upgrading RAM...

[iThinkYouBrokeIt]

I've installed RAM, but I've never actually upgraded RAM...

So I'm kind of a n00b at this ....


The RAM I currently have in my PC is
2 x 256MB PC3200 DDR (512MB total)
I would like to upgrade to 1GB RAM.
So, should I just look for another 2 x 256MB PC3200 ram chips? Or would one 512MB chip be better? Or perhaps just toss the current chips and put in a single 1GB ram chip?
Is there any other information that I need to know before purchasing? I rly don't want to buy memory and find out it isn't compatible.

Advice, please

[Dubber]

Check your motherboard's manual, you may / may not have to have them in pairs, e.g. 2 modules or 4 modules. But it sounds as you may be able to have any - odd or even number of modules on your motherboard.
If that's the case, price out 2x512MB as opposed to 1x1GB and see what's cheaper. You may also be able to get by with getting just an additional 512MB module to add to existing 2x256MB ones.
If in doubt, take MoBo manual with you to a computer store (not BB or CC) and ask there for advise.

[Bjs]

Mixing different size modules can affect the system in many way's , so be careful , and refer to your motherboards manual first if it is a requirement for two matching module's to be installed or not (single) and the order they MUST be installed .

Nothing bad will happen , just some minor issue's , especially if smaller ram modules are loaded first .

If single , the 1 gig module would be cheaper , and keep the 2 x 256's as backup's .
If dual , then consider either 2x in the range of either 512 or 1 gig , and keep the old module's as backup's .

The last thing you would want to do is buy replacement module's that pack it in some time later , and you sold the older one's before this event .
Sure , it's a rarity , but are you going to be the guinea pig who find's out they bought dud module's ...

Ms has a memory checker that you can use to check the new module's out : http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp
I ran memtest , and xp reported an issue ... all clear after using the ms tool .

[Krispy Kritter]

If you know your pc specs and/or MB type, you can use the configurator at a site such as crucial.com.

To eliminate speed/performance issues, I would stick to a single pair of modules, in this case 2x512.