Ram upgrade

[alienn4hire]

So, I have 2gb Corsair dual channel ram (2x1gb) in my first two DDR2 slots...

If I upgrade and add 4 gb Corsair dual channel (2x2gb) to the other two slots, will the system run at maximum performance?

 

[pxsalmers]

if you have 4 DDR2 DIMM slots, you would probably be at max performance at 8 GB of RAM. That is most likely the max your motherboard can support. the difference between 6GB and 8GB is fairly minimal though unless you're doing heavy multitasking. Make sure to check the specs of your mobo to see how much it can support.

 

[alienn4hire]

So you're saying that if I mix 2GB Dual channel RAM with 4GB Dual channel RAM it should reflect 6GB of ram with no problems and I should be able to run at full capacity?

 

[pxsalmers]

make sure that all RAM has the same timings and frequency. if everything matches up, size of RAM will not matter. everything should be fine.

 

[alienn4hire]

I believe that the ram i have is 2GB (2x1gb) 800 DDR2...how do I verify this again, I forgot...

 

[pxsalmers]

I believe that the ram i have is 2GB (2x1gb) 800 DDR2...how do I verify this again, I forgot...

you can use CPU-Z(CPUID) or PassMark RAMMon - Identify RAM type, speed & memory timings

 

[Wishmaster]

More is not always better.

6-8GB of RAM or more will not really help performance for the most part.
In fact, its really only helpful if you use applications that can make use of it.
But those applications need to be 64bit as well, to overcome the 32bit 2GB limitation.

Only you know if you fall into this category.



Generally, 4GB is plenty.


I would go with a matching kit though, and just do away with the cuurent. Like a 2x2GB kit.

 

[pxsalmers]

More is not always better.

6-8GB of RAM or more will not really help performance for the most part.
In fact, its really only helpful if you use applications that can make use of it.
But those applications need to be 64bit as well, to overcome the 32bit 2GB limitation.

Only you know if you fall into this category.

Generally, 4GB is plenty.

I would go with a matching kit though, and just do away with the cuurent. Like a 2x2GB kit.

This is true also. I personally run with 4GB DDR3 and have no problems with anything.

 

[alienn4hire]

More is not always better.

6-8GB of RAM or more will not really help performance for the most part.
In fact, its really only helpful if you use applications that can make use of it.
But those applications need to be 64bit as well, to overcome the 32bit 2GB limitation.

Only you know if you fall into this category.



Generally, 4GB is plenty.


I would go with a matching kit though, and just do away with the cuurent. Like a 2x2GB kit.

So, just to confirm, if you had a choice of 6GB (2x2GB+2x1GB) and 4GB (2x2GB), you're saying it'd be better to go with 4GB (2x2GB)?

 

[pxsalmers]

So, just to confirm, if you had a choice of 6GB (2x2GB+2x1GB) and 4GB (2x2GB), you're saying it'd be better to go with 4GB (2x2GB)?

He is saying that unless you are using 64-bit programs 4GB is enough for optimal usage. Doesn't hurt to have more for the future however. 64-bit will become the standard eventually lol

and yes, matched sets are best.

 

[Wishmaster]

Im simply saying, the best bet is matched sets, and 4GB is usually all the large majority of users need.


Mixing and matching sometimes works, but often causes more problems than its worth.

All the modules need to be the same Voltage, speed, and timings.
And also be aware, theres more to timings than the main 4 (4-4-4-12 for example)
There are also many subtimings that come into play to a lesser degree.

If anything is different, it usually defaults everything to the slowest of the bunch.
But, as I said, occasionally problems arise.


You might be OK with that set up. But depending on what you use your PC for, you may find it is not needed.
Then again, you may find it is not enough.

Only you can decide that, as you know what you use your PC for better than we do.


Me personally, I find 4GB is not quite enough. 8GB is plenty, but I could probably get by with a bit less.
But, I also use a few 64bit apps that take advantage of that extra memory quite often.

But, its also worth mentioning that this extra RAM only comes into play when using those specific applications.
For everything else, Gaming included, it has no benefit. In fact, I never exceed the 4GB mark.

So for my uses, its worth having, although this may not be the case for everyone.

 

[GeneO]

More is not always better.

6-8GB of RAM or more will not really help performance for the most part.
In fact, its really only helpful if you use applications that can make use of it.
But those applications need to be 64bit as well, to overcome the 32bit 2GB limitation.

Only you know if you fall into this category.



Generally, 4GB is plenty.


I would go with a matching kit though, and just do away with the cuurent. Like a 2x2GB kit.

That is not quite correct. 32 bit applications linked with the "large address aware" option can use 4GB of address space in a 64 bit system

32bit apps in 64bit Windows - memory available?''

and

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa366778.aspx

so 6GB or more of RAM could accommodate such a 32 bit program.

In addition, with more RAM you can have more programs open without swapping. Also, additional memory lets you cache more recently run programs and lets them start virtually instantaneously at a later time.

I would have to agree that Windows 7 x64 does use 4GB of RAM efficiently and that would probably be enough for most people.

 

[Wishmaster]

Yes, I was aware of this, but they still need to be flagged, correct?

Also, the app itself is still a 32bit bit app. so would this really actually help anything overall?


I know with Games, flagging them never really seemed to help anything, but not sure about other apps. They still seemed to stay within thier confined space.


I must admit,however, I haven't experimented with this a whole lot.


We did have a discussion on this exact subject sometime back, but Ican not seem to find the post.
There was a lot of good info there too..

 

[GeneO]

Yes, I was aware of this, but they still need to be flagged, correct?

Also, the app itself is still a 32bit bit app. so would this really actually help anything overall?

I don't know what you mean by flagged. Sure it will help - limited virtual address space is mainly what defines 32 bit. This can double it from 2 to 4.

I know with Games, flagging them never really seemed to help anything, but not sure about other apps. They still seemed to stay within thier confined space.


I must admit,however, I haven't experimented with this a whole lot.

me neither

We did have a discussion on this exact subject sometime back, but Ican not seem to find the post.
There was a lot of good info there too..