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| Hardware Question; RAM Memory | |
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| Topic Started: Jul 18 2012, 04:24 AM (465 Views) | |
| Trotsky | Jul 18 2012, 04:24 AM Post #1 |
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Big City Boy
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My new computer (1 year) is a Gateway with an Intel Core i5 and a motherboard that claims to have 4 memory slots with a maximum capacity of 8 gigs RAM and 4 gigs installed. From the Gateway website
I am considering buying 4 more gigs...memory is cheap these days. A couple questions: With a 3 gigaherz precessor, will I see any difference at all between 8 gigs and 4 gigs of RAM? How can I ascertain how the current memory is installed without opening the box; does Windows 7 have an app that will tell me? (Obviously if it is 4 single gig modules the upgrade will be a pain in the ass and result in 4 useless baubles.) Assuming I have 2 two gig modules, should it be okay to add a single 4 gig module and leave one slot empty or should I go with 2 more twos? TIA Edited by Trotsky, Jul 18 2012, 04:26 AM.
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| Oldsalt | Jul 18 2012, 05:10 AM Post #2 |
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Small Star Member
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next post
Edited by Oldsalt, Jul 18 2012, 05:17 AM.
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| Oldsalt | Jul 18 2012, 05:17 AM Post #3 |
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Small Star Member
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Edited by Oldsalt, Jul 18 2012, 06:38 AM.
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| Dialtone | Jul 18 2012, 07:04 AM Post #4 |
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Gold Star Member
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Beside's Old Salt's advice, here is a good article on upgrading your RAM http://www.ghacks.net/2011/09/24/how-to-check-your-computers-ram-for-upgrade-possibilities/ As for performance enhancements of a Ram upgrade, it all depends on how you use your computer. If you have lots of data, programs, and spreadsheets open all the time, it may help. I only have 3 gig in my big computer running Vista and have never been over 2 gigs use at one time, I could add, but it won't buy me anything significant. Open your performance monitor and check your stats to see how much you are using now. Edited to say I forgot to mention, that one of the best free programs I have run across is Speccy from Piriform (the same makers as CCleaner) Speccy will tell you everything about your PC, including Ram slots, CPU, Video, Motherboard temperatures, and a bunch of neat stuff. Once you download Speccy, save the results as a Text file and you'll have all your info including Ram slots occupied and size. http://www.piriform.com/speccy Edited by Dialtone, Jul 18 2012, 07:18 AM.
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| Delphi51 | Jul 18 2012, 08:15 AM Post #5 |
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I would have said open the case! Wow, Speccy looks pretty useful - thank you. I have 1 GB and 3/4 of it is in use using a browser with Malwarebytes running in the background. Of course it is win XP so I don't need much RAM. |
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| wildie | Jul 18 2012, 10:07 AM Post #6 |
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Veteran Member
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Your motherboard manual should tell you what configuration may be used. It varies from board to board and to be explicitly correct, not knowing the requirements of your board, its hard to say! However, odds are that either one 4 gig or two, 2 gigs will work. Its likely cheaper to buy the 4 gig, rather than the two, 2 gigs! By the way, I think the Gateway computer is an Acer in disguise! :45_yes.gif: |
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| Trotsky | Jul 18 2012, 12:40 PM Post #7 |
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Big City Boy
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It even has an ACER Group Code pasted on the side. biggrin 04 biggrin 04 biggrin 04 (Motherboard manual? I wonder what THAT is? 102 . All I got was STYROFOAM. biggrin 04 biggrin 04 ******************************************** Thanks guys, All the info I can dig up says that I have 2- 2Gig RAM modules. Another wrinkle: The data I got from Tiger Direct, my vendor, said i could load a max of 16 Gigs The Gateway website for the model (DX-4860-UR31 Desktop) says max at 8 gig, I called Gateway and spoke to Mohandas Ghandi himself who consulted with Jawalharlal Nehru, and THE BUDDHA, and they all SWORE that I could load 16 gigs (and that I had 2 two's as standard equipment.) This could drive a guy nuts. Anyhoo, it looks like adding 2 x 2 modules seems safe for a total of 8 gigs: $47.99. http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=DX4860-UB32P That should be enough for ANYTHING. edit: Gosh, I checked newegg and they have 2 Corsair 2 gigs for $27.99 for the total 4 gigs. WOW. ****************************** Edited by Trotsky, Jul 18 2012, 01:01 PM.
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| wildie | Jul 18 2012, 02:26 PM Post #8 |
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Veteran Member
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Not really! I doubt it will get up and make you breakfast in the morning! bounce and jump045 |
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| Trotsky | Jul 19 2012, 05:00 AM Post #9 |
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Big City Boy
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Lucky I have a partner to make me an omelette this morning, So I ordered 2 modules Corsair DDR3 memory of 2Gigs each from Tiger Direct for $29.99 (no tax, $2 shipping) and this will give me a 4 X 2 system totalling 8 gigs. I doublt that I will ever need more than that. So after about 9 months running I'll have my first shot at blowing the dust out of the box. (Now WHERE did I put that grounded wrist strap?) Edited by Trotsky, Jul 19 2012, 09:32 AM.
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| wildie | Jul 19 2012, 09:20 AM Post #10 |
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(Now WHERE did I put that grounded wrist strap?) You don't need that! Just keep your tongue on any metal part of the case! If you put the computer in the freezer over-night, your tongue will stick to the metal and avoid an accidental disconnect. :1807.gif: |
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| Trotsky | Jul 19 2012, 09:31 AM Post #11 |
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Big City Boy
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I have heard that I must also be wet and naked on a very humid day sitting on a concrete slab that has steel reinforcing rods inside with my hands covered in Reynold's Wrap. Edited by Trotsky, Jul 19 2012, 09:33 AM.
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| wildie | Jul 19 2012, 11:56 AM Post #12 |
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Veteran Member
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Oh! Oh! That means that the secret is out! signs081 |
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| Delphi51 | Jul 19 2012, 12:07 PM Post #13 |
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I used a wrist strap deal once. I was putting 750 kb in an Apple II, which cost about $750 which would be about $4000 in today's money. Now you get 4 000 000 kb for $40. Amazing! |
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| Trotsky | Jul 20 2012, 12:42 AM Post #14 |
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Big City Boy
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And that 750Kb, IF you could buy it would cost a penny (+ shipping of $4 of course.) biggrin 04 |
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