Advice on Memory purchase?

[Benvo]

Hey,
Im going to buy my pc another 1 tb harddrive, as ive filled my other one lol! and theres a seagate one on ebuyer for £76, i thought while ordering it i could buy some more memory for my pc.

Just had a look and ive got this memory (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/129954) and on my motherboard there is 2 other slots, should i just buy the same set again or can you get better memory for a decent price, that will go in the extra two slots.

Many thanks, any extra info needed just ask and ill reply asap. Thanks.

Benvo

[Van Nugent]

You don't need to buy the same set this time. Only make sure the RAM sticks are from trusted names such as Kingston, Corsair, Crucial, OCZ, etc. . Also, make sure it's the correct memory (DDR or DDR2, timings, speed). Avoid getting the memory with lower specs than the 1s you've already had.

[Benvo]

Rite had a browse at the memory on offer, and have seen this (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/146049). Would this be a good choice?and if i got this, when i installed it would it be good to swap these into the first slot and move my previous memory into the 2nd slots? Would i need to change ote on bout pc or will it just be plug and play type thing. Also by gettin better memory what kinda of improvements can i expect, i dont use it for gaming. But for downloading, work, 360 + wii stuff and general use. Thanks.

Benvo

[Van Nugent]

If you mix the sticks from different speeds and timings, by default the BIOS will instruct the system to run the memory at the slower speed and timing. You might have problems if you buy the OCZ's because they require 2.1V whereas the Kingston's need only 1.8. If you set the DRAM voltage at 1.8V, it'd be too little for the OCZ's and if you use 2.1V, it'd be too much for the Kingston's. :D

Try to keep the old and new sticks on separate channels if they're different in size and timings.

[Van Nugent]

These Corsair's (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/130429) are good to use with the Kingstons. They require 1.9V to run (see this (http://www.corsair.com/_datasheets/TWIN2X4096-6400C5.pdf)) so you can set the RAM voltage to 1.9V, which will be quite OK for the Kingstons.

[Benvo]

Ok so im guessing be more trouble for me if i get them then, so mite just buy the same set again to be safe, if i do what kinda results will i get, or will it be minimal for my use, as my idea of purchasing some, was for better performance. Thanks

EDIT: just seen your second post, so if i was to get them, would i need to change something in the bios to be safe.

Benvo

[Van Nugent]

Please see my post #5. That's why I always recommended to get 2x2GB instead of 2x1GB. :)

[Van Nugent]

Ok so im guessing be more trouble for me if i get them then, so mite just buy the same set again to be safe, if i do what kinda results will i get, or will it be minimal for my use, as my idea of purchasing some, was for better performance. Thanks

EDIT: just seen your second post, so if i was to get them, would i need to change something in the bios to be safe.

BenvoWe just need to make sure the DRAM voltage is set to 1.9V to please the Corsairs. The Kingstons will not complain about the 0.1V increase in voltage, I'm sure. :)

[Benvo]

ok well i guna buy that and another 1 tb harddrive to add to pc now, and when i get them and install them, i may call on you again to make sure i done it right if thats ok lol? Cheers Van!

Benvo

[Van Nugent]

ok well i guna buy that and another 1 tb harddrive to add to pc now, and when i get them and install them, i may call on you again to make sure i done it right if thats ok lol? Cheers Van!

BenvoAnytime, bud! Anytime! :D

[Benvo]

Hey, ordered my ram + hdd last nite, but when i looked in in control pan on system, it showed something like 998mb of ram, But ive got two 1 gb sticks in at the moment? Thanks.

Benvo

[Van Nugent]

Try to reseat the RAM sticks.

[Benvo]

rite got my ram today, installed it, in bios i have 5000 and something useable so i think one of my 1gig sticks must have died but in system it says 3.21 gb of ram. I have seen on the net about this being a problem in xp, would i need to upgrade operating system? if so whats vista like nowdays, as it used to be rubbish lol. Thanks.

Benvo

[Van Nugent]

A 32-bit OS such as Win 2K, XP Pro, Vista x86 can only see around 3.25 to 3.5GB max. A 64-bit is what you'll need to utilize 4GB and more. Don't upgrade the OS now. Wait till Windows 7 is officially release, which will be in late 09 or early 2010.

[Benvo]

oh rite ill leave it then, but i know i got em sat there waitin lol! thanks!

Benvo