Mixing 128 with 256: RAM question

Factual Questions
1

Can you mix 128MB of RAM with 256MB of RAM on as Asus P2B-f motherboard?

I bought a 256MB SDRAM piece the other day and wanted to add it to my system. I currently have one piece of 128MB SDRAM. After I added the RAM and booted my computer, that first DOS screen listed my RAM as 384MB. It also
listed a message that said “Updating, EMI information, ESCD”. When Windows 98 loaded, I checked for the RAM settings in the Control Panel, and it too
said it was 384MB.

So it seems as my PC was recognizing my RAM. But I noticed two problems:

1/ The extra RAM didn’t seem to be making any noticeable speed difference. For instance, I timed the Win98 boot up (after I entered my Windows username/pass) at 28 seconds with 128MB, and 23 seconds with 384. Other tests I ran, just as opening up Photoshop and other big apps actually showed that my PC was slower with more RAM.

2/ The other problem was more annoying. Each and every time I tried to open the Control Panel from the Start menu, it took about 30 seconds for the Control Panel to open. During that time, my mouse still could move, but the Start button still looked like it was “pressed in”, yet I was able to open My Documents and others folders.

My initial suspicion was the RAM pieces were somehow conflicting. So I tried the 256MB alone in the first slot. Another time I added the 128MB in the second with it. Basically, I tried just about every combination, but always
with the same results. At this point, I think that the 256MB RAM is just no good for my PC.

Here is an overview of my setup:
Windows98 (first edition)
CPU: P2 350Mhz
Motherboard: Asus P2B-f (Bios 1008)
Bus: 100Mhz
RAM Slot 0: 128MB
RAM Slot 1: empty
RAM Slot 2: 256MB
RAM Slot 3: empty

Here is some info on the RAM pieces:

128MB 100Mhz RAM

  • it has 8 rectangle things on each side, for a total of 16
  • it has the following markings on it: 9902 MT TG
  • it also has these markings: 1-1 48LC8M8A2 -8E B
  • and it has a sticker that says: PC100 Q-165D64
  • I ran a diagnostic, but the brand was unknown

256MB 100Mhz RAM

  • it has 8 rectangle things on each side, for a total of 16
  • it has the following markings on it: 0050 MT TG
  • it also has these markings: 1-1 48LC16M8A2 -8E E
  • I ran a diagnostic, but the brand was “Zentrum”
  • Serial number was 4294967295

Also, the 256 is slightly wider than the 128. That is, when the RAMs are in the motherboard, it protrudes a bit more(maybe 1/4 inch higher).

BTW, I ran the Ontrack Data Advisor 5.0 hardware test on my RAM and it found no problems.

2

Firstly: Not all ram is created equal. Not all P100 SDRAM is created equal. This particular motherboard seems to use SPD (serial presence detect) to determine memory timings…it’s entirely possible that the 256MB isn’t answering the query correctly and the system is defaulting to a slower memory timing. You can try going into your bios and overriding the default settings, but I’m going going to begin to guess what to set them to. Oh, and no diagnostic is going to pick up on this, you’d have to actually run a memory subsystem speed test.

What I, personally do when guessing new settings (insert standard disclaimer here) is to put a boot floppy in the drive, set everything to “fastest”, and see if it boots. If it does, and stays up for 10 minutes, then I try booting to Windows. If it doesn’t, I start adjusting things down.

Secondly, more memory will not make “everything” faster. System bootup may even be slower (as part of bootup is a memory test, and you have more memory to test). Starting an individual program would probably not be any faster. Starting your fifth concurrent program would be.

Thirdly, it may take some tuning. Search for a utility that will let you control things like “disk cache settings”. Windows has this annoying habit of using all your free memory as disk cache, and not shrinking the disk cache when PROGRAMS need that memory.

LordVor

3

your system booting up is not going to be affected by the amount of ram in your system – programs that run will be…you should should see an imporvement in what you do on the system, not how quickly you get into windows

4

i wish that all computer questions on this board ( or any board for that matter ) would be accompanied with config details such as yours. amazing. really.

"- it also has these markings: 1-1 48LC8M8A2 -8E B " might just hold the answer :slight_smile: just kiddin’ :slight_smile:

ok…here’s my $0.02.

i recently switched from 128MB to 256MB and found no noticable differneces, even after the “fifth concurrent program”. I also experienced some slowdown in the speed at which new explorer windows are opened. But this could be because of added junk and other setting changes i made after adding the new ram. My feeling is that if i had to format the computer and choose reasonably optimal (oxymoron?) settings, i would end up with a slightly faster comp. with more RAM than i would with less, but i refuse to format. i mean i’d have to add the SDMB to my favourites folder all over again. and i’m just too lazy.

so here’s a few more cents :

  1. switching from 64MB to 128MB makes WAY WAY more of a difference than switching from 128MB to 256MB, or any upward combo.

  2. If the speeds of the 2 RAM chips differ, e.g. if one is PC100 and the other is PC133, then both will work at the slower speed, i.e. at 100Mhz. Ofcourse, this is not for you since you’ve mentioned that both your RAM pieces were 100Mhz, this is for the others that are brwosing through and might be interested in these kinda questions, since i’ve picked up a shitload of info from the SDMB that did not neccessarily answer the OP :slight_smile:

  3. Try another OS :slight_smile:

5

I forgot exactly what the numbers mean but even similar brands and speeds of a stick of RAM can differ. Both can be run on a 100 Mhz bus but they can have different CAS ratings. I don’t know exactly what it means but it does make a difference. I think it has something to do w/ the speed it responds or something. Like 6 nanoseconds versus 5.5 or 5 nanoseconds.

6

Keep in mind that Windows 98 can’t use more than 128 megs of RAM. You could have ten gigs of RAM, but Win98 wouldn’t be able to use more than 128.

Maybe it’s about time to upgrade the rest of your system… processor and motherboard.