Memory

batfeld · **Memory -** 09-24-2012, 23:16 | posts: 3

Hi,

I'm looking to add more memory to my XPS 430 system but i'm not sure exactly what i need to be looking for in terms of compatibility.

Currently i have 3GB of memory and was thinking of replacing the lot with 2x2GB (32bit Vista here), but i've located a 4GB stick and was wondering if it's possible to run it on my XPS 430.

Old RAM-

3x DDR3 PC3-8500F (533MHz)

New RAM-

4GB DDR3 PC3-8500 1066MHz

This is the closest and cheapest i can find spec wise based on my limited knowledge and experience. Would i be ok to go ahead and install this RAM?

Or is it simply not that...simple...

Ta.

BLEH! · **Memory**: 24GB @ 1600 @ 9-10-9-27

You can try it, see what happens. At worst, it won't boot (hopefully), at best, it'll work fine. Memory has what's called SPD (Serial Presence Detect) which tells the motherboard what speed it's capable of running at, timings, etc. Most good, fast RAM is capable of running slow (in fact it's required to be able to), so it should slow down to 533 MHz to cope with your system.

batfeld · 09-25-2012, 00:04 | posts: 3

Hi Bleh, sorry, i think i misinformed, i have yet to purchase the 4GB stick.

Basically i'm trying to maximize on the systems RAM capabilities. I'm aware a 32bit OS can't utilize more than 4GB, that's where it ends for me.

Also i want to avoid Dell if posssible, i bought the comp from there, but i'd like to go elsewhere for my RAM upgrade. It's just where to start..

XBEAST · 09-25-2012, 07:05 | posts: 1,442 | Location: Unknown

You now have 3GB and want to replace them with 4GB?

If so, how many memory slots are there and what configuration current RAM use? (2x1GB + 1GB, 3x1GB?)

thatguy91 · *Last edited by thatguy91; 09-25-2012 at 07:24.*

Actually on 32 bit OS he will get absolutely no benefit at all going from 3GB to 4GB. 32-bit is 4GB max, that includes all the address space, including the video card. It doesn't say whether the video card is a 512MB or 1GB version. If it is a 512MB version, there may be an extra 200MB system RAM availability with 4GB. If it is a 1GB video card, there will be none whatsoever.

On top of that, the system is DDR2 RAM, you can't go to DDR3 RAM!

(not trying to sound harsh at all

)

jayman · **Memory -** 09-25-2012, 07:28 | posts: 46

Yes it will be fine to install 2 stick of 1066MHz of ram, you should have no problem, just don't add them with the other ram you have now,, take them out. Good-luck...

P.S You motherboard should have 4 memory slots so it's better to run 2 2GB 2x2 sticks then just 1 (dual channel) with 1 stick you'll have single channel plus I don't think the memory slots will support 4GB stick, 8GB 4x2GB max...

XBEAST · 09-25-2012, 07:31 | posts: 1,442 | Location: Unknown

Quote:

Originally Posted by thatguy91

Actually on 32 bit OS he will get absolutely no benefit at all going from 3GB to 4GB. 32-bit is 4GB max, that includes all the address space, including the video card. It doesn't say whether the video card is a 512MB or 1GB version. If it is a 512MB version, there may be an extra 200MB system RAM availability with 4GB. If it is a 1GB video card, there will be none whatsoever.

On top of that, the system is DDR2 RAM, you can't go to DDR3 RAM!

(not trying to sound harsh at all

)

He could install x64 tho.

His system has 1066MHz DDR3 (PC3-8500).

HamsterCrispy · 09-25-2012, 08:56 | posts: 761 | Location: Pacific Ring of Fire

The Dell XPS 430 uses DDR3 RAM.

Quote:

Originally Posted by batfeld

Old RAM-

3x DDR3 PC3-8500F (533MHz)

CPUID programs, such as CPU-Z or AIDA64, shows the frequency in halves. 1066 would show as 533 in such programs. Much like GPU-Z shows half the effective memory frequency.

alanm · 09-25-2012, 10:10 | posts: 4,961

Quote:

Originally Posted by thatguy91

Actually on 32 bit OS he will get absolutely no benefit at all going from 3GB to 4GB. 32-bit is 4GB max, that includes all the address space, including the video card. It doesn't say whether the video card is a 512MB or 1GB version. If it is a 512MB version, there may be an extra 200MB system RAM availability with 4GB. If it is a 1GB video card, there will be none whatsoever.

On top of that, the system is DDR2 RAM, you can't go to DDR3 RAM!

(not trying to sound harsh at all

)

Agreed, if 32 bit, theres no point in going from 3gb to 4gb. You will only get something like 3.2gb max usable due to hardware address allocations.

The system - depending on motherboard - can be DDR3.

batfeld · 09-25-2012, 15:22 | posts: 3

Thanks for the replies guys...

Motherboard has 4 RAM slots total, and my GFX card has 512mb onboard.

So there will be pretty much nothing gained by upping 3GB to 4GB - instead i should be thinking of upgrading my OS to 64bit to really feel the benefit of extra RAM, gotcha.

Well i was thinking of buying a new graphics card...

So lets say for the moment i stuck with 32bit OS, and i went with atleast 1GB onboard with the new card, would i see a big improvement performance wise? The card would give me an extra 512mb onboard, plus the crappy 4GB RAM upgrade...

Or, second option, upgrade to 64bit and keep my current card with 512MB and completely max out on RAM...

Which of the two would you recommend?

Ji1986 · 09-25-2012, 22:43 | posts: 820 | Location: Australia

dont bother getting a new graphics card, unless you plan on overclocking you CPU and your cpu will bottleneck the GPU.

If you need more ram because you use programs that require a lot of RAM then go the 64bit OS and get more RAM.

INSTG8R · 09-25-2012, 23:18 | posts: 1,188 | Location: Lost in Norway

You should be looking for a pair of 2GB sticks not a single 4GB stick so you can at least benefit from Dual Channel. Your at least lucky it supports DDR3 as it's very cheap to buy right now.

HamsterCrispy · 09-26-2012, 03:02 | posts: 761 | Location: Pacific Ring of Fire

Quote:

Originally Posted by batfeld

Thanks for the replies guys...

Motherboard has 4 RAM slots total, and my GFX card has 512mb onboard.

So there will be pretty much nothing gained by upping 3GB to 4GB - instead i should be thinking of upgrading my OS to 64bit to really feel the benefit of extra RAM, gotcha.

Well i was thinking of buying a new graphics card...

So lets say for the moment i stuck with 32bit OS, and i went with atleast 1GB onboard with the new card, would i see a big improvement performance wise? The card would give me an extra 512mb onboard, plus the crappy 4GB RAM upgrade...

Or, second option, upgrade to 64bit and keep my current card with 512MB and completely max out on RAM...

Which of the two would you recommend?

It really depends on what you use the computer for. If you are looking for increase in game performance, then upgrading your RAM from 3GB to 4GB will not yield any "significant" in game performance. Loading times may be a tad faster but that would be it. Even I haven't felt any improvement in gaming since I upgraded from 3GB to 6GB.

And about what you said about adding 512 MB onboard RAM to your 512 MB RAM on your 4850. I don't think that would really be helpful. Vista and Windows 7 makes you think that your video card and RAM can share memory but it actually makes no difference at all.

Proof? My GTX 460 is the 768 MB version, but Windows 7 says it has 3GB+ of RAM under My Computer properties, DXDIAG, and Nvidia control panel. But when I play Battlefield 3 with everything maxed out, my GPU memory usage stops at 768 MB and makes the game unplayable.

So yeah, its some crap that Vista and 7 are making you think that your VRAM can get some help with your onboard RAM.