I am looking at upgrading my computer’s RAM (currently 256MB).
A hopefully simple question; can I mix and match sizes?
IOW, can I add 512 for a total of 768, or can I only put another 256 unit in? Would it be better to take out the existing 256 and add a single 512 or even 1 GB (obviously 1 GB would be better than 768 MB, but what I mean is one module better than 2)?
My computer has an open slot and the board can handle 2048 total, so I’m OK there.
Also, why is a single 1GB module considerably more expensive than 2-512s? That leads me to believe that a single unit is better than 2, but I’l leave that to the experts (i.e. you).
Yes, typically the manual will detail the allowable RAM moduler sizes, but combining 256/512/1 gig is generally hassle free as long as the memory is properly specd for the machine.
You can keep the 256 and add a 512. Just make sure that the 512 matches the specification on the 256 (eg. PC2700). I don’t believe that a single 1 GB RAM module is much better than 2 512’s. I think the price descrepany is simply due to the fact that the production and demand is much higher for 512 modules bringing the price down to the sweet spot.
I think the 1 GB ram chipsets are so much more expensive than 2 x 512mb because with them, you get an entire Gigabyte of RAM on one chipset, instead of using up two DIMM sockets.
So, if you have 4 DIMMs, you can potentially have 4 GB of RAM. If you need that much you’re probably running a business, and business-related hardware (and software for that matter) are usually far more expensive than consumer goods. I guess the theory is “if you’re making money with this computer, share a little of the weath with us (the manufacturers)”.
Just out of curiousity, what OS are you running? I’m sure most people are running Windows 2000 or newer, but Windows 98, 98SE, and ME only support a little over 512M.