Abraham Deutsch
asked on
Best practice- upgrading computer memory
1- Is it thru?
When upgrading amount of memory of a computer, best practice is to replace the existing. (Instead of adding sticks to the existing) Except If the memory is purchased from the computer manufacturer.
When a memory manufacturer shows comparable sticks it may not be the same specifications as the existing and can cause trouble.
(I find it difficult to find the exact specifications of the original memory).
2- In a motherboard there are four slots
When using 2 sticks in which of the two should it be insert?
3- Any other recommendations from your experience to share?
When upgrading amount of memory of a computer, best practice is to replace the existing. (Instead of adding sticks to the existing) Except If the memory is purchased from the computer manufacturer.
When a memory manufacturer shows comparable sticks it may not be the same specifications as the existing and can cause trouble.
(I find it difficult to find the exact specifications of the original memory).
2- In a motherboard there are four slots
When using 2 sticks in which of the two should it be insert?
3- Any other recommendations from your experience to share?
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER
Is Kingston the better brand?
Their website if not user friendly, I have issues placing an order, and no option of reviewing previous orders.
Their website if not user friendly, I have issues placing an order, and no option of reviewing previous orders.
Kingston memory is very good . I get it from my regular vendors here because it meets warranty specs. I cannot speak for their website but that would not be a deciding factor.
Crucial makes good memory as well. Just check the warranty specifications
Crucial makes good memory as well. Just check the warranty specifications
The best way to buy RAM is either to use the Kingston or Crucial memory configurator. Those tools allow you to input your exact PC model, and then the results for RAM you get is guaranteed to work (or they take it back), or the method I prefer go to the IT shop just around the corner and ask for the RAM and whether I can return it if it doesn't work. They usually say yes. I then take the RAM home and install it into the PC, run memtest86+, and if it works fine, OK, if not I return it. Or you can also take the PC to the shop and test the RAM there.
This method is fool proof, you don't have to pay extra for shipping and wait for it to arrive.
This method is fool proof, you don't have to pay extra for shipping and wait for it to arrive.
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
what i do is check the motherboard manufacturter's supported ram list -that way you are SURE it works
many boards do not work well with compatible, or mixed ram sticks and sizes
for therest, Kingston and Crucial are also my favorite brands
many boards do not work well with compatible, or mixed ram sticks and sizes
for therest, Kingston and Crucial are also my favorite brands
ASKER
Let me summarize, correct me if I’m wrong.
Mixing other brands can cause problems. Do to the fact in most cases, it's not clear what memory module is currently inserted, best practice is replace the existing one too.
When using 2 sticks in which of the two should it be insert? Refer to the manual of computer manufacture, some of them are easy to understand some more difficult, in such case go with 4 sticks instead of 2.
Best is to buy from manufacture but it may be expensive. Kingston memory is usually warranty-approved. This is as good as purchasing from the manufacturer. Crucial makes good memory as well.
Buying direct from Kingston may not give you the experience. Leaking many features. And even more, in one instant, my card was decline for no good reason, in my statement activity’s it appeared twice. But it’s very easy to buy their memory from other vendors, as their part numbers are consistent, which it not the case with Crucial.
Crucial has memory for more models then Kingston.
There is available a tool called memtest86+, I did not yet get to look in what exactly it functions are.
Mixing other brands can cause problems. Do to the fact in most cases, it's not clear what memory module is currently inserted, best practice is replace the existing one too.
When using 2 sticks in which of the two should it be insert? Refer to the manual of computer manufacture, some of them are easy to understand some more difficult, in such case go with 4 sticks instead of 2.
Best is to buy from manufacture but it may be expensive. Kingston memory is usually warranty-approved. This is as good as purchasing from the manufacturer. Crucial makes good memory as well.
Buying direct from Kingston may not give you the experience. Leaking many features. And even more, in one instant, my card was decline for no good reason, in my statement activity’s it appeared twice. But it’s very easy to buy their memory from other vendors, as their part numbers are consistent, which it not the case with Crucial.
Crucial has memory for more models then Kingston.
There is available a tool called memtest86+, I did not yet get to look in what exactly it functions are.
Sounds just about right.
Memtest is a tool to test your memory for errors.
Could you maybe post a photo of your current memory module (both sides) and preferably a photo of your mainboard and/or pc product number, that way we are able to give you more info.
Memtest is a tool to test your memory for errors.
Could you maybe post a photo of your current memory module (both sides) and preferably a photo of your mainboard and/or pc product number, that way we are able to give you more info.
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
replacing the existing ram is not needed in most cases, provided you have enough spare slots, and the other ram agrees with it
when using 2 sticks, most manufturers use the same color coded slots - but this depends entirely on the manufacturer - there are no rules here; so check your manual
you do NOT need to buy from manufacturer; and Kingston and Crucial are comparable for quality and support
what do you mean with " my card was decline for no good reason" post exactly what happened
when using 2 sticks, most manufturers use the same color coded slots - but this depends entirely on the manufacturer - there are no rules here; so check your manual
you do NOT need to buy from manufacturer; and Kingston and Crucial are comparable for quality and support
what do you mean with " my card was decline for no good reason" post exactly what happened
Although it can be hard to tell what memory is installed by looking at it, you can get more info by googling the part numbers.
Also, the Crucial memory scanner is good (on a PC with a working OS) at telling you what you have, and what is recommended to work with it. I've never had a problem using what it suggests along with the currently installed memory, and would only ever remove it if I wanted to add some higher-capacity sticks.
If you really want to understand some differences, there's a good article here:
http://www.gamersnexus.net/guides/1349-ram-how-dual-channel-works-vs-single-channel?showall=1
but the TLDR is "most people won't notice the difference"
There's also some debate about specialist RAM for gaming, but again there's not much in it:
http://www.techradar.com/news/computing-components/upgrades/performance-pc-memory-is-it-worth-upgrading--1208324
Also, the Crucial memory scanner is good (on a PC with a working OS) at telling you what you have, and what is recommended to work with it. I've never had a problem using what it suggests along with the currently installed memory, and would only ever remove it if I wanted to add some higher-capacity sticks.
If you really want to understand some differences, there's a good article here:
http://www.gamersnexus.net/guides/1349-ram-how-dual-channel-works-vs-single-channel?showall=1
but the TLDR is "most people won't notice the difference"
There's also some debate about specialist RAM for gaming, but again there's not much in it:
http://www.techradar.com/news/computing-components/upgrades/performance-pc-memory-is-it-worth-upgrading--1208324
ASKER
As you can see there are difference in opinions between experts. My experience was Mixing other brands can cause problems, even when following the online tool from Crucial. Do to the fact in most cases, it's not clear what memory module is currently inserted, best practice is replace the existing one too.
Thank you all for your contribution.
Thank you all for your contribution.
You are most welcome and I was happy to help.
2. You need to check the mainboard's manual. Normally it is best to fill the same memory banks with the same modules, but how those banks are distributed on your board depends on the board.
3. Usually it is good to get matching pairs of RAM, because they then run in dual channel mode, which is more efficient and faster. But that speed difference is so small that it is unlikely one would notice the difference. You should also get RAM that runs at least as fast as the FSB speed of your CPU. RAM that runs at a lower FSB bus speed will slow things down (but again the difference in speed is usually not noticeable).