Help me upgrade the memory modules for my computer [SOLVED]
October 28th, 2013
The current memory specs according to AIDA64 are:
Module Name Hynix HYMP512U64CP8-S6
Module Size 1 GB (2 ranks, 4 banks)
Module Type Unbuffered DIMM
Memory Type DDR2 SDRAM
Memory Speed DDR2-800 (400 MHz)
Module Width 64 bit
Module Voltage SSTL 1.8
Error Detection Method None
Refresh Rate Reduced (7.8 us), Self-Refresh
Analysis Probe Not Present
FET Switch External Disabled
Weak Driver Supported
I want to upgrade to four 2 GB memory modules. Or is it worth upgrading to 4 GB each? Can my PC handle that much? I don’t want no Blue Screens.
What specific type and brand to buy?
Any advice appreciated, Thank You.
What motherboard have you got ?
Are you using 32 or 64 bit Windows ?
Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
Motherboard Properties
Motherboard ID <DMI>
Motherboard Name Dell XPS 420
Front Side Bus Properties
Bus Type Intel AGTL+
Bus Width 64-bit
Real Clock 267 MHz (QDR)
Effective Clock 1067 MHz
Bandwidth 8533 MB/s
Chipset Bus Properties
Bus Type Intel Direct Media Interface
I may be wrong, but I think the fastest RAM it will support is 8GB max DDR2-800 – will check in more detail, a little occupied at the mo – hopefully someone else can help in the meantime
*edit – yup I was right
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/xps420/en/OM/HTML/appendix.htm
Depends on if you want to go with something generic, or basic Kingston (which is what I would get for a system that is only worth £200 and not really upgradeable), or like Corsair (TWIN2X4096-6400C5C) with the heatsinks on (obviously more).
DDR2 is expensive…
@ gilly
Glad you pointed that out, Thank You. So four 2 GB memory modules it is. It should be good enough.
Any recommendation on a brand? I want quality.
@OP what are you wanting the extra ram to achieve?
It’s probably going to make hardly any difference to your computer and waste your cash if it’s for normal use.
What exactly are you going to use the additional RAM for?
Oh, and Corsair and Kingston are both decent brands, but DDR2 will be dirt cheap nowdays regardless of brand.
@ jock_juffalo
@ Wise-San
I use my computer for creating graphics, mixing music, video editing, and desktop publishing among other things. Sometimes when I have multiple open apps running at the same time, my PC slows down or when I use apps that use a lot of memory, the PC used memory shoots up to around 75% slowing everything down to a crawl. I was hoping that an extra 4 GB of memory would improve things.
LedAstray replied: @ gilly
Glad you pointed that out, Thank You.
No problems
LedAstray replied:
Any recommendation on a brand? I want quality.
I can’t really see the extra 4GB of RAM making all that much difference in your system IMO. Personally if I did upgrade, I would just go with Kingston or similar, possibly even something like this, which would come to £64 for 4 sticks
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2G-2GB-PC2-6400-DDR2-800-Mhz-240-PIN-NON-ECC-RAM-MEMORY-/290424998619
To be honest, for the investment, you would be far better off selling that system and building something better.
*Edit – or investing in a SSD or hybrid hard drive (when the prices drop again) rather than this RAM.
OK, I think I’ll try out the extra 4GB and go with Kingston. I’ll buy it at Best Buy, they got a 15 day return on all electronics. If I see it doesn’t make much of a difference on my PC, I’ll return it and save the cash for a new system. No risk.
Thank You gilly, you gave me the info I needed, appreciate your help.
Try crucial.com scan to see what ram to get for your system.
LedAstray replied: OK, I think I'll try out the extra 4GB and go with Kingston. I'll buy it at Best Buy, they got a 15 day return on all electronics. If I see it doesn't make much of a difference on my PC, I'll return it and save the cash for a new system. No risk.
Thank You gilly, you gave me the info I needed, appreciate your help.
No problems, you’re welcome – best of luck
gulbash replied: Try crucial.com scan to see what ram to get for your system.
Crucial will only recognise his system capable of 4 GB max – I have encountered this issue before with an XPS 420.