Computer question 23451X

[Ralph Baer]

I would like to upgrade the memory in my desktop computer, a Gateway FX530XM. It currently has 2 gigabytes of memory. The most that the computer can support is 8 gigabytes, however with a 32-bit operating system 4 gigabytes is all that can be addressed.

The 2 gigabytes that I have is made up of 2 1-gig modules. I assume that there is no difference in having 4 1-gig modules compared to 2 2-gig modules. Thus it is cheapest now to buy 2 more 1-gig modules. Does that make sense?

The four slots are called
Channel A slot 0
Channel A slot 1
Channel B slot 0
Channel B slot 1

The two modules are in Channel A slot 0 and Channel B slot 0. I was reading that memory in the 2 slots in the same channel should match. Thus, I should move one of the modules, say the one from Channel A slot 0 to Channel B slot 1. Correct?

I went to Crucial Memory's website to find out what kind of memory I should get. They gave a lot of different choices. The modules are described as DDR2-667, DDR2-800, and DDR2-1066. Do the different numbers refer to speed? The packing slip/invoice doesn't say what speed memory I currently have. If I take out the memory currently in the computer, should the labels answer the question? Is it worth it to get the faster memory?

 

[leswp1]

Re: Computer question 23451X

This sounds like Math and logic. Isn't that against the laws in here?

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: Computer question 23451X

This sounds like Math and logic. Isn't that against the laws in here?

This isn't the Lodge.

 

[burgie12]

Re: Computer question 23451X

I would like to upgrade the memory in my desktop computer, a Gateway FX530XM. It currently has 2 gigabytes of memory. The most that the computer can support is 8 gigabytes, however with a 32-bit operating system 4 gigabytes is all that can be addressed.

The 2 gigabytes that I have is made up of 2 1-gig modules. I assume that there is no difference in having 4 1-gig modules compared to 2 2-gig modules. Thus it is cheapest now to buy 2 more 1-gig modules. Does that make sense?

Supposedly, there actually is a slight difference. I would go with the four 1-gig sticks because (I think) that RAM is a parallel process and the more sticks you have, the better. Also, you're right that the limit for your machine is 4gigs. Even if you put in more, you won't see any benefit (hence why I am using a 64-bit OS).

The four slots are called
Channel A slot 0
Channel A slot 1
Channel B slot 0
Channel B slot 1

The two modules are in Channel A slot 0 and Channel B slot 0. I was reading that memory in the 2 slots in the same channel should match. Thus, I should move one of the modules, say the one from Channel A slot 0 to Channel B slot 1. Correct?

Your motherboard manual will tell you this information. My manual told me to keep corresponding slots in the different channels the same (both slot 0s are the same), and that would be my guess for your computer as well. If that wasn't the case, I think that when the RAM came installed, they would both be on Channel A.

I went to Crucial Memory's website to find out what kind of memory I should get. They gave a lot of different choices. The modules are described as DDR2-667, DDR2-800, and DDR2-1066. Do the different numbers refer to speed? The packing slip/invoice doesn't say what speed memory I currently have. If I take out the memory currently in the computer, should the labels answer the question? Is it worth it to get the faster memory?

You should not mix memory speeds. Mixing memory speeds is a quick and easy way to cause your computer to not like you. There are a bunch of sites out there where you can scan your system to find information like this. A quick Google search for me yielded pcpitstop.com, crucial.com, memtest.org, and "CPU-Z". Another method is to enter the BIOS for your motherboard. However, in the BIOS, you have the capability to change settings which could easily end in disaster.


If this was TL;DR: Don't mix RAM speeds, so scan your system and make sure you check your motherboard manual before installing the new RAM.

 

[SteveP]

Re: Computer question 23451X

Everest Home Edition is a free download that will give you all the information about your system, including memory.

Good luck with the upgrade. I recently went one better -- buying a new Gateway with a dual-core processor, 4 gigs of RAM and 1 Tb hard drive. Smokin' fast compared to my five-year old machine.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: Computer question 23451X

Your motherboard manual will tell you this information. My manual told me to keep corresponding slots in the different channels the same (both slot 0s are the same), and that would be my guess for your computer as well. If that wasn't the case, I think that when the RAM came installed, they would both be on Channel A.

I don't have a motherboard manual.

You should not mix memory speeds. Mixing memory speeds is a quick and easy way to cause your computer to not like you. There are a bunch of sites out there where you can scan your system to find information like this. A quick Google search for me yielded pcpitstop.com, crucial.com, memtest.org, and "CPU-Z". Another method is to enter the BIOS for your motherboard. However, in the BIOS, you have the capability to change settings which could easily end in disaster.

I had tried using Crucial.com because that is what we use at work, but it didn't tell me the speed of the memory that I have. Are the other sides which you mentioned legitimate, or might they put viruses on my computer?

Everest Home Edition is a free download that will give you all the information about your system, including memory.

Good luck with the upgrade. I recently went one better -- buying a new Gateway with a dual-core processor, 4 gigs of RAM and 1 Tb hard drive. Smokin' fast compared to my five-year old machine.

That is another option, but this computer is not quite 3 years old, so I figured to go with an upgrade at this time.

 

[burgie12]

Re: Computer question 23451X

I don't have a motherboard manual.

Hmm. This might take more googling. Do you have more information about the computer? You said it was gateway, but is there any more information, like the model? Basically, there should be something in between "Gateway" and the number.

I had tried using Crucial.com because that is what we use at work, but it didn't tell me the speed of the memory that I have. Are the otehr sides which you mentioned legiitamte, ro might they put viruses on my computer?

I would trust memtest, but I am also skeptical of pcpitstop and have no information on CPU-Z.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: Computer question 23451X

Hmm. This might take more googling. Do you have more information about the computer? You said it was gateway, but is there any more information, like the model? Basically, there should be something in between "Gateway" and the number.



I would trust memtest, but I am also skeptical of pcpitstop and have no information on CPU-Z.

It's a Gateway FX530XM. Crucial's test gave the motherboard as an Intel OEMD975XBGG1. Among all the Google results it seems like 667 is the maximum.

 

[hockeyplayer1015]

Re: Computer question 23451X

It's a Gateway FX530XM. Crucial's test gave the motherboard as an Intel OEMD975XBGG1. Among all the Google results it seems like 667 is the maximum.

2048MB 667MHz Dual-Channel DDR2 SDRAM (2-1024MB modules)

That's what you have in there right now, straight from Gateway's site for your machine.

Ralph, after some browsing, here's a couple options for you at prices you likely won't beat:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146526

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231108

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134046

Basically, you're looking for DDR2 (240 pin), 667 MHz (PC2 5300) speed, 2x1GB sticks.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: Computer question 23451X

2048MB 667MHz Dual-Channel DDR2 SDRAM (2-1024MB modules)

That's what you have in there right now, straight from Gateway's site for your machine.

Ralph, after some browsing, here's a couple options for you at prices you likely won't beat:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146526

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231108

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134046

Basically, you're looking for DDR2 (240 pin), 667 MHz (PC2 5300) speed, 2x1GB sticks.

Thanks.

Gateway has a site for my computer. Why didn't I think of that?

BTW, that is what I thought I needed. I wonder if any of those brands is better than the others. They differ significantly in price.

 

[hockeyplayer1015]

Re: Computer question 23451X

Thanks.

Gateway has a site for my commputer. Why didn't I think of that?

BTW, that is what I thought I needed. I wonder if any of those brands is better than the others. They differ significantly in price.

generally speaking, crucial, kingston, gskill and corsair are all good names in memoryland. I would go down through the reviews and pick one based on those. There really shouldn't be much of a difference between them though.

 

[rufus]

Re: Computer question 23451X

All three of those are good memory options, so go with the Crucial, which is cheapest.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: Computer question 23451X

I bought the Crucial memory from Newegg.

 

[kdilks]

Re: Computer question 23451X

I would trust memtest, but I am also skeptical of pcpitstop and have no information on CPU-Z.

CPU-Z is good. Very lightweight, tells you what you need to know about memory timings/CPU frequencies/etc.

The four slots are called
Channel A slot 0
Channel A slot 1
Channel B slot 0
Channel B slot 1

The two modules are in Channel A slot 0 and Channel B slot 0. I was reading that memory in the 2 slots in the same channel should match. Thus, I should move one of the modules, say the one from Channel A slot 0 to Channel B slot 1. Correct?

I confirmed with my own motherboard manual and this that you want to keep things the way they are. Channel A slot 0 is paired with Channel B slot 0, and Channel A slot 1 is paired with Channel B slot 1. I realized I've never had to think about that before because all of my motherboards have had the memory slots color-coded .

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: Computer question 23451X

CPU-Z is good. Very lightweight, tells you what you need to know about memory timings/CPU frequencies/etc.



I confirmed with my own motherboard manual and this that you want to keep things the way they are. Channel A slot 0 is paired with Channel B slot 0, and Channel A slot 1 is paired with Channel B slot 1. I realized I've never had to think about that before because all of my motherboards have had the memory slots color-coded .

Thanks. It seemed weird because the slots are in the order that I listed them. The two slot 0's are differently colored form the two slot 1's.

 

[jmh]

Re: Computer question 23451X

I figured I'd post my question in an existing computer question thread rather than start yet another one.

Steam is having a big holiday sale on downloadable games and I just picked up GTA4 for $7.50. Got the whole thing downloaded, and when I try to run it, it turns out that my system's video specs aren't good enough. I have a fairly small laptop with an Intel GM965 video chipset that has 192MB of on-board video memory. GTA4 requires at least 256MB of physical video memory.

So my question is - is the memory on a video board like the memory on a motherboard, in that it's in the form of removable/replaceable memory chips, such that I could potentially add physical video memory without getting a new video board? Intel's specs would seem to suggest that this is the case - see "Support for dual channel DDR2 667 MHz memory technology", which would seem to suggest that what it currently has is one 128MB DDR2 chip and one 64MB, and that I could go on Ebay, buy a chip from this linked page, replace what's there, and I should be all set. Am I wrong about this?

(Let's assume that I'm not concerned about issues relating to voiding the warranty if I open the case or whatever, and that I'm reasonably proficient, if not an expert, in this type of hardware work.)

 

[hockeyplayer1015]

Re: Computer question 23451X

I figured I'd post my question in an existing computer question thread rather than start yet another one.

Steam is having a big holiday sale on downloadable games and I just picked up GTA4 for $7.50. Got the whole thing downloaded, and when I try to run it, it turns out that my system's video specs aren't good enough. I have a fairly small laptop with an Intel GM965 video chipset that has 192MB of on-board video memory. GTA4 requires at least 256MB of physical video memory.

So my question is - is the memory on a video board like the memory on a motherboard, in that it's in the form of removable/replaceable memory chips, such that I could potentially add physical video memory without getting a new video board? Intel's specs would seem to suggest that this is the case - see "Support for dual channel DDR2 667 MHz memory technology", which would seem to suggest that what it currently has is one 128MB DDR2 chip and one 64MB, and that I could go on Ebay, buy a chip from this linked page, replace what's there, and I should be all set. Am I wrong about this?

(Let's assume that I'm not concerned about issues relating to voiding the warranty if I open the case or whatever, and that I'm reasonably proficient, if not an expert, in this type of hardware work.)

Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure that your on-board GPU isn't expandable with more memory, atleast using the process you mention. That chip set is essentially the motherboard of your laptop, and includes the RAM slots which you noted above as thinking might be the chips on the GPU. My guess is that there is a possibly a slider bar somewhere in your options that you can decide how much memory to use based on what memory you have available, although it has been a long time since I've had on-board GPU. I think that you are out of luck, but I could be wrong on this.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: Computer question 23451X

The memory arrived on Tuesday, and I installed it a few minutes ago. The computer only recognized 3.24 gigabytes of the 4 gigabytes, but I knew that might happen.