• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Help a noob put more RAM in his Dimension 8400

B

Blastomyces

Banned
I got a new new DIimension 8400 a couple weeks ago which came with 2 256MB sticks 400Mz of DDR2 RAM. They occupy the two white ram ports on my motherboard, I have two black ones open. Im not planning overclocking or anything, but I wanted to know if I needed to buy two sticks of equivalent RAM to place in the open slots, or if I could just stick any 400Mhz DDR2 RAM in there and if it would work, thanks.
 
Get branded RAM, sometimes, there can be problems with too many sticks of RAM in the slots.
It may be better to buy 2 new 512MB sticks, and take out the old 256MB, or, if you are feeling flush, 2 1gig sticks, or even 1 should clear the cobwebs.,,,,,,
 
Thanks, how about if I just stick one stick of RAM into one of the open slots? DOes it have to match the others in terms of speed/size or can I put whatever I want in there? I heard that for DDR 2, you need to have two identical pieces of RAM to take advantage but I wanted to cofirm/deny this before I made a purchase. Thanks again.
 
I would try and stick with the same type of ram you have in there. To add newer faster ram to the older doesn't really help you. It will operate at the lowest common denominator. All the mobos I have worked iwth don't adjust for each specific stick of ram. I am not sure about DDR2 and the two sticks. If you want to run dual channel, you need to have a matched pair, that is for sure, which means that to fill the last slot (if you only put in 1), you will have to have a matched pair. I would buy in matched pairs regardless, it is just easier that way.
 
there isnt a major difference with dual channel - though waldo is right about using matched pairs.

If you were thinking of using one odd stick, check your mobo manual to check what you can do
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top