RAM Query

Itsdacraic

I'm upgrading the RAM on a couple of old Dell Optiplex 520 machines.

They currently have 512MB x 2 DDR2 RAM.

Would you advise filling both slots (e.g. 1GB x 2) or would it work just as well with a single 2GB module?

freestyla

if its this mobo http://www.ascendtech.us/itemdesc.asp?ic=MB4DELOPTWG233&eq=&Tp=, then Maximum Memory: 2 Dual Channel DIMM [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial]Support for up to 4 GB of memory

always better 2x RAM sticks as dual channel


[/FONT]

Btw, why you upgrading? I mean if using Photoshop etc maybe you will need 2x2GB ? if surfing and office stuff, I don't know if 2x1GB will boost that Dell relevant to DDR2 memory cost

Itsdacraic

freestyla wrote: »

if its this mobo http://www.ascendtech.us/itemdesc.asp?ic=MB4DELOPTWG233&eq=&Tp=, then Maximum Memory: 2 Dual Channel DIMM [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial]Support for up to 4 GB of memory

always better 2x RAM sticks as dual channel


[/FONT]

Btw, why you upgrading? I mean if using Photoshop etc maybe you will need 2x2GB ? if surfing and office stuff, I don't know if 2x1GB will boost that Dell relevant to DDR2 memory cost

It's for a friend of mine, she works from home (not using any particularly heavy stuff, word, excel etc) but she installed Windows 7 on them and finds them a bit slower since. As she currently only has 1GB I thought an extra GB would do her no harm?

Also would you always use 2 sticks of the same size? Do you think using a 1Gb and 2Gb stick would cause issues? I've done it in the past without problems but just wondering what your opinion on it is?

Thanks

Floodric

You'll always get a better performance with two sticks, same size and same speed.

freestyla

Floodric wrote: »

You'll always get a better performance with two sticks, same size and same speed.

yes.

komplett has free delivery for now! Two of these http://www.komplett.ie/Komplett/site/Catalog/ItemDetail.aspx?ItemNo=13608625

or this kit + 8eur postage
http://www.elara.ie/productdetail.aspx?productcode=MME3425920

Dont have time now to check Pixmania and what else..

brianthomas

I think the min Ram needed to run windows 7 is 2GB anyway. (64 bit) or 1GB for 32 bit. Definately upgrade it. 2 sticks of the same capacity and speed.