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Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Shackeng on 04 September 2010, 21:05:27

Title: RAM upgrade
Post by: Shackeng on 04 September 2010, 21:05:27

Just got 2GB RAM to upgrade my Dell Dimension 8300 from 512Mb. I was hoping to add the 2Gb (2 x 1Gb) and still use the 2 x 256 cards, however the machine doesn't like to run them together. Initially I loaded the 2Gb into slots 1 & 2, and moved the 2 x 256Mb to 3 & 4 (they were in 1 & 3). On restart the computer could only 'see' 512Mb. I then reloaded the 2Gb into 1 & 3, and the 512Mb into slots 2 & 4. This time it would not restart but squawked in protest. I then removed the 512Mb, it starts up fine now with 2Gb RAM. I can only assume that because they are different makes they are incompatible.
Can anyone shed further light  on this problem? :-/

Title: Re: RAM upgrade
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 04 September 2010, 21:12:53

Dead easy.

PC's prefer matched ram modules, if mixed they run at the slowest speed/performance of what is fitted.

2 x 1g and 2 x 256 I would dump the 256's

Title: Re: RAM upgrade
Post by: BigAl on 04 September 2010, 23:21:43

try the 1GB modules in slot 1 & 3 and the 256MB in slots 2 & 4

Title: Re: RAM upgrade
Post by: Welung666 on 04 September 2010, 23:23:20

Quote

try the 1GB modules in slot 1 & 3 and the 256MB in slots 2 & 4

That is the normal match pattern. 1 & 3 are primary for each so try it that way first :y

Title: Re: RAM upgrade
Post by: davethediver on 04 September 2010, 23:24:14

Quote

Just got 2GB RAM to upgrade my Dell Dimension 8300 from 512Mb. I was hoping to add the 2Gb (2 x 1Gb) and still use the 2 x 256 cards, however the machine doesn't like to run them together. Initially I loaded the 2Gb into slots 1 & 2, and moved the 2 x 256Mb to 3 & 4 (they were in 1 & 3). On restart the computer could only 'see' 512Mb. I then reloaded the 2Gb into 1 & 3, and the 512Mb into slots 2 & 4. This time it would not restart but squawked in protest. I then removed the 512Mb, it starts up fine now with 2Gb RAM. I can only assume that because they are different makes they are incompatible.
Can anyone shed further light  on this problem? :-/

Think the OP tried that ;)

Title: Re: RAM upgrade
Post by: BigAl on 04 September 2010, 23:32:14

Oops missed that sentence :-[
In that case make a note of the specs of both type of memory chips and compare them on-line to see if they are compatible, e.g latency, timings etc, you may be lucky and be able to tweak the BIOS to allow both types 

Title: Re: RAM upgrade
Post by: zvi on 04 September 2010, 23:37:38

are they all the same speed? it's better to put the slow one's first.
put back the 2x256 to 1 & 3
and add the 2 x 1G to 2 & 4

Title: Re: RAM upgrade
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 05 September 2010, 00:43:21

Just leave the 2 x 1gb in the 256's will never match thier performance and hence where your problems are,

Title: Re: RAM upgrade
Post by: Shackeng on 05 September 2010, 21:04:15

Quote

are they all the same speed? it's better to put the slow one's first.
put back the 2x256 to 1 & 3
and add the 2 x 1G to 2 & 4

Also tried that, I'll look at Bigals suggestion.

Thanks for that guys. :y :y :y

Title: Re: RAM upgrade
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 05 September 2010, 21:11:29

rare mobos allow you to use different speed ram modules.. and if you are lucky some of them work at the slowest speed rating as Skruntie stated..

try using same size and speed..

Title: Re: RAM upgrade
Post by: Shackeng on 05 September 2010, 22:42:05

Quote

rare mobos allow you to use different speed ram modules.. and if you are lucky some of them work at the slowest speed rating as Skruntie stated..

try using same size and speed..

 :-?