Adding 256 MB ram to a an existing 256 MB ram system

Lemon law

Lifer
Nov 6, 2005
20,984
3
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For many years I was in the 256 Mb is ram is enough to run windows XP camp.
So already you know I am not a gamer or someone who runs various PC intensive graphics editing programs. But this is my wife's computer anyway and she is a basic do email, do light computing, and play light non-PC intensive games on pogo type.

But by the time you aquire quite a few programs on the start up list---plus the applications necessary to prevent malware plus network software---boot time can get stretched on anything less than a modern processor and plenty of ram.

In my wifes case it was pushing over 250 seconds on a XP2400+ system and only 256 MB ram.--32 mb being shared by on board vidio and sound. And thats a cold boot from first push of computer start up button until the computer is able to dial into our isp---with system information then reporting only 40 MB free ram.

Without changing anything other than adding an extra stick 256 MB of matching PC 2100 ddr ram, her boot time is down to about 100 seconds to log into isp---free ram now shows as 190 MB, and her computer is now running better than ever before.---because every web site she visits loads much faster.---and all this for $36.04 after paying sales tax.--and paying full list price at a local computer store---bargain hunters could do better.

So I somewhat urge anyone with an older computer they plan to run until it drops---that has only 256 MB of ram and is running win xp---to not be so pig headed as I was. Win XP does indeed run MUCH better with 512 MB vs. a mere 256 MB. And anyone ordering just a win xp system should request at least 512 MB ram when ordering new.---why wait until the system is half obsolete before you upgrade???---lets see--save 150 seconds each time you boot--which for my wife is at least once per day--but call it once per day for two years---thats a mere 109,575 seconds saved.--which is over 1.25 woman days saved in that time period.

But anyone expecting their computer to later run Vista when it goes mainstream better get a gig or two of ram at least.---plus a fast vidio card costing more than most computers.
 

neutralizer

Lifer
Oct 4, 2001
11,552
1
0
I found running Windows XP even smoother with 1 GB. That's probably because I like to run a lot of applications at the same time. Now with heavy gaming, I find myself needing 2 GB.
 

jackschmittusa

Diamond Member
Apr 16, 2003
5,972
1
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It is also possible that her usage pattern does not even require 32mb of ram for the video. 16mb, and possibly 8mg would suffice. This can be changed in the bios settings.
 

Oxaqata

Senior member
Jul 14, 2006
372
0
0
I am going to buy a 1Gb of memory (DDR) to accompany the measly 256 in this computer. Currently the RAM in this is Hyundai so will buying higher quality Ram and putting it with this limit the performance of the better ram? Can anyone reccomend me a decent brand for this ram?
 

Lemon law

Lifer
Nov 6, 2005
20,984
3
0
To Oxaqata,

I certainly am no memory expert---but if the 256 MB of memory matches what the CPU and motherboard can handle---better quality ram will not be faster---even if it is capable of faster speed. But in an extreme gaming rig---higher quality ram will be capable of both extreme speed speed and reliability.---but first you have to have the motherboard and CPU to put that higher speed to work.---since its not yet established what you have---the hyundai ram you have may be the best you can do speed wise.---and even if you do have a CPU and motherboard that can use faster ram settings---as long as you keep that 256 MB of ram in---the 1 GB of ram you add will auto slow down to match the hyundai speed.

The other consideration is how many memory slots you have---many motherboards like my wife's have only two.---But if you have mis-matched ram sizes---in your case 256 MB and 1 GB---the 1 GB should be placed in slot one. But know ye this also----ddr ram is called that because the processor can read from both ram sticks in one clock cycle-----so in the case of someone building a virgin system and deciding to have 1 GB of ram---it is better to have two 512 MB modules in slots 1&2---rather than having a single 1 GB module in slot one and nothing in slot 2.

And in your case---you might be better off buying two 512 MB modules and scrapping the 256---rather than putting a GB in slot one and transferring your slot 1 256 MB module to slot 2
giving you 1.25 GB.

But since I am not really expert on ram----lets get some other opinions on that.---because at the planning stage mistaken concepts cost nothing---but once you commit money and order products you are married to your decisions.

And to Neutraliser----gotta agree that having a gig of ram would be better---but in my wifes case it might be getting to a point of diminished return---and would require a bigger investment than her computer probably would justify---but if I can find the right ram used on ebay---I could get tempted.---but for any new system----getting a gig at least shows an eye towards the future.

And to jackschmittusa----Thanks for the suggestion---but my wife is running a 21" sony multisyc crt and the existing 32 MB of shared ram barely keeps it from flickering noticeably--and in fact I was thinking of jumping shared ram to 64 MB in the bios---but she decided to leave things alone for now. But you are spot on in pointing out that is another variable to play with.
 

Ayah

Platinum Member
Jan 1, 2006
2,512
1
81
Originally posted by: Oxaqata
I am going to buy a 1Gb of memory (DDR) to accompany the measly 256 in this computer. Currently the RAM in this is Hyundai so will buying higher quality Ram and putting it with this limit the performance of the better ram? Can anyone reccomend me a decent brand for this ram?

Define higher "quality".

For example if your current rig uses PC2100, your motherboard runs on a 333MHz(PC2700) bus, and you buy a stick of DDR400(PC3200); *ALL* your memory will downclock and run at PC2100 at the loosest SPD (Probably the stick of PC2100).

It would be most helpful if I/We knew the specs of the rest of the computer in question.
 

ForumMaster

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2005
7,792
1
0
i have 768 MB ram and need more. i have a budget mobo so it only has 3 slots. they are all filled with 256 sticks that i got for $13 each on sale. and ofcourse DDR3200 ram.