noob memory question

[melbufrauma]

my comp has only 4gb of memory, i was looking at newegg and i was going to purchase the Corsair XMS series either the 6gb or the 8gb. im not sure which sticks are currently in my pc, but if i did upgrade could i leave the ones in there and just add new ones or is it recommended to remove all and have the same type of stick in there.

[Cephius]

Why do you need more memory? Are you constantly using 4 gigs of RAM? Unused RAM is wasted RAM.

If you're really intent on getting more, find out what brand and model motherboard you have and use Newegg's memory configurator to buy compatible memory.

[melbufrauma]

I was just wanting to have more so that when some better pc games come out i dont have to upgrade lol. this is my current pc Gateway Official Site: Shop - Desktops - FX6800-01e Product Details - FX 6800 01e Product Details

and it says there that my motherboard is Systemboard with Intel® X58 Chipset

[Cephius]

Since you have a pre-built PC then you can just choose your system from the list and it'll bring up a selection of memory for you. But again, I don't think any game requires more than 4 gigs of RAM right now. It'll only get cheaper as time goes forward, anyway.

[OctavoGilgamesh]

my comp has only 4gb of memory, i was looking at newegg and i was going to purchase the Corsair XMS series either the 6gb or the 8gb. im not sure which sticks are currently in my pc, but if i did upgrade could i leave the ones in there and just add new ones or is it recommended to remove all and have the same type of stick in there.

Have a 64 bit operating system? Save your money until Thursday and go get a copy of 64 bit Windows 7 and worry about adding memory later.

If you have a 64 bit os, to make a good choice you would need to know what is currently in the system. You should be able to get the information from Dell.

[melbufrauma]

yes its vista 64bit, i already have my windows 7 pre ordered, cant wait til thurs...

[Isiolia]

Edited due to system specs being posted...

According to the link you posted you should have 3GB of RAM, not 4. That was a point of confusion for me, since a 6GB kit is typically for triple-channel, which wouldn't normally have 4GB of RAM to start with.

RAM will run at the lowest common setting, so if you're set on a particular timing, then you may need to pull your existing 3GB. In that case a 6GB kit would be good. Otherwise, you could get a 3GB kit to bump up to 6GB total instead with your same timings as you have now.

[fishstix]

Sometimes prebuilt i7 x58s came with 4gb or 8gb of ram because the builders are idiots, but yea, the link says 3gb like Isiolla pointed out. Personally, I would wait for the new games and then upgrade as needed. If you have to, I would then buy 6gb of a higher clocked ram and replace the existing. If you're into overclocking, I hear you're limited if you fill up all of your ram slots. Also yeah if you didn't realize, your system can take triple-channel ram, which is why we mention 3gb and 6. If you mix and match like 6gb triple channel and then 2gb double channel... idk how that'd work out

[Mirage]

I almost never go over 3 GB used memory when I run relatively new games. I don't really think you should spend money on more RAM unless you're experiencing lots of disk-caching or something. If you wait it out, it'll get cheaper too.

[Zragnarok]

Sorry to use your thread but I have a noob question as well and I don't want to start a new one just for that. So my noob question is... Can you install 533 mhz memory on a motherboard who support 1066/800/667 ? The fact is that my motherboard is 2 years old and it's probably dead. I don't want to change my PC at all and my memory is 533 mhz...

Here's the MB http://usa.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=ef0qgvMIwOUagAVl

Here's the Memory Newegg.ca - Kingston ValueRAM 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) Desktop Memory Model KVR533D2N4/1G - Desktop Memory

Thanks!

[fishstix]

hmm... it can't hurt to try. What's your CPU and what do you mean by you don't want to change your PC at all?

Also from my experiences, changing the motherboard will require either a repair windows install, or to reinstall it fully.