gateway 5310s want to add ram

Hi,

My gateway 5310s has 512mb PC3200u ram sticks in two slots, enabling dual channel mode (there's white clips and black clips on the ram slots and both of these sticks are in the slots with white clips) for these two sticks of ram. These sticks total 1gb.

I would like to add more ram, preferrably 2gb (two 1gb sticks) to 'up' the total ram to 3gb. My OS is 32bit (which I plan on keeping for a while), so I would be happy with that limit.

Would one channel with 1gb work properly with another channel with 2gb and retain dual channel functionality, and continue to have dual channel functionality?
Do I need to get PC3200u ram?
Is there any 'adjustments' that I need to make in the bios?
thanks

edit: do I need to get low density ram? this is an area that I have very limited knowledge or expertise in.

 

Greetings, ejames82.

The specs for your model at Crucial.com show that there should be no problem adding 2x1gb sticks. You should retain dual channel functionality as long as you adhere to the clip color-coding.

The only oddity I see is that Crucial indicates PC2700, whereas you're using PC3200 - but if PC3200 is working well with your system, then stick with it.

Always use low density if possible - a quick article about it is located at Overclock.net.

And, no - you shouldn't have to do anything in BIOS, other than verify that the new RAM is recognized.

 

Hi Caliban,

I am a little confused by crucial's search tool page.

http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=5310S

At the top it states PC2700 ram, but underneath the expanation, it shows several other compatible rams. Among those others listed is PC3200, thus leading to the confusion as to whether PC2700 would be better. For having only 1gb of ram this gateway works great, which would make me assume that PC3200 is at least 'as good' a choice as PC2700.
I have also noticed 'timing' is mentioned often. Is this something I should be concerned about?

I wanted to be absolutely sure that my ram was PC3200, so I shut down the computer and removed the sticks, and yes indeed, the sticks are PC3200u. When I reinstalled the sticks and rebooted, I got three long beeps and a black screen. I reseated the sticks again and the computer proceeded to work normally (desirably) again. This happened to me before on a different computer, so this verifies that improper, or improperly SEATED ram can cause a black screen (I thought it would be good for the thread to post this).

Also I have chosen a few deals (I like newegg because it's cheap). I like the wintec deal because it is considerably cheaper and I've used wintec before and it worked very well.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820178297

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220079

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211014

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820161161

or is this choice worth the extra $10

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231047


I checked out the link you provided. For this type of ram, density is not spoken of (at least not at newegg at their advertisements).

Thanks for the expertise

 

I would try to match your existing RAM as closely as possible - speed, timing, etc.

Try this: download and run Speccy, a free system information tool. From that you should be able to see the timing specs for your memory, and match the new RAM accordingly.

As far as brands, I've always used G.Skill when possible, so yes: I'd pay the extra $. I'm sure others will weigh in with their opinions, but I try to stick with high-end memory manufacturers.

 

You've convinced me. I will go with the gskill ram.

I'll see if I can post a speccy log. This requires me to boot windows (I think), so I will see what I can do. Right now I am using Ubuntu.

Thanks

 

Caliban,

i still hope i have you with me. i had to reinstall windows in order to get you the speccy. the OS had a serious problem. i'm not sure what part of speccy you wanted, so i will just put up there what i think you will want.

Summary
Operating System
MS Windows XP Home 32-bit SP3
CPU
Intel Pentium 4 516
Intel Pentium 4 516
Prescott 90nm Technology
RAM
1.0GB Dual-Channel DDR @ 133MHz (3-3-3-8)




thanks Caliban

 

Hi.

Either the G.Skill or the Wintec modules should work just fine. I wouldn't worry about the differences in timing - they are both very close to your current specs, and any effects caused by the differences would be minuscule and only apparent if performing hardcore benchmarking.

Be advised: the mods will probably edit your Speccy log. In the future, generate and save a text file and follow this guide for posting logs.

Good luck, and keep us posted with the results.

 

Caliban,

I ordered the gskill sticks. they're on the way.
I don't mind that the speccy log is edited or deleted completely. It was posted for your specific review. now that you've seen it, it has served it's purpose.
I will check out your guide as well.
EDIT: I have reviewed the guide you have provided to me. if i could, i would delete the speccy myself, but i don't know if this is allowed or frowned upon.
thank you


to the mods:

please feel free to edit or delete my speccy post. thank you for allowing me to post it so Caliban could see it.
ejames82

 

Hi, ejames82.

No problem - let us know how the new RAM works out.