Quick RAM Question (Computers) - RC-Monster Forums

BP-Revo · **Quick RAM Question (Computers) -** 11.20.2009, 12:58 AM

So, right now I'm running 2 gigs of ram (2X 1 gig sticks). They require a specific voltage and need the Cas latency to be set manually to work properly, and they have been set as such and my computer runs rock solid.

It has been the same windows install since it was built (back in April of 2007), so I know whatever is set is perfect and I don't want to tweak it.

Anyway, what I do want is more ram. I have 2 gigs like I said on x86 XP Pro (32-bit for those who don't know what x86 is).

I was going to buy the exact same ram that I have in there now (it is the exact same product page since my newegg order for the computer build back in April of 07).

I just wanted to make sure that I could just plug in new pair of sticks right next to the other ones and everything should be fine and dandy? They'll all run at the same settings?

As far as I know you can't set individual timings for each stick of ram so once it is set all the slots run as such, which is the settings I have now.

Thanks

BP

BrianG · 11.20.2009, 01:02 AM

First of all, why would you need more than 2GB of RAM on XP?? My commit charge (RAM being used) at any one time has never been above 700MB, and that's with a lot of stuff open at once. If you are looking to eliminate the page file, it won't help. No matter how much RAM you have, paging will be used to some degree.

Anyway, from experience, the more sticks of RAM you have, the more sensitive the whole system becomes with regard to settings. Even if they were all the same, you might have to raise the latency for stability. This is with DDR RAM, so I'm not sure if this applies to DDR2 if that's what you have.

BP-Revo · 11.20.2009, 01:15 AM

It is indeed DDR2-800 (PC6400).

Here is the link to the product page:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231087

Every so often I have crept up to 1.8 gigs used or so and I figure might as well have a bit more, it can't really hurt. But you do have a point with system stability.

Also, the last time one of my friends played World of Warcraft on my computer he pulled up the task manager and my ram was more or less maxed out. I kind of don't count this since I do not play WoW myself and have it only installed so that my friends can play/check their accounts if they are over (almost all my friends play), but one has conducted a "raid" at my house when his internet was down.

11.20.2009, 01:16 AM

4 gigs did nothing for me, i put my friends identical ram(we all bought computers same time), and battlfield 2 actually loaded slower with 4 gigs of ram installed. really, wait till you can get windows 7 on your next build and go for it then. but to answer your question you need to do nothing to add ram xp will automatically recognize it.

BP-Revo · 11.20.2009, 01:30 AM

Hmm...ok. You guys talked me out of it. I'll deal with it when I do my next computer build (a solid minimum of 3-4 years from now, that is).

bdebde · 11.20.2009, 01:37 AM

5 or 6 years out of a computer?! I thought I had mine forever at 4 years old! I just built this new one one a couple of days ago. And yes 2 gigs is plenty for XP.

BP-Revo · 11.20.2009, 01:53 AM

My desktop is about 2 and a half years old right now and runs plenty fast for everything I generally do on it. It has a lot less usage now since I only use it on the weekends when I'm home. I use my laptop when I am up at school.

My desktop wasn't cheap when I built it, though. It was my first desktop (always had laptops before that). I spent about 2700 bucks out the door (I bought from Newegg - and I had to pay tax since they are in CA too). I did, however, have to buy a monitor, mouse, keyboard, mousepad, case, DVD drive - the whole 9 yards...

Unless I buy some of the newest games and want to run them at full settings, my computer is more than powerful enough.

The last computer I had before my desktop my old laptop. It was a Dell Inspiron 8600. Had it for about 4 years before getting it replaced. Still runs now (hard drive died and I replaced it, but that's about it) and I still use it since it gets great battery life.

My new laptop (Dell Inspiron XPS M1730) gets TERRIBLE battery life. 50 minutes browsing the web on a full charge. It does, however, have 2 video cards, 2 hard drives, a BluRay player and a 17" 1920x1200 screen as well as a backlit keyboard and "effect lights" so there IS a lot of power draw. My power brick for it is 1.3lbs and is nearly 300 watts.

I more or less consider this a portable desktop and all the movement it sees is getting transported up and down from my aunt/uncles house every week. I bring it up and set it up Sunday night and put it away and take it home Friday in case I need it to do homework.

If you couldn't figure it out, my concept with computers is buy a very very powerful (albeit expensive) computer and keep it for a longer period of time (minimum 4 years). I may still pay slightly more in the long run but I'll have a powerful computer and I don't need to worry about transferring my old files all the time.

Same goes for my laptop. I plan on using this through all of college at the very least, so that'll be at least 5 years.

What's_nitro? · 02:17 AM

Your best bet at this point, for better performance, would be a mobo with DDR3 support.

I had a "portable desktop" before my current setup, too. A WidowPC Sting917 X2. As of this past Feb. I'd had it for 4 years. It was great until a solder joint came loose on the video card and the screen went all funky... I'm sure you notice with your Dell too, but PD's tend to run really hot and I think that's why it failed.

In March this year I bought a new system (all from NewEgg w/free shipping

11.20.2009, 02:29 AM

you end up buying everything new... new ram & mother board = new CPU... so from my experience. wait, it will be cheaper and faster in 6 months. if it runs everything you want; keep it

jayjay283 · 11.20.2009, 02:32 AM

2 cents... Go get a HP PC from Sams Club (walmart bulk) 1200, you will have 6 -8 gig ram 4x processor and a 25" lcd with all wireless tools. I was a VAR and this is why I have no job

BP-Revo · 11.20.2009, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayjay283

2 cents... Go get a HP PC from Sams Club (walmart bulk) 1200, you will have 6 -8 gig ram 4x processor and a 25" lcd with all wireless tools. I was a VAR and this is why I have no job

Yet I still bet I can game better on my computer due to the video card...

Plus, I already have a 26" monitor...

I expressly refuse to buy pre-built desktops, because as a gamer, it is always cheaper to build yourself. I won't deny you can pick up some great web surfers and email checkers though.

Yes, the Portable Desktop isn't exactly the coolest running thing, but as long as you place it on a flat surface it does fine. The entire rear 1/3 of the computer is dedicated to cooling...

rabosi · 11.20.2009, 10:46 AM

I say stick (no pun) with what you have if you're satisfied with the performance.
I agree with build it yourself for gaming. Those pre-built retail systems usually cut corners to save cost and typically it's the graphics.

BrianG · 11.20.2009, 11:16 AM

Those prebuilts do skimp on some things. Usually, harddrive capacityis fine, and CPU and memory components are great for office apps (word processing, spreadsheets, development), email, and surfing, etc - the main things people do with PCs. But the OEM mobos are usually watered down versions of aftermarket versions from the same company (very little to no BIOS customization), memory is not as robust (don't take more aggressive settings), use either integrated graphics (which used the slower system memory) or a weak graphics card, and have a puny power supply barely sufficient for the system as-is, let alone any future upgrades. But really, as long as the prebuilts have an available PCIe x16 slot for a better graphics card (and the integrated graphics is defeatable in BIOS), you can get the card you want and slap it in. Then, get a better power supply to handle all that load without sweating and you have a decent performing system for less than a totally custom built box. And if something goes wrong, just remove the added card and put the old PS back in and have it fixed under warranty. This is the route I plan on going next time around.

My current main box (Athlon64 2.2GHz socket 754, 1GB DDR, dual SATA 35GB 10krpm WD Raptor drives in RAID0) currently works fine for what I do, but I would like to play some of the newer games (mostly driving/racing) at decent framerates.

11.20.2009, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Also, the last time one of my friends played World of Warcraft on my computer he pulled up the task manager and my ram was more or less maxed out. I kind of don't count this since I do not play WoW myself and have it only installed so that my friends can play/check their accounts if they are over (almost all my friends play), but one has conducted a "raid" at my house when his internet was down.

It`s well know that WOW doesn`t need alot of computer to be played I have a Pentium 4 with 1 gig of ram & I`m only really lag in dalaran.Most likely he had the video option turned all the way with things like the shadow texturing running set to full

Unsullied_Spy · 11.20.2009, 06:52 PM

Keep it the way it is until it can no longer handle what you need it to, then replace the motherboard, CPU, RAM, video card, etc. all at the same time. I typically do this every 4-6 years and it works fine. I don't usually spring for the best of the best though, I find a good deal on something nearly as good as the best but a fraction of the cost. My last rebuild was 1.5 years ago and I got a quad core CPU, 4 GB of DDR2, 8800 GT, 10k RPM Raptor, 400GB and 500GB storage drives, etc. all for about $700 and it runs everything I can throw at it just fine. Far Cry 2 is so far the most intensive game I've put it through and it can run that maxed out perfectly smooth, and Sins of a Solar Empire is tough on the CPU at times and it still chews it up.