How do I install new RAM?????

rookie76

Hi all.

I have a Dell Dimension E520 desktop and I want to upgrade my RAM to improve performance.
I currently only have 1gb (2 x 500mb) which is taking up 2 slots on my motherboard. There are 2 other free slots and I'm wondering if I just stick the new RAM into these or should i replace old RAM?
Also the slots are colour coded and in this order : black - white - black - white.
The current RAM occupies the 2 white slots, leaving the 2 black slots free. What is the significance of this and will the configuration affect my new RAM?

My pc spec is : CPU = Intel Core 2 6320 @ 1.86ghz
RAM = 1gb
System = 32 bit OS (Win 7)

Also how do I know if dual core is operating correctly and will the configuration of the RAM affect this?

Thanks for any advice you can give.....................

dyer

Specs for your Dell E520

Memory

Type
533-MHz, 667-MHz, and 800-MHz dual DDR2 unbuffered SDRAM
Memory capacities
256 MB, 512 MB, or 1 GB non-ECC

Maximum memory
4 GB

As a general rule you should match ram with similar type and spec so you should find out what you already have installed. you could leave what you have in already and pair it up with 2x1GB sticks for a total of 3GB.

download cpu-z or speccy .. should help you figure out your ram specs.

the coloured slots indicate dual channel mode (DDR2). it doubles the bandwidth of your ram if two sticks are installed in these slots. ie, black with black, white with white.. or simply having all four slots filled.

if you open task manager and go to performance, you should see two graphs for each cpu. if not goto view in the top menu and select CPU History > One Graph Per CPU. Its highly unlikely you are only running off one core anyway. cpu-z should help you identify this anyway.

hope that helps

Serephucus

Based on the specs from dyer, this memory should work.

http://www.memoryc.ie/products/description/4GB_DDR2_PC2_5300_Team_Elite-5_5_5_15-Dual_Channel_kit/index.html

It's 4GB of 667MHz DDR2. When installing this, you'd just pop out the old RAM, and put this stuff in its place.

rookie76

Thanks all.

Can you confirm, is it ok to use 2 x 2gb or should I use 4 x 1gb?

If 2 x 2gb is ok which slots should I use?

Cheers.

dyer

4x1gb .. maximum your board supports is 4GB

if you only had two sticks it wouldnt really matter whether or not you put them in black/black or white/white.. although most boards ive had recommended putting them in the 1st and 3rd slots ive never had any problems using either.

i would elect for PC2-6400 (800mhz) if your budget allows as this is the fastest ram you can get with those specs.

Serephucus

@dyer, doesn't make a difference, he'd just be wasting money.

You make a good point about 4x1 though, I'd forgotten his board might not support 2GB DIMMs.

As it happens though, 800MHz is the speed of the cheapest kit MemoryC has. About the same price as 2x2 as well.

http://www.memoryc.ie/products/description/1GB_Elixir_DDR2_PC2_6400_800MHz_CL5_desktop_memory_module/index.html

rookie76

Hey guys.

Had a look at my PC specs on Dell website, and compatible memory listed is 553 or 667mhz. Does this mean that the 800mhz won't work?
Also was thinking of buying 4 of the following from Amazon :

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kingston-Technology-667MHz-DDR2-Non-ECC/dp/B0009JR82U/ref=sr_1_1?m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1326389078&sr=1-1

One other query. Is my processor spec. ok for handling extra RAM or are there any other tips to improve pcs performance?

Sorry if these are stupid questions but just not up to speed on the technology, so appreciate your advice.

dyer

yeah theyd work fine

hmm yeah.. i checked the owners manual and it only shows 533 and 667 as being supported but according to this page your board should support 800mhz. you might want to read this as well though, seems there is some confusion about the compatability.

your processor should be fine for handling the ram, it has a max FSB of 1066mhz which is plenty of room. there's not much you can do with that Dell to increase performance by way of overclocking etc because the bios is locked.

rookie76

Thanks Dyer for the info.

It does seem a bit confusing
After reading I think i'll go with the 667mhz and see how it improves performance. I'm sure that any improvement now will satisfy me, but if not can always try the 800mhz at a later stage.
As I'm cagey enough about all of this as a newcomer, I think I'll take baby steps.

Thanks for all your advice. I'll post an update on my results when I have it installed, for anyone else who may be in the same boat.

Cheers..................................

dyer

no worries. you should see a nice performance increase with the extra ram in windows 7 anyway..as far as program load times and the amount of programs you have open etc. i wouldnt bother upgrading to 800mhz later, theres really not that much incentive for doing so. start saving for a new system instead

John mac

dyer wrote: »

no worries. you should see a nice performance increase with the extra ram in windows 7 anyway.. start saving for a new system instead

dont forget if you are using xp it wont see 4 GB.

rookie76

Using Win 7. Will it be ok???

Tij da feen

rookie76 wrote: »

Using Win 7. Will it be ok???

If it's 32-bit then it won't recognise more than something like 3.86GB of RAM or something close to that. To actually use the 4GB of RAM you have to go with a 64-bit OS. It won't make much of a difference if you're using a 32-bit OS.

puzzle factory

fup sake,i only opened this tab because i taught it had sumit to do with goats,i was gona blow yer minds.

rookie76

Update:

Installed 4gb of RAM yesterday. Made a huge difference in general speed of response when changing from one file/page to another, opening large files with lots of photos etc, or when having several programs opened at the same time.
Tig da feen was right though as it recognises the 4gb but says that only 3gb is usable.

While i was waiting for new RAM to arrive I also cleared up my C drive using a free program called 'CCLEANER', and stopped any auto start-up programs I didn't need that were running in the background, using MSCONFIG.

These changes, and a few other speed up tricks I got from Google have really improved my PCs performance. It is better than when I first got it and is no longer a pain to do the simple tasks that were driving me crazy.

Thanks to all for advice and help..............

Shiminay

You'll want 64 Bit Win 7 for making use of that last gig of RAM as the other said, but looks like you're in much better shape than you were.

RAM upgrades are such a great and relatively painless way to get a huge jump in speed from a PC - you'll easily get another year out of it before needing to replace it. Real shame they don't teach people these things in school or something, I'm sure you'll agree yourself now that you've done the deed, it wasn't all that difficult once you know what you were looking for.

Well done on doing your first bit of upgrading - next step is to build your own PC