Memory question

  • Thread starter Thread starter DK
  • Start date Start date
D

DK

I have 512 Mb PC2700 memory in my computer and I was given
for free another 512 Mb of PC2100 memory.

Will I be better off installing the extra slower memory or not?
This is an old machine, Sempron 2200+ and WinXP, so I am not
actually sure what is a bottleneck most of the time.

Also, I generally don't have problems with memory running low
even now. But if having the extra 512 helps... why now? Question
is, does it help?

DK
 
DK said:
I have 512 Mb PC2700 memory in my computer and I was given
for free another 512 Mb of PC2100 memory.

Will I be better off installing the extra slower memory or not?
This is an old machine, Sempron 2200+ and WinXP, so I am not
actually sure what is a bottleneck most of the time.

Also, I generally don't have problems with memory running low
even now. But if having the extra 512 helps... why now? Question
is, does it help?
Click to expand...

Answer is, it depends...

First, if the machine supports PC2100, then it can't hurt to try it. You can
always pull it back out. Depending on the Motherboard and BIOS, you may have
to set a DIP switch or jumper, or change a BIOS setting for the slower RAM.
Check your MoBo docs.

The tradeoff is slightly slower memory performance overall (the system will
slow to the PC2100 speed) for a significant decrease in PageFile activity when
you get near the 512 MB current limit. You might not even notice the slowdown,
but you WILL notice the increase in performance if any of your apps is
currently swapping to the PageFile.

In general, though, unless you do significant graphics editing or have some
other RAM-hogging app, XP tends to have a knee in the performance curve
somewhere between 512 MB and 1 GB RAM. Depending on the specifics of your
system and usage, you might not notice a significant performance increase even
if the new RAM was PC2700...
 
I have 512 Mb PC2700 memory in my computer and I was given
for free another 512 Mb of PC2100 memory.

Will I be better off installing the extra slower memory or not?
This is an old machine, Sempron 2200+ and WinXP, so I am not
actually sure what is a bottleneck most of the time.

Also, I generally don't have problems with memory running low
even now. But if having the extra 512 helps... why now? Question
is, does it help?

DK
Click to expand...

There are many factors and it all really begins with your processor
and motherboard. You need to go on the internet and look up
specifically what your mother board will handle. Some old boards will
top out at a somewhat lower number with RAM maybe 320 MB of RAM on
lets say an old Pentium 3 board where the clock speed is 500 MHz etc
etc. With the RAM topping out at 320MB it does not matter how much
more you put in it will do you no good it only takes 320MB.
Always use exactly what the specifications on the motherboard
manual says! You may be able to not do this and get away with it but
I would not recommend it. Look at the motherboard or the manual that
you got from the builder (Dell, Gateway, acer ) and get the name of
the mother board then look it up. Often the name of the Motherboard
manufacturer is right on the actual board.

Good Luck

Dave
 
There are many factors and it all really begins with your processor
and motherboard. You need to go on the internet and look up
specifically what your mother board will handle. Some old boards will
top out at a somewhat lower number with RAM maybe 320 MB of RAM on
lets say an old Pentium 3 board where the clock speed is 500 MHz etc
etc. With the RAM topping out at 320MB it does not matter how much
more you put in it will do you no good it only takes 320MB.
Always use exactly what the specifications on the motherboard
manual says!
Click to expand...

The motherboard accepts PC2100 DDR memory, that's no problem.
(It's Asus A7V400-MX).

Bottom line is, I don't have a problem with current 512 Mb PC2700
but I do have another 512 Mb of PC2100 that I can either stick
inside or simply throw away. Is it possible to find out what's better
without doing extensive benchmarking?

DK
 
DK said:
Bottom line is, I don't have a problem with current 512 Mb PC2700
but I do have another 512 Mb of PC2100 that I can either stick
inside or simply throw away. Is it possible to find out what's better
without doing extensive benchmarking?
Click to expand...

Bottom line is, benchmarks don't matter!

Put it in.

Do you like the results or not?

If not, pull it out!
 
I have 512 Mb PC2700 memory in my computer and I was given
for free another 512 Mb of PC2100 memory.

Will I be better off installing the extra slower memory or not?
This is an old machine, Sempron 2200+ and WinXP, so I am not
actually sure what is a bottleneck most of the time.

Also, I generally don't have problems with memory running low
even now. But if having the extra 512 helps... why now? Question
is, does it help?

DK
Click to expand...

Maybe. Slower memory will slow your CPU, but the extra memory will
help with opening multiple windows. Bottom line, it depends on how
the computer is used.
 
Back
Top