256MB ram 1 stick or 2 128MB sticks?!

[JoPalm]

If my board max's out at, lets say, 256MB and it says 2 x 128 (on HP's website), does that mean i can only use 2 128MB sticks to get a total of 256 or can i also use 1 stick of 256. The board only has 2 dimm slots btw.

thinking bout getting some more ram since prices are heading back up, from what i've seen at local shops.

Thx

 

[Changlinn]

You can use any combinations of size one 256 and one 128, whatever. so if it is maxed out take ou one of the 128mb chips and put in 256, remeber the 256 chip should be in slot numbered 1. Of course due to the fact that it is a hp you may need to get proprietry hp ram...

 

[JoPalm]

Thx!
wasn't sure if the 2x 128 meant that i could only use 2 sticks to get 256. one stick of 256 imo is better because later on i can use it in newer comp, (when that day comes), and not waste as many slots .

 

[FluxCapacitor]

I'm afraid I have to disagree with Changlinn here. 2 x 128 does NOT mean you can use any combination of 128 or 256MB DIMMs. Check your manual to see if it tells you what size memory sticks you can use. My opinion is that if your board maxes out at 256MB, 2 x 128MB DIMMs are going to be largest you can go. If you tell me the model of your HP, I will check their webpage and verify.

 

[Vincent]

Some motherboards don't support 256MB DIMMs. Look at your motherboard's documentation or call HP's technical support line.

 

[Soybomb]

I've heard you might have better memory interleaving performance with 2 sticks vs. 1 but that source is questionable, but its worth looking into

 

[LXi]

I would get 2 sticks, more flexible.

 

[rbV5]

I vote for 2 sticks as well, If 1 goes bad, your still in buisness.

 

[JoPalm]

It's an HP 8560c Flux.

That would kind of suck if I could only do 2x 128 because later on I'd have 2 slots taken up in a new mobo with only 256 when i could have one taken up with 256 . Most mobo's today usually have 3 with max of 1.5GB but I'll have 2 slots taken up with 256...that's the only part that sucks..damn!
If I bought 2 sticks of 128 at a local store, you think i could trade it in for 1 stick of 256 later on?!

 

[Cyberclix]

A lot of memory sellers of 256Mb chips say "not compatible with HP". I would go 2 x 128.

 

[bozack]

in a similar situation, just ordered 2 128mb sticks because I didn't want to risk my aging bh6 and incompatibility.

2 x 128 means 2 128mb sticks

got to crucials web site and they have a chart on what is and isn't compatible with your mobo

 

[JoPalm]

^

 

[MGMorden]

I seriously doubt a store would let you later trade 2 sticks of 128 for 1 256. Besides memory isn't too expensive right now at all, and even if yoiu do have 2 sticks, just be sure to get your next mobo w/ three slots. That way 2 128's plus another cheap 256 and you'll have 512mb. By the time you need more than that you're not going to want to use PC100/133 SDRAM anyways.

 

[JoPalm]

^

 

[FluxCapacitor]

Jo,

Sorry about not getting back with you sooner. I checked HPs website using the model number you gave me. According to the information present on their site, your motherboard supports a maximum of 256MB RAM (2 x 128MB) using 16, 32, 64, or 128MB DIMMs.

That means you're going to have to go with two 128MB sticks if you want 256MB total RAM. A 256MB DIMM isn't going to work for you. Sorry.

I wouldn't worry too much about being limited to 512MB because of filling up 2 of 3 DIMM slots with 128MB sticks. PC133 RAM is really cheap right now, and you can probably find someone willing to buy your old RAM if you ever need more.

 

[cavingjan]

Unless you are looking for an upgrade soon, I wouldn't worry about any future problems with taking up too many slots as DDR or RIMMs will be the standard and you'll have to buy more memory anyway. And if you do get another motherboard that will use your 128 sticks, there is still one more slot open to bring you up to 512 without any problems and you shouldn't need much more than that. Just some thoughts. Besides, the last memory I ordered, it was cheaper to get two sticks of 128 than 1 stick of 256.

 

[Smoke24]

I vote for the two 128's also. It will allow slightly faster memory access and as stated above, with DDR and Rambus comming on, you won't likely be able to use it in future machines anyway.

 

[ahfung]

If you going to overclock your memory, 1 256MB stick will give you much less headache.

If you don't intend to oc, then it is all about the expandibility.

 

[JoPalm]

Thx all of you! Now I know what to get when I go to the store , probably pick some up on wednesday.

Flux: You work night shifts or something?! Thx for the help to btw