2x2/4x2 gigs of ram with 32 bit XP?

Tarante11a · 17 May 2009 at 16:19

Hi there

I've got a EVGA Nforce 680i Sli motherboard, have just discovered I've got some bad ram I need to replace. I was going to go with changing from 1x4 gigs of ram to 2x2 but was wondering if there was any point in my going for 2x4 gigs. I'm using 32bit XP.. so I thought it might be a bit overkill. Preperation for the future maybe?

Bit annoyed, because the original ram the machine came with is Patriot DDR2 which, after a bit of research on the net, doesn't seem to like the motherboard. Stupid Alienware ahem.

Any suggestions/help much appreciated.

Tara

Actually, machine is other halfs.. but he is a 'man' and doesn't want to 'ask for directions'

so shhhh.

Art · 17 May 2009 at 16:35

Hello!

If your machine is using XP 32bit then like you said, it'll be overkill: 32bit XP can't use more than a little bit over 3GB.

As for preparing for the future: DDR3 is already here and it's getting cheaper. If you change your machine in the future you never know what you'll end up with, you could end up replacing the entire thing with a DDR3 rig and then the extra DDR2 would be useless. Then again, you might not.

If I was in your situation I'd forget about the 4x2GB unless you're planning on upgrading to a 64bit OS any time soon. Stick with the 2x2GB: it's cheaper, and you know you're going to use it. If you ever do upgrade to a 64bit OS you can get the RAM then, but until you can use it there's not a huge amount of point in buying it.

xiphrex · 17 May 2009 at 16:36

32bit XP can only see 4 gigs of total system memory (including the graphics card memory) so with 2x2gig you will likely see 3.5 or 3.2gig depending on how much memory your graphics card has.

And with 2x4gig, you will see the same (so instead of 8gig you will see less than 4!).

But if your able to do 2x4gig then why not go for a 64bit vista or windows 7, as 8gig of memory is more than good for those.

Tarante11a · 17 May 2009 at 16:58

Many thanks for your help chaps!

2x2 it is then - leaves plenty of room for expansion - currently looking at the OCZ gold on the main site which seems to be the good buy of the moment

The problem with upgrading the OS is the horrible, thorny problem of Money but I've no doubt it'll happen eventually.

thanks again!

T

Art · 17 May 2009 at 17:33

If you really wanted to change your OS and followed xiphrex's advice about Windows 7 it's actually free. In saying that, you get a release candidate that might have a few extra bugs, and it'll start playing silly buggers in March or May 2010 unless you pay for a full copy.

If you're happy enough with your current OS there's not much point in changing, unless you really need to use 8GB of RAM for something like video editing.