Upgrading RAM

Hello, I have a HP a250n Desktop. I have 2 - 256mb DDR SDRAM currently installed, and I have two open slots. Right now my bios says I have banks (0,1,2,3). My memory is currently in slots 0 and 2. I have two questions:
Question One...I want at least 512mb more Ram, should I buy 2 256 mb chips, or 1 512mb chip, or opt for 2 512 mb ram? I like the idea of 2 512 MB ram with the 2 -256 I already have but I read this on a site and got worried, "DIMMs can only operate as fast as the speed of the system bus. Also, if two or more DIMMs of different speeds are installed, the total memory only operates as fast as DIMM with the lowest speed." I don't want to buy 512 chips if they wont be used completely.

Second Question...when I get new chips, and they are different, I heard you need to group the similar ones. Should I move the current ones into the first two slots (0 & 1)?

Any suggestions on where to buy the RAM online? I was figuring TigerDirect.

Thanks for your help.

 

Crucial advertise on MG and include a very helpful calculator based on your pc make etc.
If you are not an expert use their expert services, they are very reliable, and price competitive.

Studio T

 

When you choose your new Ram, use combinations as is, - as it appears you are running dual channel, (doubles the Front side bus- possibly from 400 to 800, depending on the Ram) and this usually is placed in alternate slots, often coloured.

 

Your system shipped with PC2700 (DDR333) RAM. This means you can purchase either additional PC2700 or PC3200 (DDR400) RAM without compromising your system's performance.PC3200 will operate at 333MHz, but if you can find a deal on PC3200 that's better than what you can find on PC2700, go for it. Your system supports hyper-threading, so one can likely assume dual channel memory operation as well. As to installation, most manufacturers color-code memory slots so you can tell which ones are the same channel, in order to maintain dual channel operation. Just make sure your current sticks are in like-colored slots, and that any new you purchase go in the others.Your system cannot exceed 2GB total installed RAM. Whatever you add must be identical pairs-- not necessarily to your current RAM, but to eachother-- to maintain dual channel operation.

 

Thanks for all your input. I didn't notice any color coding. It looks like I will ket 2 - 512mb and put them in slots 1 and 3 and see if that works. How do I know if they are being utilized? I don't know how to "test" my system. Thanks

 

Simplest would be Start -> My Computer (right click, choose Properties) -> General tab. Amount of memory recognized by XP at bottom.

 

To see if it is running dual channel, and more, you can download Everest free edition 220, from
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4181.html