Upgrading Memory - 1gb or 2gb?

[onemorepromethean]

Hi there.

Basically, I'm hoping to upgrade the memory on my system, but need some help deciding what sort/size I can get. It currently stands at 1gb (2x512mb).

The manual for my motherboard says I have a -

Intel 915G/915P/915GV Chipset.

It also says it supports:

2 DDR slots and 2 DDR II slots.
DDR 333/400 SDRAM memory type.
DDRII400/DDRII533
Dual Channel DDR/DDRII 128-bit Wide Memory Interface.
128mb, 256mb, 512mb technologies implemented as x8, x16 devices.
Non-ECC memory only.
DIMM size from 64 Mbytes to 2Gbyte.


I've just tried the Crucial.com system scan and it said:

512 MB DDR PC2-4300
512 MB
EMPTY
EMPTY

* Maximum Memory Capacity: 4194304 MB
* Currently Installed Memory: 1024 MB
* Available Memory Slots: 2
* Number of Banks: 4
* Dual Channel Support: N.A.

It also said they didn't sell any memory compatible with my system.
So, maybe this is my lack of technical expertise showing, but its left me a bit confused. Ideally I'd like to get one 2gb card, so I can later upgrade to 2x2gb. If not, then I'd go for 2x1gb cards.

Could anyone please help by telling me what I should be shopping for?

Cheers very much!

 

[b1gapl]

I would suggest you sell your current RAM, and get the 2 x 1GB G. Skill DDR2-800 NQs.

 

[onemorepromethean]

Thanks for the reply, b1gapl. Those memory sticks look good.

You'd no doubt know better than me, but the motherboard's manual gave me the impression my system couldn't take 800mhz memory? How do you tell?

 

[b1gapl]

Even though it says, it doesn't support up to that speed of RAM, those sticks will just downclock to DDR2-533 speeds.

If not, you can just go with these:
Newegg.com - CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

 

[onemorepromethean]

Cool, thanks a lot for your help.

Few more quick questions.

a) Would a downclocked 800mhz stick running at 533 be any different to a normal 533mhz one?
b) Is it possible for my system to run 2x2gb DDR2 533mhz things?
c) Would any more than 2gb DDR2 ram be appropriate for a 3ghz Pentium with an ATI Radeon x550 256mb?

 

[b1gapl]

A. No
B. I think so.
C. 2GB is more than enough for general use, and gaming. 4GB of RAM is not needed unless you're into CAD, graphic design, or video editing.

 

[phucng_10]

2GB would be enough for general computing purposes.

 

[krazyq]

hey, i got the corsair valueselect 2 X 512 ram.
I bought it for 75 bucks on newegg about 3 months ago.
I dont need it and ill sell it to you for 35 shipped if you want.
Im surprised how much lower the prices got since i got it.

 

[Vaanish]

a) Would a downclocked 800mhz stick running at 533 be any different to a normal 533mhz one?

No, but you could get some pretty impressive timings compared to stock 533MHz parts, though.