How to tell "which" Ram a computer has?

[Powerstroke2000]

With the many different Ram out on the market these days, from those still using the old 486 on up to todays "new and improved" PC's, for someone who wants to do a RAM upgrade, is there a way of telling which RAM a particular PC is using?
Or, do you have to physically uninstall the current RAM and take it with you when wanting to upgrade?

A friend of mine's computer seemed unusually slow, so I checked and he only has 256 or RAM, so I thought I would buy him some RAM, but then realized....which RAM?
At today's prices, there really is no need to go with a low amount of RAM in my opinion (the computer is a P4 using Windows ME) so once I find out from you folks on the correct method, I'll get out there and make my purchase!

I wouldn't assume one would want to mix and match?

Thanks...much appreciated!

Powerstroke2000

[thefultonhow]

http://www.crucial.com has a memory configurator. Not even taking the RAM with helps sometimes, because there are different densities of RAM that look the same, but the higher-density ones often won't work in a computer. For older computers, especially brand-name ones, it's better to buy direct from Crucial and spend a bit more -- they guarantee that the RAM they send you will work in the system you select in the configurator.

[Powerstroke2000]

Thanks very much...extremely helpful.

I ran the program advised, and found out (on my system) which ram "I" at least can update to.

One thing I'm not certain of though, is it mentioned something about adding Ram in "Pairs" of which I have one 512 MB chip installed and one 256 MB chip installed.
The program tells me I still have one unused slot that I can add Ram to (how can you add in pairs with 3 slots?) so would it matter what "size" of Ram that slot had...assuming I didn't go over the 2048 MB available to me on my motherboard? Apparently I have the Gigabyte GA-8PE667 board.

I apparently am using DDR non-parity PC2700 Ram.

I'll download and save this to run on my buddy's computer, to find this information now.

Thanks again.

Powerstroke2000

[MakeYourslf2012]

When they talk about adding ram in pairs, they are talking about dual-channel. Its when you match modules in matching slots, which is more efficient on certain Intel machines. However, you board has 3 slots and this does not apply to it.


The size of RAM won't matter, as long as your RAM is PC2700 or PC2100.

[Powerstroke2000]

Thanks once again.

Question though...there is quite a long list of options that came up on the "Crucial Evaluation" on my computer, of which I could buy.

I noticed often that DDR PC3200 Non ECC DDR400 is shown, when I have more than one choice on a specific SIZE of chip I would like to add.

Now, my question would be, would that PC3200 only work at the speed of the DDR PC2700 DDR333...being the slower of the two? Or in other words, if the PC3200 cost more, would I be better off spending a lesser amount for DDR2700 Ram (if there is a difference in cost that is)?

I currently have a 512 MB & a 256 MB = 768 MB total RAM... and I wondered if I would be better off adding another 512 MB or 1 GB chip in the 3rd empty slot?
I just wonder if my computer could utilize the additional RAM, or is it sitting there unused 99% of the time?
Just trying to think "efficiency" here, as my budget will allow either.

Thanks again..

Powerstroke2000

On edit: I also wondered whether going even futher...pulling the 256 MB chip, and going with three 512 MB chips...or even 2- 512's and a 1 GB? Again...thinking "efficiency" as well, wondering if RAM is sitting unused? Most use of this particular computer is "internet", "e-mail", and "Word", although often many many windows are open at the same time!

[thefultonhow]

Your motherboard has the 845PE chipset, which can only utilize DDR333. DDR400 will clock down to DDR333 speeds.

I personally have 1 GB and it is enough most of the time. If I were you I'd get a 512 MB stick.