Adding/Replacing Memory: Some Questions
BlueIrene
Posts: 1,318
I've been using Daz Studio for some months now on a desktop machine blessed with just 1GB of RAM and have learned to live with the limitations since I can't afford a beefier machine for a while.
However, I was taking a look at the innards of this one via a piece of software called CPU-Z and discovered that I have got two free memory slots, the other two each being filled with a 512MB memory card (or stick or whatever you call them).
So I duly toddled off to the Crucible website and ran their scanning utility on my machine, and it told me that this was compatible...
Presumably I would need a pair of these to fill the empty slots. Could I replace what's in the other two as well? Should I?
Secondly, a scout around Ebay turned up this, which is a lot cheaper than the one above and seems to have the same specifications. Is it the same thing? I can live with paying the higher price if I have to, but not if I can get much the same thing for substantially less elsewhere.
Lastly, I want to know if I'd be risking doing any damage to my machine by doing this (any more than you'd usually risk by adding or replacing components, anyway). I've replaced deceased graphics cards and CDR drives in the desktop before and even replaced and added memory in a laptop about a zillion years ago, but someone else who knew the system had always been around to tell me what was compatible with what etc. If there is a possibility that adding more memory might be too much for my power supply or something else I'm too clueless to have thought of, I'd rather know about it now than after I've murdered my PC :)
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Comments
I just did a 16GB upgrade for my HP laptop (also through Crucial). I had 6GB in there before. It's worth it to get as much as you can if you are rendering through your CPU.
RAM is relatively low energy. I wouldn't worry about burning out your components. Just avoid static discharge when you're replacing the RAM so that you don't fry your components.
The biggest thing is getting RAM that is compatible with your system. That's what I liked about the Crucial site... very easy to get something that is compatible. If the RAM ultimately isn't compatible, it's pretty much worthless. It's especially an issue if you have RAM already in existing slots.
The eBay RAM looks ok at first glance... but I ordered my RAM through Crucial, so I can't really advise you on whether or not you should go with the eBay RAM. Of course, even if you order from a bigger name, you can have issues with the RAM.
Thanks for that. It's really appreciated :)
You're apparently running an older machine with DDR type memory (as opposed to DDR2 or DDR3 or newer). A very common memory type and probably obtainable at reasonable prices. (~ $20/GB U.S currency)
Your motherboard apparently has 4 memory slots each capable of holding 1GB. Memory is addressed in pairs so the slots are wired in pairs. If you add two new memory modules make sure they go into the empty pair of slots and don't mix up different types of memory in a pair. Often the paired slots are color coded (one set blue, the other set black).
You probably have two 512MB memory modules already installed. Adding a pair of 1GB modules will give you 3GB and should make a big difference in your performance. If you want 4GB you'll have to remove the original pair of 512s
Memory should be added or removed in matched pairs. A lopsided memory pair (only one of a pair installed) may work but your memory access speed will be cut in half!
If your operating system (Windows) is an old 32-bit system (as opposed to a 64-bit system) you may not be able to take advantage of all of a 4GB memory bank. With 2 or 3GB being the maximum actually useable by programs.
Memory is available at different maximum speed capabilities. Somehow in your posting I got the impression that you currently have the "2700" speed and the memory you found at one of the catalog sites is the "3200" speed. The computer may not be able to handle both speeds simultaneously and will usually regulate itself to the lower installed speed.
Mixing different memory speeds and different manufacturers usually works but can in rare cases be problematic. If you want to be sure about your memory situation, order four identical modules and remove the existing modules.
Memory slots closest to the CPU chip socket are usually the primary memory slots and are probably where your existing memory is installed.
I do not recommend removing the original memory unless you run into problems or need the slots. (don't fix what ain't broken). If you do have to remove the original memory, put the new memory in the same slots. Then if that works OK, try putting the original memory into the secondary slots, to see if the system still works.
Memory is sensitive to static electricity. Before removing the memory from the protective anti-static bag or case, Touch the chassis metal of your computer to discharge any static.
While handling the memory DO NOT touch the connector pins and get finger grease on them. Handle by the ends or top edge of the memory module only. Do not touch the wiring or memory chips themselves. Modern memory is relatively robust but these caution rules never hurt.
Installing memory is relatively simple but be ABSOLUTELY SURE that you've lined up the key notch on the memory to the key bump on the connector. Flip out the levers on both ends of the memory slot then carefully insert the memory into the slot and carefully but FIRMLY press STRAIGHT DOWN on the top edge of the memory module with your thumbs, perhaps rocking it end-to-end a little to get it to seat fully into the socket. When properly seated, the end-levers will pop fully upright again and lock into the notches in the end of the memory module. DO NOT apply pressure sideways on the memory module or you're likely to snap the memory socket right off the board. A virgin memory socket may be tight and your thumb may get sore. Your memory module is not seated until the end-levers are fully engaged. If you have to remove a memory module BE SURE to flip out both end-levers to about their 45 degree position to disengage the locking notch and it will also slightly lift the module to make it easier to remove. When removing, pull straight up or possibly rock slightly end-to-end. Be careful of grease and static and put the memory into an anti-static bag or case.
Once your memory is installed, you can turn on your system. It may tell you that memory size has changed and may ask you authorize the change or do some other action but usually the system just works.
If you boot properly to full running mode you're probably OK and can check your "MyComputer-->Properties" dialog to see how much memory the operating system thinks is installed.
Wow. That must have taken a while to type that lot out. Thank you :)
It took long enough for my freshly made Jello to set enough to dump in my Mandarin Orange slices! (about an hour) :cheese:
Crucible is a major company and provides good, reliable memory safely, but sometimes a bit more pricey that I want to spend.
I've had good luck with "www.4AllMemory.com" out of about 100 orders I only once got a bad memory. However, I don't always trust download apps that claim to examine my system, especially from small companies so I usually just knew exactly what memory was needed by looking up the specifications from the computer manufacturer myself.
Test the memory after you install it and before you depend on it, so you aren't silently corrupting your data if your new memory is bad. (I've had brand new memory be bad, luckily under warranty.) memtest86+ works well for that.
LG...that post is worth saving and reusing...
I keep meaning to come back to add that I followed the advice given, and it was a success. I bought the memory from Crucial in the end - I struggled for ages to push it in hard enough to get the levers to slip into place and ended up ringing my son to get him to come round and flex his thumb muscles (price, two cups of tea and a good-natured ribbing about woman-proof computers :) ), but otherwise managed to do it pretty much on my own. I'm ridiculously proud of this, but know I couldn't have done it without you all :) After son-of-mine had gone home, I took the machine upstairs and plugged it in. 'BLEEP!!!'. Oh. After a quick consultation with Google, I took the old memory out and put the new memory where that had been. Result! After that, I sent off to Crucial for another two sticks which are filling the remaining slots. Memtest gave all this a 100% pass.
There was just one more thing (free 'Columbo' impersonation!). I have an Nvidia 7300 GT graphics card in this machine - not the best of graphics cards, but it does the job. While pretending to be a domesticated person and doing some tidying up this afternoon, I found a boxed up Nvidia 7600 GT on the top of my wardrobe that I'd forgotten was there. It came out of another computer because, according to my ex, it wasn't playing nicely with the motherboard and was responsible for some problems that I was having with the machine at the time. I have no idea what it was replaced with - that machine is currently languishing in the attic due to what I seem to remember suspecting as power supply failure. There was nothing wrong with the 7600 GT though, and I'm wondering if I can do any damage by trying it in this computer.
I know myself well enough to realise I'm probably going to try this anyway, so would appreciate it if anyone could tell me if I'm courting a disaster with this idea that I am not seeing :) I might even have a look at Attic Computer after that to see if it's got the same power supply as this one - swapping it over for a minute would tell me if that was the problem. I don't know why I didn't think of that before... you may have all created a monster here :D