Maximum amount of ram???
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Posted on Sep 23, 2004 12:59 am
DMBartender316
Member Since: Sep 21, 2004
I've got a gateway pc with 128 mbs of ram. Gateway has a Memory locator thing on their website, so i typed in my serial #, and it came up to upgrade to 256MB PC133 HD SDRAM. Underneath that it says Maximum amout/type that can be installed as 512MB SDRAM PC133....With number of memory slots on board as 2 (2 banks of 1). However when I open the computer i see that I have 3 total memory slots. Does that mean that each slot can only accept 512MB and that I could only add 2 more slots without taking out my current memory? Or does that mean that I can only have 512MB of ram TOTAL on my system?
Also....I've only got window ME right now, so would it be better to get the upgrade version of XP for $100, or the full version for $200. And if I would get the upgrade version if I ever had to reinstall windows...I would have to install ME first and then XP??? And what is the OEM version that I see listed on the Tiger website?
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olddogMember
Since: Jul 02, 2003
Sep 23, 2004 04:16 am It means 512MB total.
If you buy the upgrade version you need to have the CD for Win ME as proof that you qualify for the upgrade version but it doesn't have to be installed. The OEM version is a full version that technically your supposed to buy some hardware at the same time (even a mouse qualfies). It is meant to be used with a new PC installation (license wise), but it works exactly the same as the full retail WinXP.
Dan
Sep 23, 2004 05:17 am Some chipsets (Intel 815e comes to mind) have limitations regardings how much RAM it can use. 512 is the limit with that one chipset I know, most can take much more than that.
And yeah, like olddog said, you don't need to install ME, just have the CD there at the ready when installing XP, if it doesn't find an existing Windows version on the harddrive, it'll prompt you and ask where it is, you then show it the CD Rom.
Sep 23, 2004 07:29 am Why bother adding RAM with Windows ME? It'll just gobble it up and not spit it out!
What I mean is... Windows ME doesn't refresh RAM (atleast that used to be the case). So when you open an application such as Cubase and that takes for example 30% of your memory, when you close Cubase Windows doesn't refresh your RAM and still thinks it's using 30% toward an application. So, when you open a few programs and close a few programs it creates a snowball effect and then WHAM! ...you're computer is acting like crap!
In conclusion; get XP and max out your RAM (see suggestions above). Your PC's performace will much improved. What processor & MHz are you running?? That'll matter too!
Cheers!
-Al
Sep 23, 2004 08:06 am If you get RAM managing software it can help correct the FAT32 types of Windows RAM management issues...such as MemTurbo for example...not endorsing it or anything, just giving an example...there are many.
Sep 23, 2004 11:37 am It's a Pentium 3 933mhz. Is there a way to upgrade the chipset (i guess that's what i mean) to accept more Ram? and if i buy a 512mb of ram and install that, what will happen if i leave the 128 mbs in there?
Sep 23, 2004 11:41 am chipset is part of the motherboard, so you would have to buy a new motherboard. If you go that far, you may as well buy a new CPU and newer, faster RAM too...go with AMD and you can get a lot more for your money.
Sep 25, 2004 09:13 pm XP is probably the worst choice of Operating System. Win2000pro is the best of the bad-bunch. I'd say go for that if you want to use Windows. The win9x series (inc ME) also fail to recognise more than 512 MB of RAM I believe.
Technically speaking, x86 architecture CPUs (like the intel and AMD chips) can handle a maximum of 4GB of RAM, although most motherboard manufacturers limit you to 3Gigs.
