Owl28

This might seem like a really stupid question but here goes. My pc currently has 1gb of RAM (x4 256 modules) I have just purchased x2 2gb RAM modules to replace the current RAM in my machine. There are 4 slots on the board so the new RAM will occupy 2 of the slots. My question is can I fill the 2 remaining slots with x2 256 modules to give me a total of 4.5gb of RAM or do you have to have matching RAM in all 4 slots?

Thanks

Steve.

wiley

iTrader: (63)

my pc started of with 1gb of ram, the guy at pc world recommende me not to double what i have to start with so i just bought another 1gb
should work but might eff up your processor
wiley

HankScorpio

In what possible way?

To OP, most boards have limits, my current one is three, would be worth checking the specs for it. I would worr about going 4 -> 4.5 unless you're doing really memory intnsive things. The difference 1 -> 4 will be huge anyway.

Owl28

I checked the spec using Crucial's website and my board can take upto 8gb of ram. They advised the 4gb and basically said I wouldn't benefit from going any higher with the operating system and programmes I'm running at the moment. I just thought if I've got this spare ram lying around I might as well use it.

Cheers guys,

Steve.

Kieran_Burns

iTrader: (1)

OWL - if you are running a 32-bit OS (such as XP) any memory above 4Gb cannot even be seen by the p.c.

(32-bit means 2 to the power of 32... which equals 4Gb, it the maximum addressable memory space the OS can use)



Wiley - your comment about what the PC World guy said just confirms my rock bottom opinion of their technical knowledge.

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Your best just keeping to the 2 x 2GB of ram, and unless your running windows Vista, you wont benefit from 4GB anyway

Tony

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

I think xp doesnt see more than 3.5gb, atleast my vista see's all 4gb

Tony

pimmo2000

iTrader: (6)

64 bit XP will see it too !

Its the 32bit that has the issue..

As for the memory working, yes it will .. EDO memory had to be run in pairs.. DDR which I would assume yours is or SD doesnt.

kbsub

So can someone please clear this up for me ...

I have just installed an extra 2GB of Ram (total 4GB )on a Vista 32 bit machine , Its showing 4GB but is it actually using 4 GB ??

mike1210

go to task manager and performance tab as below (right click on taskbar and select task manager)

Task Manager's Performance tab more useful in Windows Vista

the total will be the amount it can "see"

my guess would be 3-3.5. Mine can only see 2.93 but full 4GB with 64-bit OS of course

kbsub

3573 Total ...

TA

Owl28

I'm running Vista 32bit as well so will just stick to the 4gb of ram. Thanks alot for all your advice guys!

Cheers,

Steve.

Kieran_Burns

iTrader: (1)

This is becoming a SIAL computing thing now

The 32-bit OS can SEE the full 4Gb. It only SHOWS 3-3.5 (or less) due to memory mapping. Basically the memory your Video Card uses is mapped into RAM and reserved. So if you have a 512Mb card you 'lose' that memory as it is reserved for the card.

Both 32-bit XP and Vista have the same memory capacities, it's just that Vista reports it differently,

64-bit can address WAY more memory but again, the video card memory is reserved in RAM, so you lose it again.

HankScorpio

Should be stickied - I was quoting it wrong for ages!!

mike1210

Kieran, yes I knew that. Was trying to explain it in laymans terms though I do admit my wording could have been better

GC8

You would be mistaken to expect technical knowledge: its a common mistake. People need to see PCW for what it is and they commonly confuse a large retail shop in a retailpark, which has a few technically able people in it, with geekfest.....

wiley

iTrader: (63)

just what i was told by the guy at pc world, how much does he know..
wiley