do i need this much RAM? 4

[cupid11213]

Hi guys, i am currently thinking about adding some more RAM on my computer. I currently have a PC-CHIPS MOBO M863 socket 462 k7. With 512 333MHZ RAM and an integraded duron 2200 (1.2ghz processor). I was thinking of getting another 1GB Ram for it but not very sure if this is a good thing to do. I was reading some articles in here last night and ran accross one that said that if you had one 1 GB in one slot and 512 on the other that it only ran single channel and not dual.

I currently use my computer to run adobe produts such as photoshop cs2 and macromedia products such as dreamweaver 8. These programs take a good amount of ram to run. I also am downloading and burning movies every day and i cannot do anything else while that is going on.

My question to you guys is this: should i Buy just another same brand dual channel 512 mb RAM 333 MHZ or should i put in 1gb RAM? i understad that if i put the 1.5 GB then i will only be running single channel, and if i put 2 512 same brand and model RAM then it would run in dual channel.

What would perform better? for the programs i run. Will it make a difference if it's 1.5 GB in single, or just 1Gb in dual channel?

all suggestions are welcome and thanks for your time guys.

Luis

Some people make things happen, some people watch things happen, while others wonder what happened.

 

[rvnguy]

Running your memory in 'dual chanel' mode requires that the memory modules be matched. This refers to the size, type, speed, & timings, if not matched, it will operate in single channel by default.

If you can determine the exact type of module you currently have and obtain a matching additional module this will be the most economical and 1GB in dual channel should provide the additional performance for the 2d applications you described. As the copying of DVD movies is rather CPU intensive I doubt that you will be able to perform additional tasks while doing this without seeing slow performance.

If you are processing rather large Photoshop files, you might consider procuring matching 1GB modules & save or sell the current 512 Module.

Hope this helps

rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[mainegeek]

cupid11213,

You should also consider upgrading from the Duron to an Athlon. If it were me, I would spend the money on a cpu upgrade first.

 

[cdogg]

The Socket A platform wasn't designed with dual-channel in mind. An Athlon or Duron CPU running on a 333MHz frontside bus is only capable of 2.7GB/s, and that's the max bandwidth it can achieve. A single-channel 333MHz DDR stick of RAM already handles up to 2.7GB/s.

So why dual-channel? Well, it can help in other areas away from the CPU like the southbridge which includes SATA, PCI, USB, etc. When the CPU is maxing out, dual-channel gives a little extra breathing room to these other components demanding memory. This situation isn't often, and many real-world benchmarks show as little as 5 - 10% improvement with dual-channel over single-channel on the socket A platform.

So with that in mind, I wouldn't be too concerned with your question. A memory upgrade isn't your best option, even for the price. A CPU upgrade to a much faster Athlon XP would be. In addition to speed, the extra L2 cache you'll get can also make a significant difference in many apps.

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[cupid11213]

Thanks guy's

I have been looking for a new onboard cpu (since they are much cheaper where i'm at)and i do like that athlon for their much better performance. I believe i will purchase another same brand 512 of ram to keep it at 1GB RAM and will look for a good onboard cpu to purchase soon.

so what do you guy's recommend for someone like me that is in a country where i only make 700 dollars a month? (yeah i know, i'll be going back to the states next year...lol)

for what i plan to do what amd do you think would be cheap enough and much better in performance than what i currently have?

thanks for all your help guys.

Luis

Some people make things happen, some people watch things happen, while others wonder what happened.

 

[paparazi]

cupid11213
I'm pretty sure this PCchips motherboard and CPU combo is using an earlier SIS chipset (SIS741 Northbridge and SIS 963L Southbribride) that hasn't got dual channel memory capability!
From memory (forgive me if I'm wrong) the Nforce2 and Via KT890 FOR SOCKET A (462) "which both came right at the end of this sockets life" were the only two chipsets that were dual channel capable.
For this reason I'm nearly certain this cheap combo board does not have this feature and so the debate regarding same size modules would not apply anyway.
As for the fastest CPU:
Depending on the exact version? the M863 either supported upto 333fsb CPU's or the fastest 400fsb CPU's so:
Either: the fastest 333fsb CPU was the Athlon XP3.0+ OR!
The fastest 400fsb CPU was the Athlon XP3200+
Both very much faster than your Duron 1200

May I suggest a Barton Core XP2.5+ which had a 333fsb would be a good budget choice if you can find a second hand one.
Semprons are not so good because their clock speed is lower and your motherboard may have some dificulty in recognising one properly, although they should work.

Martin




We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[cupid11213]

thank you paparazi i appreciate your suggestion will look into it to see if i can find one where i am ( El Salvador)

they usually only sell cheapos here, but i will look for it thanks once again

Luis

Some people make things happen, some people watch things happen, while others wonder what happened.