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RAM capacity

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by janzenbrewer

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I have a home computer from a couple of years ago. It has a Intel Celeron 1.1Ghz with 384Mb RAM. It origianally had 256Mb of SDRAM and I upgraded it a month ago by replacing a 128Mb module with a 256Mb from Staples. My motherboard has a max capacity of 512MbRAM. I'm in the 8th grade, and I've been pondering replacing the other 128Mb module with a 256Mb. A 256Mb module costs about $50, in a cost-effectiveness comparison, would the extra 128Mb of SDRAM be worth the $50?

6 replies

by thechas

The primary questions here are:
Which version of Windows?
and, how do you use your PC.

If you have Windows 98 or Me, save your money.
You will see no significant improvement, and your system may even lock up if you increase RAM to 512MB.

If you are running Windows XP AND run memory intensive applications such as image editors or CAD, you will see a benefit to more RAM.

Chas

by oz_media

As Chas said the MOST important thing is which OS you are using.
Another thing that may hold you back is BIOS support. Check with the mother board's manufacturer to see limitations for that board. Just having the slots doesn't mean you can fill them all with 256 sticks. Sometimes a BIOS update will be available if from an OEM builder such as HP or Compaq.

by janzenbrewer

Yes, I have XP. I don't know what version of BIOS I have, but it came with the computer a couple of years ago (it's 2 years old on x-mas). Could I get an update for the BIOS and would it cost anything and would it increase it's RAM capacity. Right now it has 386MB of RAM and can hold 512MB.

by janzenbrewer

Yes, I have XP. I don't know what version of BIOS I have, but it came with the computer a couple of years ago (it's 2 years old on x-mas). Could I get an update for the BIOS and would it cost anything and would it increase it's RAM capacity. Right now it has 386MB of RAM and can hold 512MB. I generally use it for RAM-intensive gaming and also for some AutoCAD drawings for school. I also use Flash MX for animations.

by thechas

Yes, with Windows XP, you will notice improved performance by adding another 128MB of RAM.

As to your BIOS, you need to check at the company that made the motherboard or the system.

A BIOS update 'may' allow your system to use larger RAM modules.

DO NOT flash the BIOS unless the update specifically addresses a problem that you are having with the PC.

If anything goes wrong during the flash process, your PC will be dead!

Chas

by lawrephord145

do you have a teacher good with a soldering iron ?
visit a computer science profesor for a different
modification get in to your chipset bypass instructions DRIVE 1024meg or higher !

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