Upgrading my computer.

[FordSVT]

My second computer is a 4-5 year old Dell Dimension 4500S with a 1.8Ghz P4 and only 256 MB of 266 Mhz DDR266 PC2100 RAM.

It works fine to surf the internet and all that good stuff, which is all my wife uses it for. However, it's getting a bit "chuggy" lately, even though the HD clutter is minimal and Scandisk and Defrag don't seem to make it any better. She's doing more file downloading and internet apps and pages are getting a bit more complicated, so I'm positive I just need more RAM. I think 1GB should be enough, though the motherboard is designed to take two.

Here's my question:

I've got two memory slots. I've heard conflicting information about how to configure the memory. Can I keep the 256 MB I already have and simply add the 1GB stick? Would I have to get 2-512MB sticks and fill both slots for optimal performance? (I read that one online but don't think it's true). Do I put the bigger RAM where the current RAM is and move the 256MB to the second slot if I can?

I've read a few different "HT upgrade your memory" guides but I read different things and before I spend my money and minutes of time I'd like to get this cleared up.

 

[Brent]

Typically it is better to install memory in pairs, for both stability and to achieve the fastest memory timmings. Therefore, if you wish to upgrade to 1 GB I'd recommend 2x 512MB sticks.

Personally I wouldn't waste money upgrading that system to 2 GB, not going to be worth it. Going from 256MB to 1GB will be a huge upgrade for that system.

 

[FordSVT]

I agree, I never really considered 2GB. It's only a total of $15 more to get 2-512 sticks instead of 1-1024 stick, that might be the way I'd want to go.

So you'd definitely recommend that over one 1GB stick or even 1GB + the 256 I've already got? Can I do that as well?

 

[Brent]

FordSVT said:
I agree, I never really considered 2GB. It's only a total of $15 more to get 2-512 sticks instead of 1-1024 stick, that might be the way I'd want to go.

So you'd definitely recommend that over one 1GB stick or even 1GB + the 256 I've already got? Can I do that as well?

I would not mix the 1 GB stick and 256MB stick

I'd go with 2 clean 512 MB sticks

 

[FordSVT]

THANK YOU!

 

[Paxil]

But there is no reason not to go with the 1Gb stick alone if its cheaper.

 

[unclefungus]

best to check the front side bus speed. system speed is limited by memory speed.

 

[farmkid]

There is no reason you can't add a 1GB stick to the 256 you already have. It really only makes a difference if the computer has a dual channel memory controller, which yours does not have. The computer will just run them both at the lower speed setting (PC2100). However, you may see better performance by removing the 256MB module so that the memory can run faster.

I would recommend getting the 1GB stick (PC3200) and try running the system with and without the 256MB installed. See which works better.

 

[TremblingBluStar]

I'd check your motherboard manual. There may only be two RAM slots, or if there are three it might be limited to using only two.

For example, my ASUS board with my old P4 1.9Ghz had an A slot and two B slots. I could use the A slot, or the two B slots. Can't use an A and a B slot at the same time. Thus, I could only use two of the slots.

Just don't ask me to explain why.

As others have said, however, your system would benefit greatly from going up to 1G. If you only have two slots, even going up 768 (256 + 512) would help.

 

[GodThingFormerly]

http://www.crucial.com/ (try the scanner tool).
http://www.kingston.com/

TGT

 

[FordSVT]

I've already opened it up and looked, just two slots. I've used hardware scanners and website tools, I definitely know what kinds of RAM and how much I need. I just wasn't exactly sure if I should go with 1-1GB or 2-512MB sticks.

Thanks again to everyone.