Upgrading RAM Memory

[sdhoey]

I have a Gateway DX4710-09, It came with 6GB DDR2 RAM. MY hard drive memory is 640 GB, That's not the problem. My Graphics card has been upgraded by me. How possible would it be to upgrade the RAM? And How much is safe to go up in GB's?

During my game play lately, I have min. the window and opened the task manager and looked at the processes. Non game, it uses around 1.5-2 gigs, then going into game, it goes into around 2.8 - 3.6 gigs. When I try to travel now, It shoots up to around 4.5 or higher. Sometimes never completely finishes opening the game in the destination.

I know I can do the upgrade myself, just need to the safest size and what knots.

Thanks in Advance
Shannon

[thesweetestpea]

How many DIMM slots (the long ones with clips that the DDR2 cards fit into) does your computer have, and is your current 6GB RAM one card or more than one? When you're shopping, if you have one less than your limit of cards, you're better off just buying an entire new set because your upgrade space is limited. Always make sure that the DIMM cards are as close to identical as you can get them and have the same amount of RAM, and buy in person if you can. If you have a manual for your computer, it should have information on how you upgrade. I don't know how many slots your computer has, but there's usually a pre-specified order that the cards go in, and you may not be able to get all of your slots filled and have the computer recognize them. My school's tutorial machines have 4 DIMM slots, but only three can be used at once.

[sdhoey]

I found a site that has tool that scans your BIOS and I have 4 slots, in those slots I have 2gbs, 2gbs, 1gb, and 1gb. The tool suggest upgrading the 2/1gb cards with 2/2gbs bringing the RAM to 8 gb. The cards I can get the kit for $30 at best buy. Does the upgrade info the suggest sound right? I know the cards are just plug and go.

[thesweetestpea]

I found a site that has tool that scans your BIOS and I have 4 slots, in those slots I have 2gbs, 2gbs, 1gb, and 1gb. The tool suggest upgrading the 2/1gb cards with 2/2gbs bringing the RAM to 8 gb. The cards I can get the kit for $30 at best buy. Does the upgrade info the suggest sound right? I know the cards are just plug and go.

You should try to match the cards you have in as closely as possible, mismatched cards can cause reading errors and get cards corrupted (some are sensitive to radio noise and some aren't, some are more volatile than others, and so on). The preference among my teachers and people in the industry seems to be to use the smallest number of cards possible, with the largest quantity of RAM, but that's a personal choice. I would say either buy two of the same type of 2GB cards you already have, or get 2 4GB cards and replace the whole lot. I would be wary of buying sticks from Best Buy and similar places, because they'll probably be refurbished or used chips. Make sure you always buy RAM where the dates on the chips (should be visible when you look at the chip, if not then don't buy them) are close to each other and none of them are more than a year old. If the chips don't look shiny or you can scratch them, then they're refurbished. Refurbished and used chips often get corrupted when combined with new chips, and they can mess up your entire computer. If you do get two 4GB cards and replace all of your cards, make sure those two go where the 2GB cards were on your old setup. Otherwise you should be fine.

[sdhoey]

You should try to match the cards you have in as closely as possible, mismatched cards can cause reading errors and get cards corrupted (some are sensitive to radio noise and some aren't, some are more volatile than others, and so on). The preference among my teachers and people in the industry seems to be to use the smallest number of cards possible, with the largest quantity of RAM, but that's a personal choice. I would say either buy two of the same type of 2GB cards you already have, or get 2 4GB cards and replace the whole lot. I would be wary of buying sticks from Best Buy and similar places, because they'll probably be refurbished or used chips. Make sure you always buy RAM where the dates on the chips (should be visible when you look at the chip, if not then don't buy them) are close to each other and none of them are more than a year old. If the chips don't look shiny or you can scratch them, then they're refurbished. Refurbished and used chips often get corrupted when combined with new chips, and they can mess up your entire computer. If you do get two 4GB cards and replace all of your cards, make sure those two go where the 2GB cards were on your old setup. Otherwise you should be fine.

Thanks for the info the sweetest pea, I'm not one to just jump in and not research. I research the crud out of it until I am satisfied. LOL

[thesweetestpea]

No problem. Refurbished and used chips and the stick order are the big ones to watch for, otherwise you should be fine as long as you don't try to put the wrong type of RAM stick in.