Adding more RAM - help!

[JenkPC]

Hi, I currently have a pretty normal PC with one hardrive partioned to run win xp on 1 partition and keep all my games and media on the other.

I want to add more ram, from 2GB dual channel to adding another 4GB to make it 6GB in total. Am I right to assume that I can just slot in 2x2GB sticks into two same coloured slots in my motherboard to run dual channel, sitting next to the other two slots that house 2x1gb sticks. I understand that if the colours match and the sticks match I can get dual channel - but does it matter that there is a pair of 2gb sticks and a pair of 1gb sticks on the motherboard?

Also, its not important but because I'm cheap im buying cheap ram from America online (same spec as the ones I can buy hear in the shops in the UK for twice the price). If the specs are the same as brand name ram and im not overclocking does it actually matter?

:confused:

 

EDIT: FORGOT TO MENTION I WILL HAVE VISTA 64BIT ON ANOTHER NEW DRIVE SO I CAN ACTUALLY USE THE RAM!!!

Edited January 24, 2009 by JenkPC

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Hi Jenk

 

Welcome to FPCH

 

Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings but you can forget all about 6GB of ram in XP.

 

Here's a quote from Microsoft;

 

Windows XP Professional and Windows Server 2003 Memory Support. The maximum amount of memory that can be supported on Windows XP Professional and Windows Server 2003 is also 4 GB. However, Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition supports 32 GB of physical RAM and Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition supports 64 GB of physical RAM using the PAE feature.

The virtual address space of processes and applications is still limited to 2 GB unless the /3GB switch is used in the Boot.ini file. When the physical RAM in the system exceeds 16 GB and the /3GB switch is used, the operating system will ignore the additional RAM until the /3GB switch is removed. This is because of the increased size of the kernel required to support more Page Table Entries. The assumption is made that the administrator would rather not lose the /3GB functionality silently and automatically; therefore, this requires the administrator to explicitly change this setting.

The /3GB switch allocates 3 GB of virtual address space to an application that uses IMAGE_FILE_LARGE_ADDRESS_AWARE in the process header. This switch allows applications to address 1 GB of additional virtual address space above 2 GB.

[JenkPC]

FORGOT TO TELL YOU

 

SORRY ! I FORGOT TO STATE ONE THING WOOLFEYMOLE!

 

Ooops! Forgot to mention I am installing Vista 64 bit on another hardrive and will boot into that to take advantage of the extra RAM.

 

I know what your saying about adding more ram in XP, it won't use it. Will it simply not use it or will it reduce performance?

 

EDIT: OKAY, SO YOU KNOW FROM MY LAST POST THAT I CAN'T DUAL BOOT FROM A SEPERATE HARDRIVE ANYWAY! THIS IS GOING WELL

 

I JUST WANT TO KNOW THEN, SAY I HAD VISTA 64BIT ANYWAY, CAN I DO THE ABOVE?

Edited January 24, 2009 by JenkPC

[Guest Wolfeymole]

What flavour of Vista 64 bit would you be running?

 

Home Basic: 8GB

Home Premium: 16GB

Utimate: 128GB

Business: 128GB

Enterprise: 128GB

[JenkPC]

Home Premium

[Tootech]

2GB RAM is pretty much the standard for Vista.

 

It does make a difference with more, perhaps 3 or even 4GB at the most for a CAD system or gaming rig. It's a bit more sprightly and sharp. Others may disagree, but that's my experience.

 

Any more, is just a waste. Have a look at memory usage on a Vista system - it may use 1.3 to 1.4GB when you have alot open - for example mine with Bitdefender Internet Security, Outlook and an XP Virtual Machine running uses about 1.5GB, still plenty to go at.

 

What would you be running to get anywhere near 5 or 6 GB usage?

[JenkPC]

I just want to boost gaming performance without forking out for a new graphics card or quad core processor.

 

I currently have a dual core pentium with 2.2ghz and 2gb ram and 512mb ati x1950xt. I currently play games fine but there is flight sim x, which runs really slow and is ram reliant. I was thinking about just throwing in the extra ram to improve things without buying any new expensive components.

 

I may take your advice and just upgrade to 4GB. in that case, I know XP has a 4gb memory limit including other memory devices. So that would mean that I would be having about 4.512gb of ram (+ my graphics card). Would that cause any performance issues in when booting into 32bit XP instead of 64bit Vista? Would it simply not use it or would it actually slow it down?:confused:

[RandyL]

I don't know why it runs slow. It seems you have way more then the needed minimal specs. for flight sim x.

 

Minimum System Requirements

• Windows XP SP2 / Windows Vista
  
• Processor: 1.0 Ghz
  
• RAM: Windows XP SP2 - 256MB, Windows Vista – 512MB
  
• Hard Drive: 14GB
  
• Video Card: 32MB DirectX 9 compatible
  
• Other: DX9 hardware compatibility and audio board with speakers and/or headphones
  
• Online/Multiplayer Requirements: 56.6 kbps or better for online play
  

[Dalo Harkin]

I just want to boost gaming performance without forking out for a new graphics card or quad core processor.

 

I currently have a dual core pentium with 2.2ghz and 2gb ram and 512mb ati x1950xt. I currently play games fine but there is flight sim x, which runs really slow and is ram reliant. I was thinking about just throwing in the extra ram to improve things without buying any new expensive components.

 

I may take your advice and just upgrade to 4GB. in that case, I know XP has a 4gb memory limit including other memory devices. So that would mean that I would be having about 4.512gb of ram (+ my graphics card). Would that cause any performance issues in when booting into 32bit XP instead of 64bit Vista? Would it simply not use it or would it actually slow it down?:confused:

 

Its a CPU intensive game, adding more RAM will not help as much as you think.

You are far better reducing the quality and resolution of the game rather than spending money.