RAM help...

[RJHNY1]

Hey guys. My parents' computer has an Asus A7N8X Nvidia N-Force 2 motherboard. They currently have a Corsair 512 MB PC3200 PC 400 DDR RAM in there. They would like to upgrade the RAM.

Several questions

1. How much RAM can that mobo hold? I'm guessing it can go to 2 GB of RAM?

2. Which RAM out there is compatible? Like when I'm looking at RAM, how do I know if it will be compatible with this mobo?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Blain]

Here you go cowboy

 

[RJHNY1]

Thanks...so 3 GB. But what about knowing which RAM sticks are compatible?

 

[Denithor]

What are they doing with it?

If just general uses, drop in another 512MB DDR-400 stick and see how that goes. You can probably pick up cheap at eBay or the FS/FT forums here. 1GB will probably be adequate if they're using WinXP on an old system mostly for surfing/email/etc.

I wouldn't spend more than $20-30 on a memory upgrade though, however much you decide to buy. Keep in mind this is an old Socket A system, single core. You can gut it and replace with much much faster parts for not too much cash, like this.

X2 4850e (2.6GHz, 45W) $58.50
Biostar A780G M2+ SE $50AR
Crucial 2x1GB DDR2 kit $18
Coolmax 380W PSU $30AR

 

[RJHNY1]

The parts of the computer is fine. It's plenty fast. Just need a boost in RAM. I agree with the price, but I would like to get 2 GB of RAM in there.

 

[Blain]

Buy two of these

 

[Denithor]

Corsair 2x1GB DDR-400 $35AR

Go get it.

EDIT: Mine's cheaper. :laugh:

 

[Quiksilver]

Originally posted by: Denithor
Coolmax 380W PSU $30AR

You were doing good until this. Good way to kill a machine with a POS unit.

Antec Basiq would be cheaper and a better choice.

Crucial 2x1GB DDR2 kit $18

Then this, I don't know about you but considering in the past month I've seen at least 6 or 7 threads about their crucial ram dying, I wouldn't use it.

Originally posted by: Denithor
Crucial 2x1GB DDR-400 $35AR

Go get it.

EDIT: Mine's cheaper. :laugh:

Those are Corsair Value Select

 

[RJHNY1]

Thanks guys, but I don't think I can get DDR 2 RAM...just DDR, right?

 

[Quiksilver]

Just normal DDR.

 

[RJHNY1]

Thanks...

I want to scour around for a deal though. When I do that, how can I ensure I get the correct RAM? One that's compatible?

 

[Quiksilver]

2GB of DDR-400.
(Sames I'm pretty sure maxing it out with 3x 1G sticks would force single channel mode.)

 

[Denithor]

Originally posted by: Quiksilver

Originally posted by: Denithor
Coolmax 380W PSU $30AR

You were doing good until this. Good way to kill a machine with a POS unit.

Antec Basiq would be cheaper and a better choice.

True. Even though for low power systems a cheapy often works just fine. 350W Antec Basiq $20 + shipping

Crucial 2x1GB DDR2 kit $18

Then this, I don't know about you but considering in the past month I've seen at least 6 or 7 threads about their crucial ram dying, I wouldn't use it.

All of those threads on Crucial memory dying are refering to their "high performance" Ballistix sticks that require 2.2V for proper operation. Not this mainstream 1.8V stuff, which will be fine.

Originally posted by: Denithor
Crucial 2x1GB DDR-400 $35AR

Go get it.

EDIT: Mine's cheaper. :laugh:

Those are Corsair Value Select

[/quote]

Name fixed above.

 

[RallyMaster]

I agree with the Corsair VS 2GB kit up thar.

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: Denithor
Corsair 2x1GB DDR-400 $35AR

Go get it.

That's a tough pill to swallow if the rebate falls through for one reason or another.