I have 256 RAM - have ?'s about upgrading

I have a Dimension Desktop 4500, Intel Pentium 4, 2.0 GHz, 256 MB DDR SDRAM, 40 GB Hardrive.

I would like to upgrade to 700 (whatever it is in that range) or higher. I do not know if my computer supports dual channel RAM, I have the opportunity to buy a gig for $70, but it is dual channel. All the other specs on the RAM are right for the upgrade.

 

Memory is not dual channel, but rather it can operate in dual channel mode if the motherboard has that capability. Is the 1 gig two 512MB sticks or a single 1GB? A 1 GB "dual channel kit" would be two matched 512MB sticks. The best way to see what your Dell model can take is to go to www.crucial.com and enter your model number. Whether you buy from them or not-- they do make very good memory, and it's likely your Dell came with Micron/Crucial-- you can see exactly what you can and cannot do.

 

It doesn't say on Crucial's site any recommendations with what I can see as dual channel, but I don't know, because I typed a search in on their page for dual channel RAM and came back with no results.

The memory stick I am looking at is two 512's.

 

I believe your machine has only two memory slots. You will have to lose the 256MB to put in the 2 x 512s. I also don't think it has dual channel operation.

 

so a dual channel would take up both slots, is that correct? If so, what's better, two seperate 512's or a dual channel gig?

 

Your computer can hadle any configuration of ddr 266 memory - up to 1 gig.

The idea of dual channel is....IF your motherboard supports it, and you put in two IDENTICAL pieces (as in size chip# etc.) of ram then the motherboard will run it as dual channel memory, which is a good performance advantage. If the motherboard does not support dual channel, it will see the two individual pieces of memory, as simple as that...two individual pieces of memory that will total the megabytes of the two added together, and you just won't have the dual channel performance feature. According to Kingstons website...you have two slots for memory on your motherboard, and you can do a total of 1 gig, which ofcourse would have to be two 512's.

The whole thing of the memory sales pitch saying that it is dual channel memory is to tell you the the two pieces of memory that are being sold together are identical in every aspect, so if you are buying them to run in dual channel, you won't have to search and investigate two individually bought pieces of ram to make sure they are identical!!

Hope that helps!!

Roger

 

In your case, it won't matter. The only reason for buying a dual channel kit is to guarantee you are getting an identical pair of memory modules. Whatever you buy, you would have 1GB operating in single channel mode, so it doesn't matter if they're a matched pair. If you think you might upgrade to a machine that offers dual channel memory operation and would be able to use the memory in it, then opt for the dual channel kit (or if the price is attractive).

 

wow..yeah, it sure does. Thank you so much. I guess it's the advantage to buy the "dual channel" instead of two seperate peices, just in case my motherboard DOES support it, then, right? ( I was going to upgrade to a gig total anyway by removing my old RAM and putting in new).

 

By the way, I love this site. You guys all rock. It's the only place I can get answers right away. I appreciate it!

 

If you were going to buy 1 gig in the first place and the price is competitive, then it certainly won't hurt!! Plus if you upgrade later to a system that does support dual channel...then you've already got two 512's in your pocket!!

Roger

 

Ugggh...now I have another question, after we figured that all out...since I already have 256, if I just got a 512, would there be that much difference in performance between that setup and a whole gig?

 

Depends on what you do. More's usually better, but if you only surf and read email...

I think, these days, though, 512 should be considered a minimum.

 

And play SimCity =) . I do have photography editing software that I use pretty frequently as well, while it is not Photoshop, it does all the same things, so I think it uses alot of memory while in use...?

 

Get the dual channel 1GB kit for $70. As long as it's PC2700 (DDR333) or better.

 

It never hurts to have more memory than needed, however...for example...if you know for a fact that your activities only use 300 and something meg at the most at any given time...then obviously for someone on a tight budget, it would be a waste of money for them to buy a full gig of memory, and 512 would be plenty adequate!!

My laptop, for example, only has 512 in it, and it is capable of 2 gig, but...since I moniter my memory performance and I've yet to see it go over 400 and something used memory...and my wife keeps me on a strict allowance, i'm not in a hurry to go out and spend more money on something I know I don't need at the moment!!

Roger

 

Does it matter how much you load on one slot...IE can I load the entire gig on one slot, or does it need to be broken up into two 512's?

 

Well...your system has two slots, and it says 1 gig maximum, so that limits you to...two 512's.

As quoted from the Kingston website, for you specific system......

Virtually any configuration up to 1GB can be reached using any combination of Kingston's 128, 256, and 512MB modules.

Which is really no advantage or disadvantage, since you can't go above 1 gig anyway.

Roger

 

So no 1 gig sticks of memory for me, even if I keep a slot empty, eh? Sorry so many detailed questions...I just want to learn this really well so I can help my friends out, later, too. (And myself in the future!)

 

Right!!

And...no problem on the questions...that is how you learn, and eliminate any possibilty of confusion!!!! Besides that...I love chatting when I know what I'm talking about!!!! LOL

Roger

 

Thank you so much for all your help. I am off work now, sooo, time to purchase! Looks like I will just be getting one stick of 512 to start out with, and I'll just keep my one stick of either the 184 or 256 (whatever's already in there) in the other slot. Hopefully that is ok to mix...let me know if it's not!

 

You shouldn't have any problems with that.

Roger