RAM upgrade

[Kiwini]

Hi all,

I want to up upgrade from my 64MB of RAM to 256. Here the problem: when I use SiSoft Sandra and run the "Mainboard Information", it says: Maximum Installable Memory 96MB, Maximum Module Size 32MB.

My motherboard user manual (Gigabyte GA-6BXC) says "The main board can be installed with 8/16/32/64/128/256 MB 168 pins DIMM module... ...the total memory size is 8 MB ~ 768 MB". So, what gives here?

My computer is overclocked, 300 Celeron to 374, if that makes any difference. I would appreciate any help. Will a BIOs(flash) upgrade be necessary?

TIA

[bassman]

Hello Kiwini and welcome,
We have seen many times here recently where Sandra reported incorrectly. The safest bet is your manual. If it says 256 max per slot, then go for it.


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Please let us know if what we suggest helps. This helps us help you better.

[ranchdog]

Have to agree with bassman on this one.

Use the Mboard manual as your Bible.

See you are going for an upgrade to 256MB RAM.

See you have the Front Side Bus speed bumped up a little.

What I would do if I were wearing your Nike's is use (2) two sticks of quality 128Mb PC133 SDRAM. PC133 is backward compatable and will help compensate for the increase you have in FSB.

Is a BIOS upgrade needed? Not at this point.

Luck.

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......Indecision may or may not be my problem......
...... Kickin' A Rock....

[Kiwini]

Please excuse my ignorance, but I went to Crucial to check prices and was give a bunch of memory to choose from. I looked at the "Detailed Specifications" page and the "Explanation of Memory Terms" and from what I can gather I need one of the folowing:

256MB
SDRAM, PC100 • CL=2 • Unbuffered • Non-parity • 8ns • 3.3V • 32Meg x 64

256MB
SDRAM, PC133 • CL=2 • Unbuffered • Non-parity • 7.5ns • 3.3V • 32Meg x 64

256MB
SDRAM, PC133 • CL=3 • Unbuffered • Non-parity • 7.5ns • 3.3V • 32Meg x 64

or 2 of either of these:

128MB
SDRAM, PC133 • CL=2 • Unbuffered • Non-parity • 7.5ns • 3.3V • 16Meg x 64

128MB
SDRAM, PC133 • CL=3 • Unbuffered • Non-parity • 7.5ns • 3.3V • 16Meg x 64

as ranchdog suggested. Which is the best way to go. If I go the two banks of 128 route which is more appropriate for my system CL2 or CL3? And could someone please explain 7.5ns, 8ns.

Thanks again for your help.
K

[iisbob]

The Cl is { cass latency } latency-basicly the time it takes for the memory chip to refresh, 3 is best for stability. The 7.5/8 ns is speed ( in nanoseconds )-in this case the lower the no# (7.5 ) the faster the data transfer of the memory.

I would suggest you peruse the PC Guides' excellant tutorial on memory-this will give you some clearer understanding of how it works.

As for your choice; i would say go with two of these 128MB
SDRAM, PC133 • CL=3 • Unbuffered • Non-parity • 7.5ns • 3.3V • 16Meg x 64




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iisbob
"Bachelors should be heavily taxed. It's not fair that some men should be happier than others."
-- Oscar Wilde

[iisbob]

double post http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif

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iisbob
"Bachelors should be heavily taxed. It's not fair that some men should be happier than others."
-- Oscar Wilde

[bassman]

Strongly Agree with Bob on this. If your board will read CL3, then that is the way to go.

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Please let us know if what we suggest helps. This helps us help you better.

[Kiwini]

Thank you very much for your help everyone. I'll let you know how it goes.

Kiwini

[Vic 970]

I was just about to order a 256mb stick, so what's the advantage of 2 x 128 sticks.?

system originally had 64 mb pc 100

128 mb pc 133 added. giving 192 mb

proposed another 256 mb pc 133

(AMD Duron 750)

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for every question there's an answer. Then a load more questions.

Regards..,
Vic.

[chanant]

Just wondering, with RAM so cheap these days, how much should a person upgrade without wasting? For example, I have a Dell PIII 450 and recently upgraded from 160 meg to 416 meg, cost for the new 256 was only C$32.00, should I uprade it more? I guess it is kind of depends on the type of usages.

Regards

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[iisbob]

It is a bit more complex than that; it mainly depends on your hardware and it's capabilities-and the Operating system you're using.

Most mother boards won't support more than 768mb's of memory ( 256*3) and windows 95/98/ME have problems recognizing and utilizing 512mb's > without some tweaking.

Today i would say 256mb's is a good round sum for most memory usages, if you however do a lot of video or music editing ( or gaming ) i would go for at least 512mb's; preferably on a DDR board.




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iisbob
"Bachelors should be heavily taxed. It's not fair that some men should be happier than others."
-- Oscar Wilde