upgrading RAM

My question is for various computers we have at work and they want me to order new RAM to upgrade them (and sad to say, I know more than anyone and, as you'll see, that's not saying much).

First question:
I know exactly what is in each computer (used a great program from "cpuz"...I don't know if it's ever mentioned here) and so that's not an issue. We have a new program on all the client computers that must have a maximum of 512 RAM but a lot of our computers only have 256 (unbelievable -- and a lot of them are 2 sticks of 128). Every computer has 2 slots.

So is if of value to put in 1 gig of RAM whenever possible or do I need to look at the
a) age of the computer?
b) processor (some of them are Celeron and not Pentium)?

Second:
Does it matter if I upgrade with 2 sticks that equal 512 or 1 stick that equals 512? (or for some of them: 2 sticks that equal 1 gig or 1 stick that equals 1 gig). Do they run better or differently with one or 2 sticks of RAM? I figure the advantage is you can swap them out for more ram later if you put in 1 at a higher value now.

 

Pegg,

I would advise you to wait for other responses but I will respond.
If you are upgrading rdram, it must be done in pairs. I'm not sure if the celeron processor's use rdram though but I have been told that pentium processor's that use rdram must be added in pairs.

 

Most need DDR-SDRam except for a couple older computers that take just SDRam -- they only have 1 stick in them at the moment. But now that you mention it, the DDR-SDRam that I was looking at, I think all of them have 2 sticks in them (I left all the specs at work).

SO...If they have 2 sticks, I need to replace them with 2 sticks of something else???

 

No. Only if they are RDRAM do they need to be replaced in pairs. But please wait until those who are more knowledgable on the subject.

 

The advantage of having two 512's instead of a one gig is that should one stick fail you are not"dead in the water" until you get a replacement. Depending on how many memory slots you have and the maximum your board can handle will be the determining factor.
Seldom would you require more than one gig of memory,regardless of configuration

 

Thank you -- I know each computer only has 2 slots...so it sounds like I should go with 2 sticks of whatever I need to add up to the value we determine (probably 2 512s for each).

Is there a way to see what the maximum is?

 

OK -- maybe I can answer my own question -- I saw this in the DDr2 Ram thread where someone had a link to:

http://www.memory.com/system.asp?model=18746

and since we have Dell computers then I guess I can look up everything there and see what is the max, etc.

Anything else I should know, oh wise ones?

 

EVEREST will tell you everything you need to know.

 

Thanks -- I've used that at home but didn't use it at work -- I'll give it a try.