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05/20/2007 04:15:22 PM · #1
What does this mean?

Q: Do I have to install matching pairs?

A: Yes.

Your system requires that you install memory in pairs.


My system (several years old) only came with 512mb and I'd like to get more. Does the above mean I should take out the 512mb and install two 1gbs? If that's true, why is there only 512mb in there now? Or maybe there are two 256's...?

Edit: And what's the point of LEDs on RAM?

What's a good brand of RAM?

Message edited by author 2007-05-20 16:19:27.
05/20/2007 04:19:00 PM · #2
Most system builders state you need matched pairs. Guess I got it wrong cos I have 1Gb and 512Mb...not quite matched. Although they are matched for RAM spec.
05/20/2007 04:28:43 PM · #3
The last time I had to install Matched Pairs was on 486 back in the mid 90's.

Its possible for a system to require it but i highly doubt it! As a gamer I will tell you that 2 sticks is better then 3 or 4. But as a Photoshopper Ill tell you the more ram the better. As a tech Ill tell you Just make sure theyre all the same speed, theyll work together but the slowest ram sets the pace.

Message edited by author 2007-05-20 16:29:51.
05/20/2007 04:29:43 PM · #4
Thanks, Steve.

I found a scanner on Crucial.com and it tells me I currently have two 256mb's installed.

Another question, what's the difference between pc3200 and pc4000. When I did a search using my computer model I see that the pc4000 is compatible with my system but when I run the scanner (to see what I currently have) it suggests I should get the pc3200.

Message edited by author 2007-05-20 16:30:47.
05/20/2007 04:30:42 PM · #5
Originally posted by ButterflySis:

Thanks, Steve.

I found a scanner on Crucial.com and it tells me I have 2 256's.

Another question, what's the difference between pc3200 and pc4000. When I did a search using my computer model I see that the pc4000 is compatible with my system but when I run the scanner (to see what I currently have) it suggests I should get the pc3200.


Thats just the ram speed. If your keeping the old ram its a waste of money to get faster ram, because the it will be limited to the speed of the slowest ram stick.

If your replacing the old ram entirely then get faster ram.

Message edited by author 2007-05-20 16:31:19.
05/20/2007 04:31:10 PM · #6
Originally posted by ButterflySis:


Edit: And what's the point of LEDs on RAM?


For those geeks that spend all that money build computers with lights all in the inside. Us normal people that don't spend our lives playing games don't need lights on our ram :-D
05/20/2007 04:32:13 PM · #7
Thanks Jeffrey.

So, is the speed difference that significant that I should remove the slower sticks?

The price seems significantly more for the pc4000.

Thanks again for all your help.
05/20/2007 04:32:22 PM · #8
Kingston is good. I don't think modern motherboards require RAM in matching pairs..
05/20/2007 04:32:39 PM · #9
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Originally posted by ButterflySis:


Edit: And what's the point of LEDs on RAM?


For those geeks that spend all that money build computers with lights all in the inside. Us normal people that don't spend our lives playing games don't need lights on our ram :-D


LOL, thanks.
05/20/2007 04:33:49 PM · #10
Originally posted by ButterflySis:

Thanks Jeffrey.

So, is the speed difference that significant that I should remove the slower sticks?

The price seems significantly more for the pc4000.

Thanks again for all your help.


It depends, id say for photoshopping while it can make a difference, an SATA hard drive is gonna make a hell of alot more difference. Id save your money and just fill the empty slots with the same speed ram.

As a gamer rip that shit out of there and put two of the biggest fastest sticks the board supports lol.
05/20/2007 04:34:51 PM · #11
Originally posted by ButterflySis:

Thanks Jeffrey.

So, is the speed difference that significant that I should remove the slower sticks?

The price seems significantly more for the pc4000.

Thanks again for all your help.


If you have pc3200 and can't afford anything else, get pc3200. Banging in extra RAM will mean you wouldn't notice the difference. If you can afford PC4000, buy that.
05/20/2007 04:36:24 PM · #12
Formerlee id only tell her todo that if

1 - She is taking out the old ram.

2 - In the future she will be adding more PC4000 to replace the old 3200 ram.

Because with PC3200 and PC4000 in there all 4 sticks will run at the bus speed for pc3200.
05/20/2007 04:38:43 PM · #13
Originally posted by RainMotorsports:



It depends, id say for photoshopping while it can make a difference, an SATA hard drive is gonna make a hell of alot more difference. Id save your money and just fill the empty slots with the same speed ram.


Great, now I have to look up SATA hard drive...haha

Originally posted by RainMotorsports:

As a gamer rip that shit out of there and put two of the biggest fastest sticks the board supports lol.


So, what you're saying (according to fotomann_forever) is that you have RAM with LEDs. :-)

Thanks again, Jeffrey.

Originally posted by formerlee:

If you have pc3200 and can't afford anything else, get pc3200. Banging in extra RAM will mean you wouldn't notice the difference. If you can afford PC4000, buy that.


Thanks, Steve. I'll have to take a look at the prices again.

Message edited by author 2007-05-20 16:39:18.
05/20/2007 04:39:28 PM · #14
Originally posted by RainMotorsports:

Formerlee id only tell her todo that if

1 - She is taking out the old ram.

2 - In the future she will be adding more PC4000 to replace the old 3200 ram.

Because with PC3200 and PC4000 in there all 4 sticks will run at the bus speed for pc3200.


I think like most people, it comes down to cost. I never buy the latest, fastest, all shiny things cos I can't afford to, but I do build some pretty quick, sweet PCs with older gear.
05/20/2007 04:40:22 PM · #15
Originally posted by RainMotorsports:

2 - In the future she will be adding more PC4000 to replace the old 3200 ram.


Yes, it's very possible that I will upgrade what I currently have at some point.


05/20/2007 04:41:33 PM · #16
Originally posted by ButterflySis:

Originally posted by RainMotorsports:

2 - In the future she will be adding more PC4000 to replace the old 3200 ram.


Yes, it's very possible that I will upgrade what I currently have at some point.


Yep, but by then you will be thinking about getting a new Mobo or just a new PC.
05/20/2007 04:41:49 PM · #17
Heh back int he day thats all i had. WHile pentium 2's where rocking the shelves I was building 133mhz 486's with 128mb of ram and twin 8 gig hard drives, cd write, pci 4mb graphics card lol.

Oh god those were the days lol. Max out the 486's. The it came to overclocking cyric 6x86's and getting my first Pentium 2 with an AGP slot. ANd then i jumped straight to P4.
05/20/2007 04:42:43 PM · #18
Originally posted by ButterflySis:


So, what you're saying (according to fotomann_forever) is that you have RAM with LEDs. :-)

Thanks again, Jeffrey.


Actually i just have aluminum heat sinks on my ram.

BTW dont worry about the hard drive unless u need the space. SATA hard drives connect to a new interface on the motherboard instead of the old ATA cables. You might not even have support for one.

But if ur looking for more hard drive space. You might check. IM running a 500GB SATA II HDD its about 3 times faster (75mbps average speed vs 25mbps average speed of my old ata drive) and u can get it for 120 bucks on sale.

Main thing is u need to know how to reinstall windows and everything.

Message edited by author 2007-05-20 16:47:20.
05/20/2007 05:15:50 PM · #19
Thanks Jeffrey. I don't think I need anything that fancy...but it's good to know if I ever do want to upgrade to something that fast.

Main thing right now is to get more RAM. PS works okay, but things can get a little sluggish...especially when I'm doing all my multi-tasking. :-)

Thanks again for everyone's help!
05/20/2007 05:18:12 PM · #20
When you run out of ram it starts using virtual memory (page filing) which is the hard drive. The hard drive is slow which is why the SATA drives make a difference.

But Ram is faster, so having enough todo what you need todo will help photoshop out alot.
05/20/2007 08:52:32 PM · #21
Thanks again. I ordered two 1gb sticks of the pc3200. They were $60 cheaper each so went the cheaper route. Afterall, 2.5gb of ram will seem like a rocket after only having 512mb. :-)

Message edited by author 2007-05-20 20:53:22.
05/21/2007 12:56:40 AM · #22
Originally posted by ButterflySis:

Thanks again. I ordered two 1gb sticks of the pc3200. They were $60 cheaper each so went the cheaper route. Afterall, 2.5gb of ram will seem like a rocket after only having 512mb. :-)


When you install them just make sure they're in the same color DIMM sockets so you can take advantage of dual channel.
05/21/2007 06:14:03 PM · #23
Originally posted by TechnoShroom:

Originally posted by ButterflySis:

Thanks again. I ordered two 1gb sticks of the pc3200. They were $60 cheaper each so went the cheaper route. Afterall, 2.5gb of ram will seem like a rocket after only having 512mb. :-)


When you install them just make sure they're in the same color DIMM sockets so you can take advantage of dual channel.


My computer doesn't support dual channel...or say it says.
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