Help with Ram upgrade!!!

Lord_Gardener

Looking to upgrade the Ram of a number of desktop PC's to help with running current progs - Skype, Messenger, etc.

First has AsRock K76VT6 mobo and has 512mb/166MHz (DDR 333)

Second has ASRock K7S41 mobo and has 256mb/166MHz (DDR 333) (PC3200)

Third has ASRock K7S41GX mobo and has 256mb

First 2 machines use Athlon XP 3200+ and third Sempron processors.

I'm looking to go to 1GB on each to help solve 'freezing problems' eg Skype now recommend thus 256mb machines don't like it and 512MB seems to really struggle! I've checked everything else I can think of!

I think for all I can go up to 2GB.

There just seems to be loads of different types of Ram out there! What will be a good buy for each of the above? What does PC3200 stand for? Can it be mixed and matched with eg PC2100? Some memory for sale seems to have ECC? I'm looking for something easy to install or will I have to change mobo voltages to get best results?

Thanks

danmanchester

If you run the Crucial scanner on each of your systems that will tell you exactly the type of memory and maximum mb/gb each pc can install.

http://www.crucial.com/uk/

Lord_Gardener

danmanchester wrote: »

If you run the Crucial scanner on each of your systems that will tell you exactly the type of memory and maximum mb/gb each pc can install.

http://www.crucial.com/uk/

Thanks, I see what you mean! Are there any other recommended suppliers other than Crucial?

They seem to recommend the same for each mobo but using pc2700 rather than pc3200 which machine currently have, for 1GB size but pc3200 for smaller sizes of memory?

isofa

Crucial are excellent, had great service from them. However you could try Scan who are also very good, Kingston will have suppliers listed on their site, or chance your arm on eBay!

Donnie

Purchase here.

Lord_Gardener

Donnie wrote: »

Purchase here.

Seem to be very cheap, are the products ok compared to say those from Crucial?

tomsolomon

ASRock K7 series, thats DDR isn't it?
PC3200 should be fine, may not match you current RAM though. If you miss match memory it will only run at the slower speed and you may get memory errors.
I would recomend a minimum of 512Mb if running XP, 1Gb for Vista. A good tool for getting information about you MOBO's and RAM is CPUZ which can be found here > http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php Its a free download and very simple to follow and use.

Crucial is very good if you want to buy Crucial memory, which in my opinion is over priced for the increase in performance you get compared to unbranded. Very good for overclocking....

vyseyboy

tomsolomon wrote: »

ASRock K7 series, thats DDR2 isn't it?

Not all of them.

My K7S8XE+ is DDR.

Would have to check on a model by model basis.

tomsolomon

My appologies slip of the 2 I will Edit.... Thanks.

Leopard

If you're buying from Crucial, do it through Quidco and save 7% (currently). If you're upgrading several computers, the total saving should be well worthwhile.

Donnie

Lord_Gardener wrote: »

Seem to be very cheap, are the products ok compared to say those from Crucial?

Best to check with the vendor before purchase, as some memory may be High Density.