Memory advice wanted

funkeh · 3 Jan 2009 at 07:58

I've just been given a C2D 6300 and an Asus P5LD2-VM.
Im behind the times with all this new fangled stuff and havnt a clue what memory to go for.
Will probably be running Vista on it and the mobo has 4 slots for Ram.

Can you fill up all the ram slots these days or does it still cause problems?
Would also like to overclock if possible so please spec me some Rammage!

UltimateBadger · 3 Jan 2009 at 09:33

If you're running 32-bit Vista just stick 2x2GB sticks in it.
If you're overclocking then look at some DDR2 PC2-8500 1066Mhz RAM from
the likes of OCZ/Corsair etc.

95thrifles · 3 Jan 2009 at 10:06

Id disagree (edited sry i misread what you put, ignore - I actually agree, lol), with prices as low as they are go for 4 gig minimum (2x2gig) if you have 32 bit vista it will only see about 3-3.5 but its still more than 2 and as I say its dirt cheap. If you do have 64 bit you could go for 8 gig, I believe it does make OC'ing more difficult particuarly on older boards, this is your call. Agree re getting PC8500 though, prices at moment are silly cheap really

funkeh · 3 Jan 2009 at 10:14

8500 it is then, will it be ok to fill up all the slots though?

Mark228 · 5 Jan 2009 at 03:02

funkeh said:
8500 it is then, will it be ok to fill up all the slots though?

I'd like to know this answer too, am on Vista 32bit so can only do 4gig RAM max then?

95thrifles · 5 Jan 2009 at 20:36

Yes its fine filling all the slots, though if you did use 2 x2 gig instead of 4x1 you could maybe transport them into your next upgrade depending on when you do it. With some boards you cant get quite as good an OC with all 4 DIMMs in use either
You can put 8gig in if you want, but 32 bit O/S (Vista XP or any other for that matter) can only see and therefore use 3-3.5gig, so no there is no point in more than 4

Mark228 · 5 Jan 2009 at 21:56

95thrifles said:
Yes its fine filling all the slots, though if you did use 2 x2 gig instead of 4x1 you could maybe transport them into your next upgrade depending on when you do it. With some boards you cant get quite as good an OC with all 4 DIMMs in use either
You can put 8gig in if you want, but 32 bit O/S (Vista XP or any other for that matter) can only see and therefore use 3-3.5gig, so no there is no point in more than 4

I see, thanks, so I can upgrade to 4 at least. I know nothing about windows but I assume a future update wont be able to make it recognize more RAm than 4gig then?

95thrifles · 5 Jan 2009 at 22:21

If you get a new O/S, a 64 bit one, then yes it will be able to recognse more, but it wouldnt be worth you going out and buying 64 bit vista and another 4 gig of RAM, just use 4 for now then in 6months - 1year once Windows7 is out and stable get that then add more RAM, or even wait til you next do a system rebuild, thats my advice

miniyazz · 5 Jan 2009 at 22:32

Mark228 said:
I see, thanks, so I can upgrade to 4 at least. I know nothing about windows but I assume a future update wont be able to make it recognize more RAm than 4gig then?

No. It's not a Windows limitation, it's a limitation of having a 32-bit OS. If you want more than 4GB RAM, get a 64-bit OS (i.e. 64-bit Vista)

Mark228 · 5 Jan 2009 at 23:40

miniyazz said:
get a 64-bit OS (i.e. 64-bit Vista)

I may do that in a few years, but I figured there would be less compatibility problems with the 32bit Vista version for the first few years (and even so, there have been huge Graphics driver problems with my 8800GTS). Have you had many problems with your 64 setup getting drivers etc?

miniyazz · 6 Jan 2009 at 00:43

Mark228 said:
I may do that in a few years, but I figured there would be less compatibility problems with the 32bit Vista version for the first few years (and even so, there have been huge Graphics driver problems with my 8800GTS). Have you had many problems with your 64 setup getting drivers etc?

Very few problems getting drivers. In 64-bit, the OS tries not to let you install any drivers that haven't been approved by Microsoft (for added security). All the major things like graphics card drivers are approved and have no problems. Sometimes you might come across an unsigned driver if you use more obscure programs, but there are fewer of these than there used to be; it probably won't be a problem. But yes there will still be fewer issues with 32-bit.