Hi all,
I own a Dell dimension 8400 with 1 GB of RAM running windows XP SP 2 and also just bought a Gateway ML6720 laptop with 1 GB of RAM running Windows Vista home premium. I believe the Dell machine as for memory slots in the Gateway 82 memory slots. I'd like to bring both these machines up to 4 GB of RAM but read this isn't possible in a machine running a 32-bit OS, I read this at http://www.crucial.com/systemscanne... It said, "How much memory your Windows OS will recognize depends on which version of Windows you are running. 32-bit versions of Windows will see (and utilize) only 3GB or 3.5GB. To utilize more memory, install a 64-bit version of your OS." My question is, can I install 2 GB in one slot and 1 GB in the other available slut to make up the 3 GB or would I have to install 2 GB of RAM in each available slot even though the OS would only recognize 3 GB? I ask because a friend of mine said that mixing RAM chip sizes really impedes the performance of a PC. Also, some chips are labeled PC2-3200 and PC2-6400 etc. I understand these denote RAM speeds? I'll be using Dragon Dictate heavily on both machines and am wondering how big a difference it would make in performance to get chips with a very high speed rating such as PC2-6400? Thanks in advance for any info you can provide!

Dan

Dan G. in CT

Crucial will also tell you how the RAM should be configured based on the number of banks and slots in each bank.

Life's more painless for the brainless.

To know what frequency your DDR-SDRAM actually runs at, simply divide by 16. For example:

PC2-3200 = 3200/16 = 200MHz frequency. If you want the DDR rating, simply double the frequency. 200MHz x 2 = DDR2-400.

PC2-6400 = 6400/16 = 400MHz frequency or DDR2-800.

You can mix & match RAM provided you're aware of the performance consequences. For example, if you mix PC2-3200 with PC2-6400, the RAM will be forced to run at the speed of the slowest...in this case, PC2-3200. This may or may not be a problem - it depends on the CPU type & FSB being used.

Also, if your board supports running memory in dual channel mode, you should configure the RAM accordingly to keep it in dual channel mode. There are very few boards that will run dual channel mode with 3 sticks of RAM installed.

You probably don't need 4gb, or even 3gb.

Ultimate Memory Guide
How Much Memory Do You Need? etc.
http://www.kingston.com/tools/umg/u...

I just purchased a 2G.B. kit of DDR2 PC5300 1G.B. each stick a 2 stick RAM kit ! I have 2 G.B. of RAM installed 4x512M.B. sticks ,however since you are suppose to install this RAM in pairs I will remove 2 sticks of the 512M.B. PC5300, and install the new RAm sticks in bank 1 and 3 ! THis will give me the total of 3 G.B. which I've been told is the most my O/S will reconize anyway WinXP SP2 MCE2005 !
Take Care Nick