PDA

View Full Version : Misc Upgrading Computer RAM....


imbosile
01-16-2006, 10:41 PM
ok, so right now i have 2 sticks of 512mb...(bear with me, i am going to explain this as simple as i can)...i have 4 slots for ram, right now 2 are taken up. the slots sit like this: Slots 1 and 2 are right next to each other, then about an inch away, slots 3 and 4 are right next to each other. as of right now, the 2 sticks of 512 are in slots 1, and 3. what would happen if i move the one in slot 3, to slot 2, so that now both sticks of 512 are directly next to each other (is this what dual channel is?????). the computer has to be good for gaming, is there any characteristics that make ram good for gaming? also what ram would you recomend, i want 2 more sticks of 512mb. Right now I am looking at these...any HELP at all is greatly appreciated. thanks

1.) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146883

2.) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146896

EDIT: I JUST POSTED SOME PICTURES OF WHAT IM TALKING ABOUT, I DONT REALLY KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR ON THE MOTHER BOARD TO SEE HOW MUCH RAM IT CAN HANDLE, SO PLEASE HELP ME OUT.
Nismo
01-17-2006, 02:24 PM
It doesnt matter where the ram is on the motherboard, which channels they are in. For the best performance though, get 1 gig sticks, not 2 512's.
HyPer50
01-17-2006, 03:31 PM
It doesnt matter where the ram is on the motherboard, which channels they are in. For the best performance though, get 1 gig sticks, not 2 512's.

Wow really? I've heard the exact opposite
green91
01-17-2006, 04:02 PM
Are all 4 slots the same color? Sometimes mobos will support 2 different types of ram.. and you cant mix them
imbosile
01-17-2006, 04:08 PM
Are all 4 slots the same color? Sometimes mobos will support 2 different types of ram.. and you cant mix them

thanks for the replies guys....


ummm.... two are black and two are white, i just assumed that that was for the dual channeling. someone told me that the pairs of colors are used for dual channel when you put them in. so i guess thats why gateway has the 2 512's in slots 1 and 3, which are both the same color.
green91
01-17-2006, 05:09 PM
id find the manual for your mobo and verify that all 4 of them are the same type ram socket.. if they are, i wouldnt be afraid to run 2 more 512 sticks. its a very minimal difference between 2x512 or 1x1024
imbosile
01-17-2006, 06:44 PM
id find the manual for your mobo and verify that all 4 of them are the same type ram socket.. if they are, i wouldnt be afraid to run 2 more 512 sticks. its a very minimal difference between 2x512 or 1x1024

ok thank you, ill look into that.
Deaf Pimp
01-17-2006, 07:10 PM
Basically you have a motherboard that allows you to run dual-channel memory. This allows for better speed. The reason your sticks are seperate now is so they can run dual-channel and they run faster. Just stick your 512's in the remaining slots.
imbosile
01-17-2006, 07:47 PM
Basically you have a motherboard that allows you to run dual-channel memory. This allows for better speed. The reason your sticks are seperate now is so they can run dual-channel and they run faster. Just stick your 512's in the remaining slots.

so the two 512s just go in the remaining slots, and i will be good to go, right?

thanks for your help man.
Nismo
01-17-2006, 07:52 PM
Why not get 2 1 gig sticks and bump it up to 3 gigs of ram?
imbosile
01-17-2006, 07:54 PM
Why not get 2 1 gig sticks and bump it up to 3 gigs of ram?

yea i was thinking about that, but it might be an overkill. plus it just gets more expensive. i thought about it though, it would be badass.
civic95
01-18-2006, 08:01 AM
Why not get 2 1 gig sticks and bump it up to 3 gigs of ram?

Some motherboards will only support up to 1GB of RAM. I would check the specs on the motherboard before you buy more than it can handle.
Nismo
01-18-2006, 05:56 PM
If its got 4 slots, im 95% sure it can take it.
imbosile
01-18-2006, 06:28 PM
Some motherboards will only support up to 1GB of RAM. I would check the specs on the motherboard before you buy more than it can handle.

ok thanks, im not really sure, how to check for that but i am gonna put up some pictures, if you can notice anything just let me know. thanks
threehundred
01-18-2006, 11:52 PM
listen to civic95's advice. Go to gateway's website and look up your serial number. Find out the specs on the motherboard before you buy more ram, especially if you're thinking about going to 3gigs
ReCkLe5s
01-21-2006, 10:33 PM
ok well guys ....let me straighten this one out the colored thing is for dual channel ram if the ram slots were for diffrent type of ram it would be totally off set... not right next to each other.. one set should be on the whites and another set on the blacks......
imbosile
01-22-2006, 06:57 PM
ok well guys ....let me straighten this one out the colored thing is for dual channel ram if the ram slots were for diffrent type of ram it would be totally off set... not right next to each other.. one set should be on the whites and another set on the blacks......

ok thank you, that makes everything clear, +1.