Add (too much?) RAM to an older HP desktop

Hi guys. I have an older HP Pavilion XE732 with a celeron 633 mhz processor, 15gb ultra DMA HD, running windows ME. It has (2) memory slots. When i got it it had the original 64mb memory stick and an added 256mb. I replaced the original 64mb stick with another 256, so now i have 512 mb. They're apparently compatible 'cos it runs fine. But just for giggles i'd like to swap out the first added 256mb stick with a 512mb stick that i know would match the 256mb stick that i put in. Would a 512 stick physically fit? And would too much RAM actually slow me down? Thanks in advance and keep up the great forum!

 

I didn't anticipate that question, so i don't know about the pins or sections. I'm just concerned about too much memory slowing things down...

 

What OS do you have? If I remember correctly, Windows 98 doesn't handle memory above 512Mb all that well. On the other hand Windows 2000/XP, the more the better.

http://www.memorystock.com/windows-memory.html

Now, there will be limitations on the maximum amount of memory your motherboard can handle, and the maximum amount of memory you can put in each slot. Since you have a 633Mhz processor, I'm guessing you are running at 66Mhz front side bus? PC-66 SDRAM? If this is the case, I would venture to guess that your motherboard can only handle 256Mb per slot. To be sure, you could download Everest, or look in your motherboard manual if you have one.

 

It is not so much the OS, pins on the RAM stick, but the machine. This particular model can only handle 512mb. You can go with just one stick of PC133, unbuffered, 512mb SDRAM and be fine.

Product Spec's: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=57805&lang=en&docname=bph05943

 

There are workarounds for the operating system, and it doesn't affect everyone.


As brownizs posted, it depends on what the motherboard supports, and in this case, it's only 2 x 256MB maximum.

See if there is a Bios flash that improves performance or support.

 

Thanks everyone for the info. I guess 512 megs ain't bad for ol' Dino. Perhaps i'll put that $ toward a new HD. Thanks again.

 

The last bios update for the Congac Bios was: Release Date: 2002-01-24 Version: 3.07 9-17-01
And yes, XP will run on this gem, along with maybe an older version of Suse, or even FC4 linux.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareList?lc=en&cc=us&lang=en&dlc=en&product=57805&os=228

 

You could always see if you can upgrade the CPU.

Or if you want to keep the Celeron, they generally overclock well.