Confusion over memory upgrade

yorica

Hi

After reading several computer magazines. I feel the best upgrade for my ancient PC would be a boost to the RAM memory. But after running the scan at Crucial.com it says I've reached my maximum memory.

Is this true?

The webpage came back with:
Maximum Memory Capacity: 512 MB
Currently Installed Memory: 512 MB
Available Memory Slots: 1
Number of Banks: 3
Dual Channel Support: N.A.
CPU Manufacturer: GenuineIntel
CPU Family: Intel Pentium III processor Model 8, Stepping 6
CPU Speed: 996 MHz


It then procedes to recommend on an extra 256MB of RAM.
I was hoping for around an extra 1gb.

Any advice on upgrading my PC is most welcome.

Thanks in advance.

computerwoman

yorica wrote:

Hi

After reading several computer magazines. I feel the best upgrade for my ancient PC would be a boost to the RAM memory. But after running the scan at Crucial.com it says I've reached my maximum memory.

Is this true?

The webpage came back with:
Maximum Memory Capacity: 512 MB
Currently Installed Memory: 512 MB
Available Memory Slots: 1
Number of Banks: 3
Dual Channel Support: N.A.
CPU Manufacturer: GenuineIntel
CPU Family: Intel Pentium III processor Model 8, Stepping 6
CPU Speed: 996 MHz


It then procedes to recommend on an extra 256MB of RAM.
I was hoping for around an extra 1gb.

Any advice on upgrading my PC is most welcome.

Thanks in advance.

Hi sounds like you could use a new motherboard as well
:www:https://www.ebuyer.com
have a look here you can get a MB for about £30 and 1gb of ram for around £50
cw

Cricri

True, but then he/she will need changing processor as well And if the MB is PCI-E, possibly the graphic card.
I've been using Windows XP happily with 512MB on some machines. I even got it running on a Pentium 2 200MHz with 256MB of RAM. Granted, I had to lighten up Windows XP by desactivating system restore, file indexation and such, and quite a bit of eye candy, but it worked perfectly fine.

About your specific question, check the motherboard documentation. If it's old, get a later version from the motherboard manufacturer website and check it out (because sometimes specifications gets updated).

crox

yorica wrote:

Maximum Memory Capacity: 512 MB
Currently Installed Memory: 512 MB
Available Memory Slots: 1
Number of Banks: 3

You've 3 banks, 1 free, 2 (presumably) have 256MB sticks in, I'm guessing you should be able to put another 256Mb stick in. Best check with the board manufacturer 1st before you spend any money though

wonka

Well it seems to me there's still a bit of confusion over what the actual capacity of the motherboard is, and how much of that capacity is used up.

The first thing I would do is open the case and take a look. How many memory slots are there? How many are filled? If there is an empty slot(s), that implies you might be able to boost your RAM.

What sort of RAM does it take?

Next, you need to try and get hold of a manual for the motherboard. If you bought the motherboard separately then you should know the make & model, and you should have the manual too. If you bought the PC from a PC shop, then the motherboard is likely to be custom made by the manufacturer. But again, there should be a manual with it. While the case is open, see if you can see any markings on it that would suggest the make & model.

Ultimately, the manual will tell you about the RAM specifications. If you don't have one, then you could do with searching for one on Google.

BillScarab

The only issue is if the motherboard only supports a maximum of 512 Mb of memory. In other words you could have three memory sticks in it but the total must be 512Mb or less. Try and find the motherboard model number and post it here.

You could try downloading Belarc advisor, hopefully that will tell you what the motherboard is.

The other consideration is whether it would be better to save the money and put it towards a new PC rather than spending money on a pretty old machine.

If you decide tyo buy new RAM I would look for some second hand.

crox

yorica wrote:

Hi

After reading several computer magazines. I feel the best upgrade for my ancient PC would be a boost to the RAM memory.

While they are quite right that more RAM does help, it's a case of diminishing returns, 512 over 256 is amazing, 768 over 512 less so, 1g over 768 less again. 512 is pretty good for most cases except photo and videoing editing, I don't think you'll gain enough to make it worth while, so I'd agree with Bill and spend the money on something else.