How do I know what kind of RAM I need?

-TangleFoot-

Either one or the other, but never both. ECC RAM is normally only found in servers, so you're very unlikely to find a home computer that uses it.

z1000000

Sorry to butt in on this thread, but I have a RAM problem that you can probably help me with. I've just got a Dell Insperion 6000, it has 2 x 256 of RAM in the 2 available slots.
I've checked out Cruicle and Offtek, and other sites, but I'm confused.
I'm thinking of increasing the RAM to 1GB. The confusing bit is this from Dell;

"Supports Dual Channel memory. In order to get dual channel memory bandwidth capability, both the slots must contain memory modules and they must be of the same size and configuration."

I've read that dual channel is 10% faster, than normal stuff.

So, should I throw away the 2 x 256 memory, and put in 2 x 512 to get 1 GB of dual channel RAM, (1GB + 10% faster = 1.1GB)??

Or can I just throw away 1 x 256 and add 1 x 1GB for an uneven 1.28 GB of RAM,
(is 1.28GB of normal RAM faster than 1 GB of dual channel RAM)?

What would the laptop experts do, or is there a better idea??

Thanks.

scorour

I am not an expert in memory, but I have always thought that mismatching memory will cause both the sticks of memory to run at the slowest speed.

Personally, I would use crucial.com and get 2xdual channel as Dell says.

I would defo say that 1GB of Dual Channel ram will be quicker than 1.28 of mismatched. Once you get to 1GB, you don't notice much difference in performance by adding more memory (in my opinion on what I do). Day to day use will not require much/if any swapping of memory out to disk with 1GB of ram.

I would then sell the 256MB's on ebay or something....

bigglesinc

z1000000 wrote:

Sorry to butt in on this thread, but I have a RAM problem that you can probably help me with. I've just got a Dell Insperion 6000, it has 2 x 256 of RAM in the 2 available slots.
I've checked out Cruicle and Offtek, and other sites, but I'm confused.
I'm thinking of increasing the RAM to 1GB. The confusing bit is this from Dell;

"Supports Dual Channel memory. In order to get dual channel memory bandwidth capability, both the slots must contain memory modules and they must be of the same size and configuration."

I've read that dual channel is 10% faster, than normal stuff.

So, should I throw away the 2 x 256 memory, and put in 2 x 512 to get 1 GB of dual channel RAM, (1GB + 10% faster = 1.1GB)??

Or can I just throw away 1 x 256 and add 1 x 1GB for an uneven 1.28 GB of RAM,
(is 1.28GB of normal RAM faster than 1 GB of dual channel RAM)?

What would the laptop experts do, or is there a better idea??

Thanks.

If all you want is the gig of RAM them go for another 2 x 256 of RAM. For Dual to work it has to run a cross a pair of RAM chips so you need to buy pairs. If you have four slots full you have two pairs.

scorour

I thought the Inspiron laptops only had two slots available? Would be surprised if they had more? I could be wrong mind, would not be the 1st time

z1000000

Thank's for that. The Inspiron only has two slots, so I'll get 2 x 512,
and give it a go.

yaacov81

i've got 256mb ram and need more.

i could just add 256 but wouldnt mind adding 512.
i need pc2700.
is there any point in having 256 + 512 or should i stick to 256 + 256
thanks

charlieheard

yaacov81 wrote:

i've got 256mb ram and need more.

i could just add 256 but wouldnt mind adding 512.
i need pc2700.
is there any point in having 256 + 512 or should i stick to 256 + 256
thanks

You always used to have matching amounts of RAM in each slot (this is a while ago). Nowadays, you should be able to put in differing sizes.

I needed to up mine, so I slotted a 512 next to my 2x256 to give 1Gb. I was advised to put the largest nearest the processor.

BTW, when I needed to upgrade, I took a couple of photos of the memory already in there and showed them to a PC specialist. They were able to tell me what speeds I needed, pins, etc, as well as lots of other useful info. They cost a few quid more, but they're always on the end of a phone to help if ever anything goes wrong, and they care - much more than support on a website!

tigermatt

HairyHatMan wrote:

If you go to the crucial website (http://www.crucial.com/uk/) there's a system scanner which will direct you to the exact memory to buy from them for your machine.

I was just about to suggest that!

espresso wrote:

Download and install a program called PC Wizard 2005 which is free :T

Thanks espresso, great program!