Memory upgrade

[lopdog]

I have an old P4 3.0 Ghz computer running Windows XP with 1GB ram (2x512MB). Now I want to install Windows 7, and I'd like to add more ram.
How much ram should I get? And what speed should I get?

 

[dividebyzero]

Your motherboard is 0M3918 which is a proprietry (peculiar) to Dell - 4 DIMM slots would allow you to upgrade to a maximum of 4 x 1Gb of DDR2-400 and -533. RAM must be 1.8volt as you wont be able to increase RAM voltage thanks to Dell's near useless BIOS.
Suitable RAM would include :
Corsair VS2GBKIT533D2 (2 x 1Gb) DDR2-533 (4-4-4-12-2T timings, 1.8v)
Crucial CT908120 (2 x 1Gb) DDR2-533 (5-5-5-15-2T timings , 1.8v)
Kingston KTD-DM8400/1G (1Gb single module) DDR2-400, 1.8v
KIngston KTD-DM8400A/1G (1Gb single module) DDR2-533, 1.8v
A-Data Vitesta DDR2-533 here http://www.adata-group.com/en/product_show.php?ProductNo=AD2533U
Super Talent DDR2-400/-533 here http://www.supertalent.com/products/desktop_memory.php?reg=N&mtid=2

At least some of these should be available to you.

 

[lopdog]

Thanks for extensive reply, I'll see what I can get. Is DDR2-533 the fastest I can use?

 

[compdata]

Yes DDR2-533 is the fastest your motherboard supports. Memory speed matters some, but it is less then you might think. Adding more memory will certainly help you, but you are definitely pushing the limits of your older computer.

Your graphics chip is going to probably be your most major issue with running all of Win7. Looks like you have a ATI Radeon X300 which has known driver computability issues with Win 7. I would look into this a little more if I were you before pulling the trigger here. It wasn't exactly clear to me but it looks like people can run win7 just not Aero. Although i found one post from someone claiming to have solved that (http://it-nthusiast.blogspot.com/2009/12/ati-radeon-x300-aero-on-windows-7vista.html).

 

[Tedster]

read my ram guide in the guides forum

 

[lopdog]

Your graphics chip is going to probably be your most major issue with running all of Win7. Looks like you have a ATI Radeon X300 which has known driver computability issues with Win 7. I would look into this a little more if I were you before pulling the trigger here. It wasn't exactly clear to me but it looks like people can run win7 just not Aero. Although i found one post from someone claiming to have solved that (http://it-nthusiast.blogspot.com/2009/12/ati-radeon-x300-aero-on-windows-7vista.html).

Windows 7 runs fine (not very fast, but it works) with Aero.

To add more ram, could I get something like this?

KINGSTON 2048MB (2x1024MB) 533MHZ DDR2 DIMM NON-ECC CL4 (KIT OF 2)

I plan to add this to the existing 1GB ram, to make a total of 3GB, since memory is cheap.

 

[compdata]

that should work in your system, however you are going to be limited to the PC-3200 or 400Mhz DDR2 RAM speed as that is what your current RAM is running at, so you may be able to find a slightly cheaper slower RAM.

 

[compdata]

Actually take that back, i just did some quick searches and it looks like a premium is being charged for older slower RAM. You "Should" be able to use pretty much any DDR2 RAM in your system as the BIOS should just limit its speed and latency settings to the max it can support, so you should be fine with that.

Just found this 2GB kit on amazon for $48 with free shipping. Not top of the line memory, but should work great in your system, and Amazon is really great about returning items if for some chance ( i give you ~95% chance your bios will work correctly) they don't work.

http://www.amazon.com/PNY-Channel-P...?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1264426347&sr=8-14