Cheapest RAM to buy for this PC?

[alegator]

I have a 2nd PC with this MOBO:

http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p_spec.asp?model=PM8M2-V&class=mb

I currently have 512MB of RAM installed, but would like to upgrade the RAM to say 1Gb total (is that the bare minimum for increasing performance?)
I want to spend the least money on this PC since it's an oldie, but recognize that the current 512MB makes it slow (plus too much hard drive activity).
I'm confused as to the types of RAM modules, eventhough the MOBO specs detail the compatible RAM types.
So how should I order the cheapest 512MB module (or maybe use a single 1GB?) for this MOBO? DIMM or DDR? If DDR what type? 333 or 400?
Thanks.

[wtsinnc]

You didn't state whether your current installed 512mb of memory is one or two modules.

Your motherboard has only two DIMMs, so if you are currently using both and want to upgrade, you should replace both with 512mb or 1gb modules.

The module(s) you currently have will identify what you need, but I suspect it is 184 pin DDR 400 (PC 3200).

[rallynavvie]

The module(s) you currently have will identify what you need, but I suspect it is 184 pin DDR 400 (PC 3200).

In which case that memory is absurdly cheap anyway. Another 512MB stick could probably be found on eBay for a few bucks if you're really cheap, otherwise NewEgg has plenty new for around $20 USD. Almost any PC store should still have sticks of PC3200 and I would hope they are selling for about the same as NewEgg since that memory has been dated for a few years now.

[Bjs]

It will depend on currently install cpu and os being used... match memory front side buss for cpu specs... little point in purchasing 400mhz if its running 333mhz

512 for basic running slow means time for cleanup ... registries become bloated which is main cause of system performance degradation and software products with higher end system requirements should not be installed unless no other system is available ... or just put up with their slow operation.

A genuine p4 may do well with 1 gig but I doubt you'll achieve any real performance gains.

[bevills1]

FYI your mobo link doesn't work, but according to http://www.ciao.com/MSI_MBOX_PM8M2_V_no_CPU__10131846 you need PC3200 memory for that mobo. You can likely find if for less on eBay. I found 512MB PC133 RAM I needed for an older system for $8.20 with free shipping and life time warranty on eBay.

[alegator]

... match memory front side buss for cpu specs... little point in purchasing 400mhz if its running 333mhz.

How can I check that? The Main Circuit Board section of the Belarc profile reports a Bus Clock of 133 megahertz

[wtsinnc]

I believe you are reading the CPU clock speed.

According to MSI (as well as other sources), you need DDR 400 PC 3200 RAM.

[classfour]

I normally use oempcworld.com - - - google it. Very HelpFull!

[bevills1]

Just find your mobo at sites like the one in my May 29 post, and it should tell you the correct memory which is PC3200 for this mobo. I gave the direct link in the May 29 post, but the search page where you enter description of your system was like the one at http://www.crucial.com/?cpe=pd_google_us&gclid=CIfru-Hw5poCFRMhnAodGnZnBw&ef_id=1705:3...20090531153438 which is another example. Many memory sellers have similar pages to find correct memory.

[MOVIEGEEK]

Use CPU-Z to check system specs:
http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

SIW will tell you how much RAM your MoBo supports:
http://www.gtopala.com/

[INFRATOM]

This MB or computer is obsolete in IMHO does not worth buying anything for. It takes DDR 400 type of RAM but I only justify the upgrade of these computers if you find a computer destined for junk and takes part out of it. The only way you see noticeable performance out of this age computer is to boost the CPU or create a RAID otherwise you would not see much performance with added RAM. One easy option is to run Ubuntu on it will become 10% faster without spending money.

[rallynavvie]

This MB or computer is obsolete in IMHO does not worth buying anything for. It takes DDR 400 type of RAM but I only justify the upgrade of these computers if you find a computer destined for junk and takes part out of it. The only way you see noticeable performance out of this age computer is to boost the CPU or create a RAID otherwise you would not see much performance with added RAM.

Actually that system would probably benefit from memory just as much as CPU or HDDs. And there isn't a need to throw that system away. I use an old Athlon MP system for a file server and one of my old DH800s (which uses PC3200) for SQL and they still run fine for what they do and prevent me from having to buy 2-3 more systems in addition to my current workstation to fill those roles.

And since the OP didn't mention their CPU type or their HDD configuration how do you know they don't already have those components upgraded?

[alegator]

This MB or computer is obsolete in IMHO does not worth buying anything for. It takes DDR 400 type of RAM but I only justify the upgrade of these computers if you find a computer destined for junk and takes part out of it. The only way you see noticeable performance out of this age computer is to boost the CPU or create a RAID otherwise you would not see much performance with added RAM.

Actually that system would probably benefit from memory just as much as CPU or HDDs. And there isn't a need to throw that system away. I use an old Athlon MP system for a file server and one of my old DH800s (which uses PC3200) for SQL and they still run fine for what they do and prevent me from having to buy 2-3 more systems in addition to my current workstation to fill those roles.

And since the OP didn't mention their CPU type or their HDD configuration how do you know they don't already have those components upgraded?

The CPU info is:
<<< Processor >>>

> Processor : Intel Pentium 4 506J

>> General Information
Type : Intel Pentium 4
Internal Specification : Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.66GHz
Model Number : 506J
Codename : Prescott
Revision : E0
Technology : 0.09µ
CPU ID : F.4.1
CPU IDEx : F.4.1
Microcode : MU0F4117


The 512MB memory module currently installed has the following specs:
> Physical Memory : 512 MB DDR-SDRAM

>> General Information
A0 : Empty
A1 : Empty

>> Information SPD EEPROM (A0)
Manufacturer : Infineon
Part Number : AED660UD00-500C88X
Serial Number : E61B2812
Type : DDR-SDRAM PC-3200 (200 MHz) - [DDR-400]
Size : 512 MB (2 rows, 4 banks)
Module Buffered : No
Module Registered : No
Module SLi Ready (EPP) : No
Width : 64-bit
Error Correction Capability : No
Max. Burst Length : 8
Refresh : Reduced (.5x)7.8 µs, Self Refresh
Voltage : SSTL 2.5v
Prefetch Buffer : 2-bit
Manufacture : Week 56 of 2005
Supported Frequencies : 133 MHz, 166 MHz, 200 MHz
CAS Latency (tCL) : 2 clocks @133 MHz, 2.5 clocks @166 MHz, 3 clocks @200 MHz
RAS to CAS (tRCD) : 2 clocks @133 MHz, 3 clocks @166 MHz, 3 clocks @200 MHz
RAS Precharge (tRP) : 2 clocks @133 MHz, 3 clocks @166 MHz, 3 clocks @200 MHz
Cycle Time (tRAS) : 6 clocks @133 MHz, 7 clocks @166 MHz, 8 clocks @200 MHz

The FSB is set to 533MHz

I found it HERE: http://www.directron.com/ddr400512m184p.html for $16

[rallynavvie]

What are you planning on re-using it for?

[alegator]

What are you planning on re-using it for?

Actually it's my girlfriend's main PC

[rallynavvie]

Well if she's just doing internet and Office applications then what you've got might be fine without the extra memory.

[alegator]

Well if she's just doing internet and Office applications then what you've got might be fine without the extra memory.

Her computer is working fine, I optimized her PC as much as I could (defragged HD, cleaned up registry, defragged registry, defragged system files, disabled unnecessary startup items from msconfig, disabled unnecessary services,disabled unnecessary scheduled items), it's just that when I open certain applications (Office included, and others like Google Earth) there's too much hard drive activity, so I thought that by adding RAM that would improve a bit. But I wouldn't like to spend any $ on RAM to later find out that there's no noticeable performance improvement, specially since I'm aware that it's an outdated system.

[MOVIEGEEK]

She might need a new HDD but $16 for a RAM module is cheap.
XP will run on 512MB but 1-4GB is recommended.
Vista will run on 1GB but 2GB+ is recommended.

[ocgw]

Well if she's just doing internet and Office applications then what you've got might be fine without the extra memory.

Her computer is working fine, I optimized her PC as much as I could (defragged HD, cleaned up registry, defragged registry, defragged system files, disabled unnecessary startup items from msconfig, disabled unnecessary services,disabled unnecessary scheduled items), it's just that when I open certain applications (Office included, and others like Google Earth) there's too much hard drive activity, so I thought that by adding RAM that would improve a bit. But I wouldn't like to spend any $ on RAM to later find out that there's no noticeable performance improvement, specially since I'm aware that it's an outdated system.

that symptom you describe sounds a lot like what is commonly refered to as "disk thrashing" which is caused by too little physical memory, & the pc going to the virtual memory

Here is a read up on "disk thrashing"

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/D/disk_thrashing.html

ocgw

peace

[alegator]

that symptom you describe sounds a lot like what is commonly refered to as "disk thrashing" which is caused by too little physical memory, & the pc going to the virtual memory

Here is a read up on "disk thrashing"

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/D/disk_thrashing.html

ocgw

peace

Yes, that's exactly the point, that's why I thought on adding RAM in the first place. Will 512MB additional RAM (1Gb total) make a noticeable difference or would I need to upgrade to 2Gb? The OS is WinXP Pro SP3

[rallynavvie]

Possibly. Bring up the Task Manager and watch how much memory is being used while it's operating.

[alegator]

Possibly. Bring up the Task Manager and watch how much memory is being used while it's operating.

You mean possibly 1gb or 2gb?

[rallynavvie]

Well if your pagefile is set high enough you'll see how much memory is being used up in the Task Manager. Set your pagefile to 1.5GB to allow a 2GB max and see how much gets used up. Honestly you could just add a 1GB stick to make 1.5GB of memory if you really wanted to, but as people have pointed out PC3200 isn't very expensive.

[alegator]

...you could just add a 1GB stick to make 1.5GB of memory if you really wanted to...

I thought that sticks of same capacity was allowed, i.e., either 2X512MB=1Gb or 2X1Gb=2Gb. Can I mix the current 512MB stick with a 1Gb one?

[rallynavvie]

That is the case with dual-channel memory which needs to be in like pairs. If you're running PC3200 on a 533 FSB chip I doubt it's running in dual-channel. Especially since it's a single stick right now isn't it?

[ocgw]

That is the case with dual-channel memory which needs to be in like pairs. If you're running PC3200 on a 533 FSB chip I doubt it's running in dual-channel. Especially since it's a single stick right now isn't it?

My daughter back from college's PC w/ Vista and 512mb of ram was soooooo slow, she had 1 512mb stick of DDR2 667 in a 2 slot mobo

I put in 2 old DDR2 800 1GB sticks I found in the basement and it would not start, her PC could not start @ that speed

I put in 1 of her sticks and 1 of mine and the PC automatically defaulted to the slower speed stick of 667, she is now running vista in "single channel" w/ 1.5GB of DDR2 @ 667Mhz w/ Vista and it is pretty snappy

damn dual channel, up that memory capacity w/o concern for "symetry", the slowest ram is 100 times faster than the fastest HDD (virtual memory, or swap drive)

I would get 1 1GB stick of the cheapest name brand DDR mem they sell over @ my beloved newegg w/ 5 eggs

G. Skill 1GB DDR400 for $30USD (rated by 485 ppl w/ an average of 5 eggs)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231036

in my most humble of opinions

ocgw

peace

[INFRATOM]

Take a RAM from one of your computer and add it to that computer if you noticed that much difference buy one. But for that kind of computer doesn't worth it. Companies throw a lot of these kind away just when you see an IT tell him I need one stick of 512meg I bet you end up with few gigs of free RAM.