RAM - who, where what, how much...

[A Twig]

Right, rekon it's time to boost me RAM. I've tried the crucial scan, but due to having firefox I had to download a scanner, which doesn't work on my PC for some reason.
I haven't a clue what motherboard I've got, or what the existing RAM is. So....
1) How can I find out using something that isn't crucial scan
2) What brands should/shouldn't I be looking out for
3) How much should I get? Doing a fair amount of Digital Image Processing, CAD and other stuff so thinking 8 gig?
 
Cheers
 

[Penfold]

Run the scanner through IE ?

[A Twig]

There is no IE on my machine, and I don't really want to install it, just to run a scanner...

[Tutonic]

Sandra - http://www.sisoftware.net - might be able to tell you which motherboard you're using.

Are you using a 64-bit operating system? If not, then 4GB is your max.

[A Twig]

Indiddly I am 64 bit, which I chose with this ram upgrade in mind, ideally would like 8 Gig, but cost will definitely be the dictating factor...

[Snokio]

I emailed Crucial to find what ram was compatible for my laptop as it wasn't picking anything up when searching on the make and model of the laptop, scan didn't work either, but they emailed back gaving me a link to the options of ram I could buy, and it worked , so you can try emailing them

[T-Bag]

For CAD you'll want more than 4GB. Less will work, but 8GB would be ideal. If your mother board has 4 ram slots this is easy. 2x(2x2GB - matched pairs) and run the thing in dual channel. It'll be cheap and easy. If you list the CPU you have (and the pin configuration if it's an AMD - eg 754, 939, AM2 etc) we can tell you if it's DDR 1 or DDR 2. Or if you open your computer and take a picture of the RAM and the motherboard we can suggest options base on the type and number of ram slots.

[A Twig]

Right, here is my PC according to Sandra, I've only left in what I think is relevant:

Code Select Expand

Computer

Mainboard
Platform Compliance : AMD LIVE!
Manufacturer : alienware
Multi-Processor (MP) Support : No
MPS Version : 1.40
Model : alienware
Version : 2
Serial Number : 1
BIOS : 02/08/2007-alienware-6A61HP22C-00
Chipset : nVidia nForce 6100/6150 MCP

Computer Memory Controller
Location : Mainboard
Error Correction Capability : None
Number of Memory Slots : 4
Maximum Installable Memory : 16GB
Bank0/1 - A0 : None None None None DIMM 1GB/64
Bank2/3 - A1 : None None None None DIMM 1GB/64
Bank4/5 - A2 : Empty
Bank6/7 - A3 : Empty

Chipset
Model : AMD Athlon 64 / Opteron HT Hub
Revision : A1
Bus : HyperTransport
Version : 1.02
Front Side Bus Speed : 2x 1GHz (2GHz)
Maximum FSB Speed : 2x 1GHz (2GHz)
In/Out Width : 16-bit / 16-bit
I/O Queue Depth : 3 request(s)
Maximum Bus Bandwidth : 7.85GB/s

Chipset 1 Hub Interface
Type : HyperTransport
Version : 1.02
In/Out Width : 16-bit / 16-bit
Multiplier : 5x
Speed : 2x 1GHz (2GHz)

Logical/Chipset Memory Banks
Bank 0 : 1GB DIMM DDR2 5-5-5-18 3-23-6-3 2T
Bank 1 : 1GB DIMM DDR2 5-5-5-18 3-23-6-3 2T
Supported Memory Types : ECC DIMM Registered DDR2 ChipKill
Channels : 2
Bank Interleave : 2-way
Memory Bus Speed : 2x 373MHz (746MHz)
Maximum Memory Speed : 2x 400MHz (800MHz)
Multiplier : 1/7x
Width : 64-bit
Integrated in Processor : Yes
Cores per Memory Controller : 2 Unit(s)
Refresh Rate : 7.80Ã,µs
Power Save Mode : Yes
Fixed Hole Present : No
Maximum Memory Bus Bandwidth : 11.66GB/s

APIC 1
Version : 1.01
Maximum Interrupts : 24
IRQ Handler Engaged : Yes
Enhanced Support : Yes

Memory Module
Manufacturer : Corsair
Model : CM2X1024-6400
Type : 1GB DIMM DDR2
Technology : 16x(64Mx8)
Speed : PC2-6400U DDR2-800
Standard Timings : 5-5-5-18 3-22-6-3
Version : 1.02
Date of Manufacture : 16 July 2006
Memory DC Line : 1.80V
Timing @ 400MHz : 5-5-5-18 3-22-6-3
Timing @ 270MHz : 4-3-3-12 2-15-4-2

Memory Module
Manufacturer : Corsair
Model : CM2X1024-6400
Type : 1GB DIMM DDR2
Technology : 16x(64Mx8)
Speed : PC2-6400U DDR2-800
Standard Timings : 5-5-5-18 3-22-6-3
Version : 1.02
Date of Manufacture : 16 July 2006
Memory DC Line : 1.80V
Timing @ 400MHz : 5-5-5-18 3-22-6-3
Timing @ 270MHz : 4-3-3-12 2-15-4-2
So in theory I can have up to 16GB RAM!?

Basically, I want 8GB really, so is 4 x 2 better that 2 x 4? I'm going to have to junk the existing 1GB sticks aren't I?

[Carr0t]

yeah. You're probably going to want to dump those 2 1GB sticks, and get 2x (2x 2GB matched pair) DDR2. Or you might only want to get 1 matched pair for 4GB RAM, and then only buy another pair only if you see yourself reaching your RAM limit. Most people in new machines are shifting to DDR3 now, so it's not like you're likely to be able to move it to a new machine a year down the line or whatever. No point in paying for an extra 4GB you're not going to make use of, and postage for a matched pair of RAM sticks is naff all.

[A Twig]

And the max speed I can get with that set up is 800Mhz?
 
So what's the cause of the Ã,£13ish difference between:
 
4GB (2x2GB) CorsairValue Select, DDR2 PC2-6400 (800), 240 Pins, Non-ECC Unbuffered, CAS 5-5-5-18 - Ã,£73.19
 
4GB (2x2GB) Corsair TwinX XMS2, DDR2 PC2-6400 (800), 240 Pins, Non-ECC Unbuffered, CAS 5-5-5-18, DHX - Ã,£86.99

[kregoron]

afaik, the difference is that the XMS2 has heatspreaders, which decreases module temp which increases stability

[Dingo]

And the max speed I can get with that set up is 800Mhz?
 
So what's the cause of the Ã,£13ish difference between:
 
4GB (2x2GB) CorsairValue Select, DDR2 PC2-6400 (800), 240 Pins, Non-ECC Unbuffered, CAS 5-5-5-18 - Ã,£73.19
 
4GB (2x2GB) Corsair TwinX XMS2, DDR2 PC2-6400 (800), 240 Pins, Non-ECC Unbuffered, CAS 5-5-5-18, DHX - Ã,£86.99

Overclockability......the value select will do timings as stated but may struggle to do more whereas the XMS are very clockable potentially up to 15-20% of stated speeds.

[A Twig]

Right, cheers all, just 7 days till payday, then I shall get ordering!

[Carr0t]

Bear in mind that there's little point in getting overclockable modules unless your motherboard is able to overclock them. It being (from what I can see from those specs) an alienware, i'd be very surprised if you *couldn't* o/c stuff, but always best to check.

[A Twig]

I'm hoping that my parent's company will suddenly and conveniently decide that they need to upgrade some RAM, which then will then not fit any of their machines so they'll have to give it to me :devil: :devil: :devil:

Which should then neatly cover the price difference between the two...

At which point I will suddenly remember that I was overpaid by them a year or two ago, and offer to pay the money back now...