Questions on memory installation

I would like to upgrade my memory, and I would like to ask for advice on the following:

1) I believe my RAM is 800 DDR2. How can I confirm this?
2) Can I add 4GB (2GB x 2 for a total of 6GB) to my set up?
3) Any recommendations on specific brands?
3) Is installation just a matter of plugging them in or is there something else I need to do?

Thank you all in advance.


Vista Home Premium 64 (SP1)
AMD Athlon 64 Dual Core 3800+
Gigabyte MA-790XDS4
Sapphire Radeon HD3870
Western Digital Caviar SE 500GB
OCZ 2GB

 

1. It will say in your BIOS, and it will also say on the label on the memory stick itself. DDR2-800 is PC2-6400.

2. I couldn't find anything on your motherboard online, not even on Gigabyte's website. I can find similar boards, but not that exact one. Check your manual, it will tell you what the upper limit is.

3. Corsair, Crucial, and Kingston are all good. If you already have OCZ and like them, there's no point in switching though. Get the same brand, and match the voltage and timings to what you already have installed.

4. Yes it is, and no, there's not.

 

Mimsy,

Thank you very much!

 

Try www.crucial.com ... they have a scanner to tell you what memory that you have, how much you have, how much you can have, and also explain about a 32bit system seeing anymore than 3Gb of ram ... also, they have a lifetime warranty, and several options and price quotes on their site ... you may be able to buy thier memory cheaper at other sites ... such as www.newegg.com or www.zipzoomfly.com ... hope that helped ...

 

yamatosoul, you're welcome

The scanner davequinn is linking to is great, but keep in mind that it does not take into account what you already have installed in your system. If your OCZ memory is their performance line, Platinum, Titanium, Reaper, or one of the others, it will not play well with another type of memory. If you have OCZ regular JEDEC standard RAM, you're good, and can put in any other non-performance memory.

If you have questions about how to match what's in your system right now, just post them here.

 

Thanks again, Mimsy. I will open up my box, and get back to you. I really appreciate all the help I get from the members here!

 

I was thinking of replacing my current memory with one of these sets:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227267

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227269

Would they work on my set up? Thank you.

Vista Home Premium 64 (SP1)
AMD Athlon 64 Dual Core 3800+
Gigabyte MA-790XDS4
Sapphire Radeon HD3870
Western Digital Caviar SE 500GB
OCZ 2GB

 

Either one would work. Personally, I'd buy the second one since I care a lot more for stability than sky-high performance. Note that to get maximum speed and performance, and possibly stability, out of that OCZ kit you need to adjust the RAM voltage from 1.8V to 2.1V in your BIOS. If you don't know how to do that, consider non-performance RAM. If you do know how to adjust that though, you can do a lot worse than OCZ. They sell good stuff, and though I have no personal experience with them, I have heard others speak well of their customer service.

 

Thank you again, Mimsy, but I went ahead and ordered the first one because I didn't see anyone respond after several hours of my post (my memory died on me yesterday). Should I return it and get the second one like you said, or can you please advise on how to change the BIOS settings?

 

No, no, if you already ordered the first one, stick with it. Dead memory means a non-working computer and trust me, I'm very sympathetic to that situation!

That kit will still work, as long as you change the voltage according to what the specs say. Those ones need 2.1V too, so same deal. The motherboard manual will tell you how and where to change it.

And some of us have to work, and can't check forums from work... Always give it a minimum of 24 hours.

 

Sorry, I didn't mean to sound like I was complaining (I work too). I guess I was a bit impatient because my PC was dead. Thanks again for all your advice!

 

That is nothing to apologize for. I'm sure any regular here will not only understand, but feel your pain. Being without a computer is just... painful. So painful.

No worries. If you run into issues with the new RAM, just post back here, in a new thread. We'll all do our best to help you.