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Quick RAM question

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by kal_lmn

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Hi, i have a quick question i wanted to ask. I have a Dell Dimension B110, with a 2.5GHz processor. I use DDR PC3200 RAM, and currently have 2 RAM slloots in my computer (both taken by 256MB RAM) for a total of 512 MB. My computer teacher in school currently bought alot of RAM for the school computers in his class, and asked me if i wanted to trade both my 256 for one 1GB RAM. I know that 1 GB is more than i currently have, but i also heard that for best performance, you should use memory in pairs of 2 of the same. So, is 1 1GB better to have in my comp, or would 2 256MB have better performance? Thanks in advance for the help.

6 replies

by travler92

The advice you heard regarding the '2 of the same' relates to the speed of the RAM modules. At present you have 2 x 256mb (PC3200), if these where differen speeds then you may run into problems. As for the upgrade to 1GB.........well you can never have to much memory.

Good Luck

by kal_lmn

OK, so just to make sure, the only thing ihave to worry about is if 2 modules have different speeds, and since ill only have 1 1GB module, theres no problem, and itll be better than the 2 256MB ?

by travler92

Memory slots are groupd in banks of 2 (0&1, 2&3) you can, in therory have different memory speeds and sizes in each bank (of 2) but its not reccommended.

by thechas

For some systems and some styles of RAM, they do need to be installed in matched pairs for optimum performance.

When you are installing multiple memory modules, the system will usually be more stable if all of the modules are the same size, speed, and latency.

You need to keep in mind 2 factors aside from having the correct type of RAM:

How much memory can the system address, and can be in each slot?

Is there a memory limit for my OS?

For a Dell B110, you should have no issue with 1 1GB DIMM. You might want to see if you can bargain for a second DIMM to max out your memory.

After installing the 1GB DIMM, I recommend you enter BIOS setup and allocate more memory for the video system. 128MB should be enough if that is an option.

Chas

by cg it

maybe back in the days of the 72 pin SIMM motherboard had to have a SIMM in slot 1 and the matched pair in Slot 2 and on some of the 168 pin motherboard, you had to have the memory module in slot one but with todays new motherboards, you can stick a memory module in any memory slot and the computer will boot up. If you want Dual Channel, then yeah you have to have 2 modules and stick em in the right slot.

but using unmatched memory meaning different speed memory has never been recommended, though to people have tried it [god knows why].

My suggestion, go get the motherboard manual, find out what memory it supports, then only buy that memory. If it support different speed memory, only buy memory for 1 speed. example intel 865 Perl boards take up to PC 3200 [400,333,and 266 mhz]. If you buy PC3200 400 Mhz then you want to buy more, only buy PC3200 400 Mhz modules.

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