Help with Memory Upgrade

[Boib]

Quote from Scataphagos:

You should probably not use the 512 stick at all. The mobo is "dual channel" for memory, assuming you have proper memory. With the 512 in there, the memory should slow down to "single channel" performance.

Running XP? If so, 2GB of RAM likely more than enough.

When you install the memory, one stick in each of the slots with the white tabs on the side.

Unfortunately running Vista:

Thanks for the response.

 

[Scataphagos]

Quote from Boib:

Unfortunately running Vista:

Thanks for the response.

At a minimum then, you should get 2G RAM more..

 

[LeeD]

Quote from dandxg:

Go to this website and use the check my system. Good guys, not the cheapest, and back their product. http://www.4allmemory.com/index.cfm

Similarly, you can go to a Web-site of any major RAM manufacturer (say Crucial or Corsair), choose your computer model and you will be offered a choice of compatible RAM modules.

 

[oraclewizard77]

I should mention I assumed that by Windows 7, Microsoft would have solved this issue, but after a blue screen of death, I realized that is was not solved.

On all versions of Windows, under advanced system settings, performance, you need to adjust virtual memory. Note that I have Win 7 Pro and 4 GB of memory, but by default, this is set to automatic, and that Windows will manage your virtual memory.

However, Windows is not AI, and is in fact not only stupid, it does not manage anything. It actually says that Windows recommends more virtual memory than what is allocated, but of course it does not change it even though its set to automatic.

So, everyone, set this to manual. A good rule of thumb, set init size to 1.5 x your actual memory so for me I set it to 6144, and for maximum, set it to 2 times total RAM, so for me I set it to 8142, and no more blue screens of death since making this change, plus the computer now runs faster.

 

[Boib]

Quote from Boib:

I have ordered two 1 Gig Ram Modules.
My computer has 4 slots available.
Does it make any difference what order the modules are placed?
Should I replace the 512MB with one of the 1Gig modules or just install the new modules behind the original?

Update:
Received and installed the new RAM
The difference is incredible. Dell sure screwed up selling that machine with only 512K, or at least I screwed up buying it.

Highly recommend more RAM for anyone running Vista.

Now sitting with 512K module. I have an older machine running XP with only 1Gig of RAM. Going to add the 512 and see if it makes any difference.