Memory Upgrade

[kingofgrills]

I am trying to upgrade the memory in my from 2 GB in order to improve its performance, and I could really use some help.

My Gateway GM5420 tower has 2 DDR 2 slots, with each currently holding a 1GB 240 pin DDR2 533MHz (PC2 4200) module (2GB total). My processor is a Intel Core 2 Duo 1.86. I am also running Windows Vista 32-bit, which uses a max of 4 GBs. The manual says I can install a max of 8 GBs (4GB in each slot). I assume there would be no real benefit for me to upgrade beyond 4 GBs, right?

My biggest question has to do with memory speed. My current memory runs at 533 MHz, and my data bus speed is 1066 MHz. Do I need to keep my new memory modules at 533 MHz, or can I use modules with a higher clock speed? Is it better to stick with 533?

[BLindsay]

Originally Posted by kingofgrills

I am trying to upgrade the memory in my from 2 GB in order to improve its performance, and I could really use some help.

My Gateway GM5420 tower has 2 DDR 2 slots, with each currently holding a 1GB 240 pin DDR2 533MHz (PC2 4200) module (2GB total). My processor is a Intel Core 2 Duo 1.86. I am also running Windows Vista 32-bit, which uses a max of 4 GBs. The manual says I can install a max of 8 GBs (4GB in each slot). I assume there would be no real benefit for me to upgrade beyond 4 GBs, right?

My biggest question has to do with memory speed. My current memory runs at 533 MHz, and my data bus speed is 1066 MHz. Do I need to keep my new memory modules at 533 MHz, or can I use modules with a higher clock speed? Is it better to stick with 533?

With the 32bit version of windows (vista, xp or 7) 4GB is the max but you will actually see a bit less, like 3.5GB or so. So while your mobo can handle more your o/s cant.

If you get higher than 533mhz it really wont be of any benefit but it wont hurt either, get whatever is the best deal

[kingofgrills]

Originally Posted by BLindsay

With the 32bit version of windows (vista, xp or 7) 4GB is the max but you will actually see a bit less, like 3.5GB or so. So while your mobo can handle more your o/s cant.

If you get higher than 533mhz it really wont be of any benefit but it wont hurt either, get whatever is the best deal

Blindsay, thank you for your help. With the memory speed, I just wanted to make sure a higher clock speed wouldn't cause stability issues or any other problems to occur.

Thanks!

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by kingofgrills

Blindsay, thank you for your help. With the memory speed, I just wanted to make sure a higher clock speed wouldn't cause stability issues or any other problems to occur.

Thanks!

If you get memory with a higher clock speed it should be backwards compatible, e.g. it would only run at 533 MHz due to the limitations of your hardware.

According to Gateway's site, the GM5420 has 4 DDR2 DIMM slots (4 sticks of memory; 2GB each)

http://support.gateway.com/s/PC/R/10...14159sp3.shtml

Do you have plans to upgrade to a 64-bit OS on this machine?

[supersix4]

More importantly do you know how to get to the slots to upgrade them? Some are very tricky where you have to pull the keyboards up to get to the memory slots.

http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/


They make a great program that tells you exactly what you need (even though you seem to have a good handle on it.

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by supersix4

More importantly do you know how to get to the slots to upgrade them? Some are very tricky where you have to pull the keyboards up to get to the memory slots.

He actually has a desktop, not a laptop. The hardware reference guide can be found here:

http://support.gateway.com/us/en/pro...1&modelId=2711

Originally Posted by supersix4

http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/

They make a great program that tells you exactly what you need (even though you seem to have a good handle on it.

Crucial is showing that the mobo will actually accept up to 8 GB DDR2 PC2-5300 or 4 GB DDR2 PC2-6400. This isn't surprising since it's not uncommon for manufacturer's to under report the specs ... sounds like the memory can actually run at 667 MHz and 800 MHz.

http://www.crucial.com/store/listpar...GM5420&Cat=RAM

[Offender_Mullet]

kingofgrills,

Tighter (a.k.a. lower) timings are more important than mhz speed for memory, so be sure to look a those specs as well.

[basserx]

I would think if you game it would be beneficial to run 1066 to match your FSB.
I run my processor and memory overclocked anyways. As said 4gb memory is plenty to run Windows 32 the only benefit for a larger memory upgrade if you switched to 64 or maybe Windows 7.

[spaceape]

The question is if it's worth it to upgrade. You can try disabling some services and shutting startup programs off in msconfig. Imo if you only have a video card with directx 9 or lower and/or your hardware is many years old stick with xp. If your hardware is relatively new and your card support directx 10 and 11 use windows 7. Xp might not be as pretty as seven but it doesnt use up as many resources either.

The easy way by pre made regs:
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/registry.htm

http://www.blackviper.com/Windows_7/registry.htm

Or disable even more by making a reg yourself:
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/customREG.htm

http://www.blackviper.com/Windows_7/customREG.htm