RAM question

John C · Oct 28, 2006, 03:17 PM

hi all

I'm a big computer noob and I have a question about the RAM of my computer, and I think I'm at the right place

I currently have 1024Mb 400 chache memory in my pc, and I intend to upgrate it to 2058

However I have a few quetions:

1) Is it acctualy any good or do you advice me to buy an other mem type
2) How big is the influence of RAM on a system ? Will it acctualy give me a preformance boost for games or won't it change that much ? (I realy have trouble with BF1942: FH when alot of players get extremly close to eachother with all kinds of vehicles, not many troubles with BF2 tough (check http://forgottenhope.bf1942files.com...lish&flash=yes if you don't know what BF1942 FH is)

3) does RAM need alot of power ? I think my powersupply is acctualy already toweak for my system(I changed my standard X740 for a X850XT wibouth changing my powersupply

Prehaps you guys could also give adivice on my other PC spects

My PC spects:

1024MB RAM
3.2 Ghz pocessor( with I believe 2Mb L1 4Mb L2 but I could be wrong)
ATI 850XT card

Retarp · Oct 28, 2006, 03:29 PM

Can you post your full computer specs? That way we can give better advice.

When playing games, does your HDD activity light come on a lot? If so then a 2gig upgrade will make a huge difference.

RAM itself does not use a lot of power. However, to use 2 gigs of ram, the motherboard's chipset has to do a LOT more work, thus power stability is critical. How big is your power supply? Depending on the number of drives & fans, you should be ok with a high quality 450w unit.

There are a lot of problems when trying to get 2 sets of 1gig matched pairs to play nice. I tried with 4x512meg corsiar DDR400 sticks and my system would not even post. I wound up loosing money having to purchase another set of 2x1gig sticks and selling my old ram.

I would suggest for you to use the current 1gig of ram you have now in another computer or sell it to help pay for the new 2gig set. You will be amazed how much faster BF2 will load up!

John C · Oct 28, 2006, 04:02 PM

Like I said I'm a big N00b when it comes to stuff like this ... I only use my PC to game on it.

How do I post my PC spects ? where can I ask them in windows ?

Also I woudn't count on it that my powersupply is any bigger then 320W, however, I'll need to open my PC to be sure of it(It is either 320 or less).

My pc currently has a 1Gb ram stick in it(not 2 of 512) and it only has one other slot, so I gues buying an other 1 Gb stick would be logical. money isn't a problem I have enough money right now to buy at new PC

. But the less it cost the better ofcourse

**temeteus82** · Oct 28, 2006, 04:46 PM

google: cpu-z
Install cpu-z and run it. The programm reports your cpu specs and some mobo info.

niceguyrichy · Oct 28, 2006, 04:53 PM

Belarc is a better bet, give us more info

John C · Oct 28, 2006, 10:23 PM

ok the rest of my spects are

3,20 gigahertz Intel Pentium 4
16 kilobyte primary memory cache
2048 kilobyte secondary memory cache

Board: MICRO-STAR INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD MS-7091
Bus Clock: 200 megahertz
BIOS: Phoenix Technologies, LTD 6.00 PG 01/27/2005

RADEON X850 XT [Display adapter]
RADEON X850 XT Secondary [Display adapter]

Bluetooth AV/HS Audio
C-Media High Definition Audio Device
Medion SAA7134, Hybrid Capture Device
Unimodem Half-Duplex-audioapparaat

Matth · Oct 29, 2006, 03:49 PM

Hmm, sounds like a Medion MD8386 upgraded with an X850XT - the original RAM would be Swissbit, DDR400 CAS 3. No point using anything better than CAS 3 memory unless replacing the existing memory with a pair of 1GB sticks.

Surprised the X850 runs, as there's no PCI-E power feed, and no spare molex ones for an adapter. Are you sure the X850 isn't going into a forced speed reduction?

Memory isn't a particularly heavy power user, but it might be the last straw.

Will 2Gb help... no idea, I'd be inclined to see if the community around whatever programs(s) you are concerned about favour > 1GB RAM. The FAQ suggests that 1GB is a lot better than 512MB, so maybe there is some scope for improvement by doubling again.

John C · Oct 29, 2006, 09:47 PM

Yes, I have a Medion computer, but I'm not sure about the type though.

The question that I realy have now is this one : Do I need to buy a better powersupply, and what type of it.

If I would buy a powersuppy wich is to big to my syystem, can it do any damage ?

Also I'm planning to buy an X1900 if the prices of those cards drops next year due to the uprising of the new DX10 generation cards.

So what type of powersupply does the community suggests ?

Matth · Oct 30, 2006, 03:40 PM

If it had an X740XL, then that's definitely an 8386

Stock PSU is a FSP350-60MDN, a 350W with an unusually high 19.5A rating on the +12V

Looks like a standard sized ATX block so anything should fit. It is not possible to have too much power.

John C · Oct 30, 2006, 04:24 PM

ok thx m8!

anyway, do I need to put in exactly the same RAmstick in it as the current one or doesn't the brand matter ?

Matth · Oct 31, 2006, 04:45 PM

One screwup that seems to occur, the existing memory has 3 SPD timing options (timings for DDR266, 333 & 400 working), When an additional pair with only two SPD timings are used, the memort speed can default incorrectly, requiring the use of manual timings.

The manual timings are accessed from the password protected F11 BIOS option, and the password is said to be:

am8888eg
am8888egh
am8888eg(and any letter)

PS. Join http://medion.adslweb.co.uk/ - the unofficial user forum - that's where I found the password.

Oct 28, 2006, 03:17 PM	#1
John C HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 77 Rep Power: 0	RAM question hi all I'm a big computer noob and I have a question about the RAM of my computer, and I think I'm at the right place I currently have 1024Mb 400 chache memory in my pc, and I intend to upgrate it to 2058 However I have a few quetions: 1) Is it acctualy any good or do you advice me to buy an other mem type 2) How big is the influence of RAM on a system ? Will it acctualy give me a preformance boost for games or won't it change that much ? (I realy have trouble with BF1942: FH when alot of players get extremly close to eachother with all kinds of vehicles, not many troubles with BF2 tough (check http://forgottenhope.bf1942files.com...lish&flash=yes if you don't know what BF1942 FH is) 3) does RAM need alot of power ? I think my powersupply is acctualy already toweak for my system(I changed my standard X740 for a X850XT wibouth changing my powersupply Prehaps you guys could also give adivice on my other PC spects My PC spects: 1024MB RAM 3.2 Ghz pocessor( with I believe 2Mb L1 4Mb L2 but I could be wrong) ATI 850XT card Last edited by John C; Oct 28, 2006 at 03:25 PM.

Oct 29, 2006, 03:49 PM	#7
Matth Flash Banner Hater Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,426 Rep Power: 93 System Specs	Hmm, sounds like a Medion MD8386 upgraded with an X850XT - the original RAM would be Swissbit, DDR400 CAS 3. No point using anything better than CAS 3 memory unless replacing the existing memory with a pair of 1GB sticks. Surprised the X850 runs, as there's no PCI-E power feed, and no spare molex ones for an adapter. Are you sure the X850 isn't going into a forced speed reduction? Memory isn't a particularly heavy power user, but it might be the last straw. Will 2Gb help... no idea, I'd be inclined to see if the community around whatever programs(s) you are concerned about favour > 1GB RAM. The FAQ suggests that 1GB is a lot better than 512MB, so maybe there is some scope for improvement by doubling again. __________________ Mary had a little lamb, Her father shot it dead Now Mary takes her lamb to school, Between two crusts of bread

Oct 30, 2006, 03:40 PM	#9
Matth Flash Banner Hater Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,426 Rep Power: 93 System Specs	If it had an X740XL, then that's definitely an 8386 Stock PSU is a FSP350-60MDN, a 350W with an unusually high 19.5A rating on the +12V Looks like a standard sized ATX block so anything should fit. It is not possible to have too much power. __________________ Mary had a little lamb, Her father shot it dead Now Mary takes her lamb to school, Between two crusts of bread

Oct 31, 2006, 04:45 PM	#11
Matth Flash Banner Hater Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,426 Rep Power: 93 System Specs	One screwup that seems to occur, the existing memory has 3 SPD timing options (timings for DDR266, 333 & 400 working), When an additional pair with only two SPD timings are used, the memort speed can default incorrectly, requiring the use of manual timings. The manual timings are accessed from the password protected F11 BIOS option, and the password is said to be: am8888eg am8888egh am8888eg(and any letter) PS. Join http://medion.adslweb.co.uk/ - the unofficial user forum - that's where I found the password. __________________ Mary had a little lamb, Her father shot it dead Now Mary takes her lamb to school, Between two crusts of bread

Oct 28, 2006, 03:29 PM	#2
Retarp DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 119 Rep Power: 0	Can you post your full computer specs? That way we can give better advice. When playing games, does your HDD activity light come on a lot? If so then a 2gig upgrade will make a huge difference. RAM itself does not use a lot of power. However, to use 2 gigs of ram, the motherboard's chipset has to do a LOT more work, thus power stability is critical. How big is your power supply? Depending on the number of drives & fans, you should be ok with a high quality 450w unit. There are a lot of problems when trying to get 2 sets of 1gig matched pairs to play nice. I tried with 4x512meg corsiar DDR400 sticks and my system would not even post. I wound up loosing money having to purchase another set of 2x1gig sticks and selling my old ram. I would suggest for you to use the current 1gig of ram you have now in another computer or sell it to help pay for the new 2gig set. You will be amazed how much faster BF2 will load up!

Oct 28, 2006, 04:02 PM	Thread Starter #3
John C HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 77 Rep Power: 0	Like I said I'm a big N00b when it comes to stuff like this ... I only use my PC to game on it. How do I post my PC spects ? where can I ask them in windows ? Also I woudn't count on it that my powersupply is any bigger then 320W, however, I'll need to open my PC to be sure of it(It is either 320 or less). My pc currently has a 1Gb ram stick in it(not 2 of 512) and it only has one other slot, so I gues buying an other 1 Gb stick would be logical. money isn't a problem I have enough money right now to buy at new PC . But the less it cost the better ofcourse

Oct 28, 2006, 10:23 PM	Thread Starter #6
John C HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 77 Rep Power: 0	ok the rest of my spects are 3,20 gigahertz Intel Pentium 4 16 kilobyte primary memory cache 2048 kilobyte secondary memory cache Board: MICRO-STAR INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD MS-7091 Bus Clock: 200 megahertz BIOS: Phoenix Technologies, LTD 6.00 PG 01/27/2005 RADEON X850 XT [Display adapter] RADEON X850 XT Secondary [Display adapter] Bluetooth AV/HS Audio C-Media High Definition Audio Device Medion SAA7134, Hybrid Capture Device Unimodem Half-Duplex-audioapparaat

Oct 29, 2006, 09:47 PM	Thread Starter #8
John C HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 77 Rep Power: 0	Yes, I have a Medion computer, but I'm not sure about the type though. The question that I realy have now is this one : Do I need to buy a better powersupply, and what type of it. If I would buy a powersuppy wich is to big to my syystem, can it do any damage ? Also I'm planning to buy an X1900 if the prices of those cards drops next year due to the uprising of the new DX10 generation cards. So what type of powersupply does the community suggests ?

Oct 30, 2006, 04:24 PM	Thread Starter #10
John C HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 77 Rep Power: 0	ok thx m8! anyway, do I need to put in exactly the same RAmstick in it as the current one or doesn't the brand matter ?