32bit. Now i have Windows 7 64-bit and i want to upgrade memory.

Problems are:

1. Type of memory (motherboard manual says all memory moduls should be from same manufacter and with same chips used)
BUT PC is old, allmost 2 years, and i cant find same memory moduls anymore, can i put any DDR2 800mhz modul?

2. Size. Motherbord support 8GB, 4x2. But i got 2x1 installed, so i would add another 2x1 for total of 4GB. Is that ok?

Any advice would be great

I think as long as you buy THE STICKS @ 800 its wiil be ok with the same timings (best match brands) - post the name and specifics of the memory or do this eg mine is Corsair Twin2x 2048mb 240pin ddr2 800mhz PC6400 Twin pack (2x1024 sticks) w/heat spreader, 4-4-4-12 - copy the details in your browser search, and press enter, and you should find a list of online stores - i just typed it in, and there were only a couple, but this one is all you would need - just have a look and see if you can find something similar for your country -
Memory | Compare Online Retailer Prices in Australia | Smazoo
or search for online shops you must still be able to buy it online - just type anything browser like "buy memory online" and you well get results
If you cant find any, make sure you match up specs with a different brand .
Memory so cheap now you might want to upgrade to faster sticks at 2x2048 =4090 gb and use them instead if your a gamer.

You may be able to insert a couple of 1GB sticks similar to the ones that you already have. If you run into compatibility issues, manually setting the RAM voltages and timings in the BIOS may fix them.

However, it may be easier to replace the RAM in your PC with two 2GB DIMMs. If you have DDR2 or DDR memory, it shouldn't be expensive.

If the PC was a notebook, I'd recommend not mixing chips. I recently had an unfortunate experience upgrading the RAM in an old (2002) notebook. It had only 256MB of SDRAM in an internal slot, and adding a 512MB stick to an externally accesible slot led to poor operation. (The RAM timings and voltages were not settable in the BIOS.) I ended up having to take the thing apart to replace the internal RAM with the larger stick.

Thanks for help. I will go with 2x1GB for total 4GB and hope it will be enouf for W7 and some medium gaming.

Later when 2GB sticks go cheap (800mhz stick with 2GB is around 40-50$ in my country wich is expensive when you look at 500-800$ salary per month :) ) i will buy 4x2GB of DDR2 1066mhz wich will be end of memory upgrade for this PC.

Mbbest said:

Thanks for help. I will go with 2x1GB for total 4GB and hope it will be enouf for W7 and some medium gaming.

Later when 2GB sticks go cheap (800mhz stick with 2GB is around 40-50$ in my country wich is expensive when you look at 500-800$ salary per month :) ) i will buy 4x2GB of DDR2 1066mhz wich will be end of memory upgrade for this PC.

For the average user 4Gb is more than enough under Vista or Win7.

I use 8GB and the 64 bit version...But I'm more of a poweruser. If your main things to do on the PC are word processing, email, web surfing and watching the occasional movie/playing music...You really don't even need 4GB [Although RAM is cheap these days - So the more the merrier]

Cyberwolf said:

For the average user 4Gb is more than enough under Vista or Win7.

I use 8GB and the 64 bit version...But I'm more of a poweruser. If your main things to do on the PC are word processing, email, web surfing and watching the occasional movie/playing music...You really don't even need 4GB [Although RAM is cheap these days - So the more the merrier]

My PC is more like HTPC, its behind 40"TV in living room, i cant see it or hear it, its connected to Onkyo + Jamo sound system, i have cordless key+mouse, and i use it for DVB-S (skystar2) , music, movies, some games, surfing..etc..and i never run in to a problem with hardware, its running cool & stable, i could say thats even strong for "HTPC", while i was on XP 32-bit i was playing games like Bioshock and GRID race on max settings@ 1360x768, and with litlle lower setting with 1920x1080, but i will anyway spent 35$ on 2GB more memory so games can breath easyer :)

Mbbest

4 gigs is the minimum for 64bit. the fact that its also HTpc adn you want to do gaming might mean you need more. Its a really nice setup and would be a shame to hobble it because of too little ram

Good Luck

Ken

zigzag3143 said:

Mbbest

4 gigs is the minimum for 64bit. the fact that its also HTpc adn you want to do gaming might mean you need more. Its a really nice setup and would be a shame to hobble it because of too little ram

Good Luck

Ken

I have been in shop today, but there wasnt anymore 1GB sticks, only 2GB, so sale man has told me to wait 10 days while they get new shipment