Is it worth increasing the RAM on my PC?

Backbiter

I upgraded the RAM on my PC a couple of years ago, from 256 to 750 or so. The improvement in performance was phenomenal, and it's still running very well, despite the hard disk being nearly full, and despite it being a 5 year old Compaq from PC World!

bat999

xxdeebeexx wrote: »

It is an HP t860.uk


Dx

Your link shows that the motherboard is Asus PTGD1-LA.
The manual shows that it doesn't support PC2100 RAM.
Look at page 10 here:-http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:pdBddjJtnTcJ:www.elhvb.com/mboards/OEM/HP/manual/pufferm_manual.pdf+asus+PTGD1-LA&hl=en&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESjQjyhOBx0XLFK8wh5Gz8j3nFxVAxftEGuBx7WrOJVvwV922CJXoZnZLDca49sd8Zsik8RDRQCP13WPQVnMLJuSNUh-uhZXOLZ143HWCfUdVpxhMoOVLv1Y3GgyUTCcre3kX_4H&sig=AHIEtbSumnohYo2-BV3f4u7xoGnxmujOdw

Donnie

xxdeebeexx wrote: »

It is an HP t860.uk

Thanks

Dx

If you feel that it's a bit 'laggy' when multi-tasking/opening programs etc more RAM would help.

You can also stop unnecessary programs from opening in memory during start up to try to free up RAM. If you already done that and it's still slow to repond, more RAM is usually the next step assuming that the machine is clear of malware.

For that spec of machine, I would have a minimum of 1GB anyway.

As far as I can see, the PC2100 will work, but it would clock your system RAM down to the PC2100 capability. I'm not sure as to how it would effect real time performance.
You can try putting the PC2100 RAM module in a spare slot(after cleaning the contacts with an eraser) to see if it is recognised, but another PC3200 RAM module would be ideal. Try it anyway. Just be careful.

Donnie

bat999 wrote: »

Your link shows that the motherboard is Asus PTGD1-LA.
The manual shows that it doesn't support PC2100 RAM.
Look at page 10 here:-http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:pdBddjJtnTcJ:www.elhvb.com/mboards/OEM/HP/manual/pufferm_manual.pdf+asus+PTGD1-LA&hl=en&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESjQjyhOBx0XLFK8wh5Gz8j3nFxVAxftEGuBx7WrOJVvwV922CJXoZnZLDca49sd8Zsik8RDRQCP13WPQVnMLJuSNUh-uhZXOLZ143HWCfUdVpxhMoOVLv1Y3GgyUTCcre3kX_4H&sig=AHIEtbSumnohYo2-BV3f4u7xoGnxmujOdw

Supports PC3200 (400 MHz) /PC2700 (333 MHz) / PC2100 (266 MHz) DDR DIMM type

Link

xxdeebeexx

bat999 wrote: »

Your link shows that the motherboard is Asus PTGD1-LA.
The manual shows that it doesn't support PC2100 RAM.
Look at page 10 here:-http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:pdBddjJtnTcJ:www.elhvb.com/mboards/OEM/HP/manual/pufferm_manual.pdf+asus+PTGD1-LA&hl=en&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESjQjyhOBx0XLFK8wh5Gz8j3nFxVAxftEGuBx7WrOJVvwV922CJXoZnZLDca49sd8Zsik8RDRQCP13WPQVnMLJuSNUh-uhZXOLZ143HWCfUdVpxhMoOVLv1Y3GgyUTCcre3kX_4H&sig=AHIEtbSumnohYo2-BV3f4u7xoGnxmujOdw

Mmm too complicated for me. The spare RAM is definately no good and as for increasing the RAM I have no idea !
Maybe I will just leave it and plod along as I am.

Thanks for the help

Dx

Missed your above post Donnie... in the link from Bat999 the booklet says to use pairs of Ram

xxdeebeexx

Donnie wrote: »

Supports PC3200 (400 MHz) /PC2700 (333 MHz) / PC2100 (266 MHz) DDR DIMM type

Link

Maximum HP/Compaq approved memory module is 4GB (4 x 1GB)

So, looks like I could have 4gb RAM... that's loads more! But how do you know what to buy?

Dx

MoneySavingUser

try this: http://www.crucial.com/uk/systemscanner/index.aspx

Donnie

512 MB PC3200 £14.50
1 GB PC3200 £30.55

How do you know that the older RAM is no good? Have you tested it?

Donnie

xxdeebeexx wrote: »

Mmm too complicated for me. The spare RAM is definately no good and as for increasing the RAM I have no idea !
Maybe I will just leave it and plod along as I am.

Thanks for the help

Dx

Missed your above post Donnie... in the link from Bat999 the booklet says to use pairs of Ram

To test whether it is set up for Dual Channel mode, pop the PC2100 module in a spare slot in order to see if it recognised. If it is, it isn't in Dual Channel mode.

Donnie

MoneySavingUser wrote: »

try this: http://www.crucial.com/uk/systemscanner/index.aspx

Why would she need this?