quick memory upgrade ?

[demana]

Dell dimension 2400 2.53 (533), intel 845 chipset, two ram slots.

Currently has one stick of 128mb PC2700

Are there any problems with using different kinds of memory in the two slots? I'm assuming this mb doesn't have dual channel capabilities; is that accurate?

Which of the following options would you recommend for a system with xp home, heavy MS Office use, and light gaming (all PC2700 purchased from Crucial):

add one 256mb, total 384mb, no waste
get two new 256 mb, total 512mb, wasted 128mb
get one 512mb, total 640mb, no waste (assuming mixing types is ok)

 

[demana]

anyone?

 

[biostud]

Nont self built can have all kinds weird issues. Get a 512 try it with the 128 if it works it's fine if not you can still use it alone (counting that Dell hasn't put up some hinderence). No the 845 does not have dualchannel so there's no need to go for the 2x256Mb setup

 

[nick1985]

if you get a stick of ram faster than pc-2700, it will only run at 2700 speeds since that is your slowest module.

 

[ravedave]

If you have win XP go for 512. Though 384 should be okay, though.
Heres a cool trick. open task manager go to Perfromance. look at Commit Charge. The "peak" in that box is the most that your PC has used in this session (divide by 1024 to get MB). don't logoff for a week, see what your high is. Get more than that.
I go over 512 maybe once in 3 days.


Dave

 

[demana]

thanks all, really appreciate it! Crucial guarantees the memory will work if you order it through their configurator, so it looks like 1 stick of pc2700 512mb will be the best option.