Good RAM?

[joelkat]

CompUSA.com | KVR800D2/2GR | Kingston 2GB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz Memory Upgrade

 

[Golden]

Are you adding additional RAM to your system? If so, what is your existing RAM? Someone more knowlegble on RAM might be able to correct me, but I understand its not good to mix different brands?

 

[joelkat]

I do not know I have for brand but I have 2 GB of DDR2 ram right now and think an upgrade would step up my performance..

 

[Hopalong X]

The one you posted above you will need two sticks $112.

Mike

 

[Outlander]

Are you adding additional RAM to your system? If so, what is your existing RAM? Someone more knowlegble on RAM might be able to correct me, but I understand its not good to mix different brands?

That has caused me problems before. I think it might be a sensitive issue with the 3 channel stuff. Match those part numbers and pray........

 

[Hopalong X]

He only has two slots so will need to pull both old and replace with new.

He posted this yesterday and again today.

 

[joelkat]

why do I need 2 sticks?

 

[Hopalong X]

Because you have two slots. As we discussed yesterday you have to remove the 2 old ram sticks and install the 2 new.

Look at the picture of your motherboard.
Motherboard Specifications, M2N68-LA (Narra5) Compaq Presario CQ5500Y Desktop PC - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

Read the specs.
Compaq Presario CQ5500Y Desktop PC Product Specifications Compaq Presario CQ5500Y Desktop PC - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

Only two slots for ram in red below.

• • Dual channel memory architecture
  • Two DDR2 DIMM (240-pin) sockets
  • Supported DIMM types:
    • PC2-5300 (667 MHz)
    • PC2-6400 (800 MHz)
  • Non-ECC memory only, unbuffered
  • Supports 2GB DDR2 DIMMs
  • Supports up to 4 GB* on 32 bit PCs

  *32-bit operating systems cannot address a full 4.0 GB of memory.

• Picture of your mother board.

 

[joelkat]

Uh this is gonna be a pain in the butt.... will this do a good job and whats 800 mhz or whatever

http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6939083&CatId=1554

 

[Wishmaster]

What are you trying to do? Upgrade to 2GB or 4GB?


As already suggested, it best to keep the sticks matching.
I would also agree with Hopalong.
If upgrading, do away with the old RAM, and replace with matching sticks in both channels so you can run in Dual Channel mode.
With only 1 stick it will be in Single channel.


DDR2 800 will be perfectly fine. (DDR2 is the type of memory it is ... And the 800Mhz is how fast the memory operates. You board supports up to 4GB running at 800Mhz)

The only reason to get memory faster than that is if you are overclocking for the extra headroom. But you also need a motherbaord that can support the faster frequency.
OCing on the Motherboard you have will not be a good idea, so the 800mhz RAM is more than enough.

I would purchase a matched kit thats either 2X1GB (2GB total) or 2X2GB (4GB total)

For example:

Heres a 4GB Kit for $70:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

And a 2GB Kit for $40:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098

Granted many different other brands and price ranges depending on the budget, but an idea at what your looking at.

My advice would be to would go with the 4GB matched kit.