Do you know how computer ram memory upgrades work?
I want to upgrade or add memory to my computer to help with the ease of operation. My computer says it was built with three slots of memory at 256mb. It has two chip sets installed right now equaling 512b of ram. When I log into gateway's website, obviously now you know it's a gateway running windows xp home, and enter the serial number for information on my system, it says that the maximum amount of ram that can be installed is 1536mb sdram, pc133. It also says that the memory I need is 256mb pc133 hd sdram. If there are already two of these installed at 256mb each equaling 512mb, how do I achieve a higher memory of say 1000 mb? Is it even possible? Would that mean I would have to remove the two 256mb memories and install 3 512's? Will that work? By the way, I am considering this memory upgrade in an attempt to eliminate a computer problem I am having where my pc freezes up randomly. see my other questions posted on here in my profile.
Comments
We need to know the model # to be more specific
Also, what OS is important to know. And what problem you're trying to solve and why you think RAM is the solution. You could be wasting your $$ on that computer.
And which OS (I know I said that already) since, after adding RAM, you usually want to increase swap space to "match" (don't ask me, I didn't develop the OSes, I just follow the recommendations which actually work).
Often, you get to eBay the RAM you have when you upgrade. This is usually because it's cheaper for the mfgr to use more, smaller RAM chips to meet the shipping objective (512 in your case) than the smaller # of larger chips.
Bad for the consumer who wants to upgrade, but good for the initial selling price of the machine.
Something in your question is not accurate.
Either it has only 3 slots, or each slot takes 256MB max, or the max memory is not 1536. One of these statements is inaccurate.
It's possible all three slots can take a 512MB stick. *** this is the most likely given the information you have provided. This doesn't mean it's an accurate solution.
Perhaps your machine has 4 RAM slots (I'm guessing), and that you would add two more 512MB sticks to the open slots to take you to the # required.
Or the 3rd RAM slot will take 1GB (1024MB + existing 512MB = 1536MB, or 1.5GB).
Or it has 8 slots...
For more detail on why this isn't straightforward to answer, read the below. Prepare to be a bit more confused.
In many cases, RAM cannot be added to a single RAM slot, so you may not be able to add three 512MB sticks of RAM.
Some computers limit how much a addressable, for instance, in the middle of last year, I worked on a Lenovo (nee IBM) that allowed you to install 4GB, but it would only address slightly over 3GB, thereby wasting the rest of the RAM that was installed (the explanation is technical, and while accurate, does still smack of misinformation since we bought the machines to address 4GB, not just be able to install 4GB).
Some computers want 2 chips at a time (each slot being 16 bits of addressable space, with the requirement being the ability to address 32 bits). Other computers have each slot addressable as 32 bits. Older ones were 8 bit each, requiring 4 sticks of RAM at a time.
Some computers can take RAM 1 slot at a time (each being 32 bits). THis would explain how you can have 3 slots.
You could add one 512mb pc133 sdram memory module to take your total RAM to 1024mb. Or, remove the two 256mb modules and install three 512mb modules for 1536mb total. Try the Crucial memory site - they have a good routine to help you select new memory modules for your pc - you can buy there or shop around from other vendors. The random freezes are troubling - more RAM will likely improve pc performance with some apps but may have no effect on freeze-ups. I wouldn't count on more RAM as the cure for this problem.
It's too simplistic to say yes or no. No, it won't make internet go faster, no matter what the previous poster said. Well, not normally. See below: What happens depends on what the limiting factor in your system is. Some programs want more memory, and have to use the hard disk as a backup for the RAM. For those programs, extra RAM will make your computer much faster. If you have many programs all competing for a limited amount of memory, having more memory lets them work without competition, and they'll be faster. Some programs, however, rely more on computing power or on graphics power. Those programs aren't limited by RAM, so extra RAM doesn't make them go any faster.
first of all - what memory sticks are in each slot?
example:
slot 1 - 256 mb
slot 2 - 256 mb
slot 3 - nothing
you should be able to add more memory
*make note* - when using a memory stick that is higher in mb / gb than what is in there already that they need to decend from highest to lowest number (from slot 1 to slot 3 - or how ever many slots there are)
if you don't use the highest number first - the pc won't recognize the added memory stick
so it would look like the following:
slot 1 - 1 gb
slot 2 - 256 mb
slot 3 - 256 mb
or you can install a 512 mb memory stick into each slot
slot 1 - 512 mb
slot 2 - 512 mb
slot 3 - 512 mb
or
slot 1 - 1 gb mb
slot 2 - 512 mb
slot 3 - nothing
good luck
Firstly, PC133 ram is old technology. Seriously.
Secondly, if you have 2*256MB sticks, but you want to max it out then you either buy a single 512MB stick (to take it to 1024MB) or you buy 3 * 512MB sticks to give the 1536MB max.
Either way, you'd be better off spending money on a new motherboard/processor/ram upgrade.
you have 3 ram slots, but six ram banks. 1 slot=2 banks.
your computer can take 256 per bank, 512 per slot.
hd is high density.
if you want to max out your ram, you need to take out your old ram and replace it with 512 meg dimms.
of course you can keep your old 256 meg dimms and just add one 512 meg dimm to the open third slot for a gig of ram.