[Confused] What RAM type do I need for my system??

[marcaaron20]

I am upgrading my RAM in my computer from 512MB to 2GB (if possible, 4G DDR2
I have the following mainboard:
ABit Fatal1ty AA8XE Intel Pentium 4 System Board (Socket 775)

I am confused cos I went into my local computer shop, just your normal non named computer services and repair shop and they said I can't put DDR2 in but the manufacturers website: h**p://www.abit.com.tw/page/en/motherboard/motherboard_detail.php?DEFTITLE=Y&fMTYPE=LGA775&pMODEL_NAME=Fatal1ty%20AA8XE
seems to say it takes DDR2 plus other websites says it does too,

can anyone help?? as once I buy anything for the computer, once opened, if not right, its hard to send back..

 

[Channel Hopper]

Take a (clear, close-up) picture of the existing RAM that you have installed, preferably out of the motherboard and post it here. The grooves in thebase, plus any labelling will allow others to confirm what you need.

 

[marcaaron20]

what I can see from looking through the side is that there are 4 slots, 2 together then a gap then another 2, also the the slots are coloured, in this order,
Black then red, then Black then red
also there is a sorta fan over the top by the name of OTES RAMFLOW,
the 512MB RAM that I currently have at the min is in the 1st slot (black slot)

Thats as far as I can see without openning the case..


The Make of the RAM I have in is by the name of Dane-Elec
I still have the case that the RAM came in, all it has on the case is;
Dane-Elec
DRAM
Memory

Hope this helps...

Thanks,
Marc

 

[Mickha]

Try the crucial memory tools, on their website, this scans your PC and tells you what memory you need, and the maximum your system can take, just search for crucial.com or check the link.
_http://www.crucial.com/uk/index.aspx

 

[Topper]

Mickha is correct let them scan and determine your requirements then there can be no tears at the end of it. Superfast service as well, I have used it a number of times for desktop and laptops

 

[Analoguesat]

Yuyp Id recommend Crucial as well - Ive used them at home and for work - always found them to have fast and efficient service.

 

[marcaaron20]

Hi, just done a scan as you have suggested, here are the results;

h**p://www.crucial.com/uk/systemscanner/viewscanbyid.aspx?id=CEAF21CA31D926C3

So, with the results, whats ideal for me to get?? I am wanting to get the max out of the system so if i can get 4GB RAM, what type, and what else do I need it to have in the spec of the RAM??, also I'll be installing Windows 7 Professional so what options do I need to select when installing (once I have the RAM that is) also, back to the RAM, do I need to alter, set anything in the bios etc when installed or does the system sort that out automatic??

Anyways, before all that, What RAM can I go for?? (remember, the maximum I can get) and what type??

Thanks,
Marc

 

[Analoguesat]

So your mobo has 512mb Ram of type DDR PC2-5200 fitted.

I dont get any recommended type pop up on that link, but if its recommended something then buy 2 or 4 Gig of that type.

If not then use the memory type finder to find DDR PC2-5200 type ram and buy whatever takes your fancy. You wont need the ultra expensive stuff unless you need every possible ounce of performance for number crunching or absolute cutting edge games.

If you just need better general performance for day to day stuff just buy the cheap stuff

 

[Channel Hopper]

Thats as far as I can see without openning the case..

So you can't be bothered to open the case, even though you want to change something inside. Nuff said

 

[marcaaron20]

So you can't be bothered to open the case, even though you want to change something inside. Nuff said

I just don't like openning the case untill I am actually doing/changing something inside

 

[marcaaron20]

So your mobo has 512mb Ram of type DDR PC2-5200 fitted.

I dont get any recommended type pop up on that link, but if its recommended something then buy 2 or 4 Gig of that type.

If not then use the memory type finder to find DDR PC2-5200 type ram and buy whatever takes your fancy. You wont need the ultra expensive stuff unless you need every possible ounce of performance for number crunching or absolute cutting edge games.

If you just need better general performance for day to day stuff just buy the cheap stuff

so, for 4GB RAM, do I buy x1 4GB DDR2 RAM, x2 2GB DDR2 RAM or x4 1GB DDR2 RAM??

 

[Topper]

You must be using a low cost uncommon mother board etc as normally the system gives you the options that your mother board and bios can accomodate and offers both configuration and price options available. I would have said 4 x 1GB would be sufficient for the life of an XP pc but you say you are going to install Win7....to me that is an unknown quantity so I cannot advise since when XP was launched MS said it would be fine with 265 and it needed 512 to just run.... and I run mine with 2GB.

 

[Llew]

so, for 4GB RAM, do I buy x1 4GB DDR2 RAM, x2 2GB DDR2 RAM or x4 1GB DDR2 RAM??

You can run 4Gb (4X1GB modules) on that board, but its chipset resource limitations may mean the system recognises less than that.

For Win 7, 2Gb in a 32 bit system will be fine, but if you have the 64 bit version, 4Gb would be better.

 

[marcaaron20]

so much for getting sorted straight away, lol, last wednesday I found out I needed my RAM upgrading for Windows 7 (i half kew that anyways), and then its took me till now to actually find out what type and size of RAM I need, still slightly unclear but getting there, was hoping to have at least ordered the RAM by now

 

[Channel Hopper]

so much for getting sorted straight away, lol, last wednesday I found out I needed my RAM upgrading for Windows 7 (i half kew that anyways), and then its took me till now to actually find out what type and size of RAM I need, still slightly unclear but getting there, was hoping to have at least ordered the RAM by now

Simply taking a picture of the RAM and posting, you could have been there by now.

 

[Topper]

Simply taking a picture of the RAM and posting, you could have been there by now.

True but that would have meant taking the side panel off

 

[marcaaron20]

The Manual and website states that it supports

Memory

* Four 240-pin DIMM sockets
* Supports Dual channel DDR2 533/400 Unbuffered Non-ECC memory
* Supports maximum memory capacity up to 4GB

So each DIMM slot will support a maximum of 1GB modules and it must be 240-pin DDR2 modules (unbuffered non-ECC memory. PC2-4200 (533MHz) or PC2-3200 (400MHz) rated frequencies.

is that right??

if so, would the following be what I should get?? (x2, if I wanted 2GB and x4 if i wanted 4GB??);

h**p://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DANE-ELEC-1GB-DDR2-PC2-4200-533-PC-MEMORY-RAM-FREE-POST_W0QQitemZ370185625585QQcmdZViewItem?rvr_id=&r vr_id=&cguid=ca65777f1230a0e203c5b5c5fe9c74c0


If so, what is best, PC2-4200 (533MHz) or PC2-3200 (400MHz) rated frequencies??

then once established if correct and which 1 to go for, I can then decide how many to order, get them ordered and whilst waiting for them to be delivered over the next few days I can get saving my files to dvd discs and get prepared to install Windows 7 Professional once I've installed the RAM.. and Bobs your uncle.., hopefully, lol

 

[Channel Hopper]

True but that would have meant taking the side panel off

I reckon its his dad's (or Uncle Bob's) PC, and he's broken it. ;)

 

[Topper]

If so, what is best, PC2-4200 (533MHz) or PC2-3200 (400MHz) rated frequencies??

What is best is replacing like for like so whatever the existing memory is, will be the one that is right for your PC unless you are planning on changing processors and clock speeds etc which I would not advise if you feel uncertain about removing the side panel.

 

[marcaaron20]

ok, I think I have it sorted now, are there any makes/manufacturers to go for and any to stay away from?? cos when it comes to performance-wise.. etc... i don't want it to fail come 3 month down the line...

e.g... Acer, Advent, Dane-Elec, Kingston etc..

also wheres the best place (online) to buy the RAM from?? I looked on that CrucialUK website and they don't seem to have the PC2-4200 (533MHz)


???