[Scott F.]

Hiya Guys,

I've need some help from those more in the know than myself on upgrading the memory on my desktop PC.

I've got a desktop that was built about 3 or 4 years ago. It's been pretty reliable and I've been happy with its performance so far. Of late I've been working with a ton of applications open at the same time and I've noticed a pretty healthy slowdown, especially since the apps I've had open are pretty memory and processor intense (AutoCAD, Adobe, Outlook, the internet, certain picture viewers, and Foobar all running simultaneously in the background).

I don't really want to go though the hassle of upgrading my desktop at the moment so I thought I might be able to add some memory as a stop gap to get me by for a few months. What I'm running is;

XP SP2
Asus A7V8X-MX mother board
Socket A for AMD Athlon XP2600+ processor clocking at 1.91mHz
992meg RAM (2x512 chips)
Front Side Bus 333/266/200 mHz

The Asus book states this about the memory;
2x184-pin DDR DIMM sockets support up to maximum 2 GB unbuffered PC2700/2100/1600 non-ECC DDR SDRAM memory.

I'm completely confused when I do a search for after market chips. I see voltage specs, speed specs, all kinds of stuff.....like this link;
http://www.premiummemory.com/memory/PM21244.html
This one seems to fit the bill but when you look at the speed is says PC-3200 which by the specs above doesn't seem to be supported.

Then there is this Kingston from ComputerGeeks.com
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=KTC-D320-1G-DT&cat=RAM
It looks to be correct....I think.

Can any of you guys shed some light on this for me please? I just want to make sure I buy the right memory for my machine.

Also, the book says the mother board will support up to a 3200+ processor. I've got a 2600+ right now. Do you think it would be a worthy upgrade going to the 3200+ considering all the (cr)app's I have open all the time?

TIA!

[davidldl]

An easy way to see what specs your memory for you motherboard needs is to go to www.crucial.com. 
Select ASUS, motherboard, and then your mb model number.  I comes up with this:

http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=A7V8X-MX

 DDR PC2700 • CL=2.5 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR333 • 2.5V
or
 DDR PC3200 • CL=3 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR400 • 2.6V


Either of these should work.  It looks like the memory at crucial.com is cheaper than compgeeks.

--David

[jmc207]

I'll second David's suggestion of Crucial.com for the memory. Keep in mind that this type of DDR is an older type of memory that is not used in any newer computers, so it will have to stay with this system. As for the processor upgrade, it would not be worth it, IMO. Save your money for a new Core 2 Duo or Quad Core computer. I saw a refurbished Dell Inspiron Quad-Core 6600 the other day for $449. You would still need to add a few things to that system but it kind of shows you how inexpensive powerful computing can be.     

[bpape]

Here is a good price on the 1GB sticks that will work with your motherboard

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewspec.hmx?scriteria=BA21255

Bryan

[Levi]

Crucial is a good place.

Also try www.kingston.com

http://www.ec.kingston.com/ecom/configurator_new/modelsinfo.asp?SysID=16261&mfr=ASUS%2FASmobile&model=A7V8X&root=&LinkBack=&Sys=16261-ASUS%2FASmobile-A7V8X-MX+Motherboard&distributor=0&submit1=Search

KVR266X64C25/128 128MB 266MHz DDR Non-ECC CL2.5 DIMM  Get Price 
KVR266X64C25/256 256MB 266MHz DDR Non-ECC CL2.5 DIMM  Get Price 
KVR266X64C25/512 512MB 266MHz DDR Non-ECC CL2.5 DIMM  Get Price 
KVR266X64C25/1G 1GB 266MHz DDR Non-ECC CL2.5 DIMM  Get Price 
KVR333X64C25/128 128MB 333MHz DDR Non-ECC CL2.5 DIMM  Get Price 
KVR333X64C25/256 256MB 333MHz DDR Non-ECC CL2.5 DIMM  Get Price 
KVR333X64C25/512 512MB 333MHz DDR Non-ECC CL2.5 DIMM  Get Price 
KVR333X64C25/1G 1GB 333MHz DDR Non-ECC CL2.5 DIMM  Get Price 

Although this motherboard specifies DDR400 compatibility, Kingston only supports it with DDR266 and DDR333.

[mizzuno]

you can also try newegg:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010170147+1052407862&name=DDR+400+(PC+3200)

[Scott F.]

Cool   

Thanks for the help guys 

[WGH]

I would go with Crucial, those early AMD boards were very, very twitchy regarding what memory worked, especially with 2 GB, which makes XP work much better by the way.

There are two things you can do to make this computer faster:

1.) Upgrade the hard drive if you are still using a 5400 rpm drive. A Seagate 7200 rpm ATA drive with a large cache is always a good choice and you can always re-use it in an external case for backup later on.

2.) Defrag. XP's built in defrag will work but it is horribly slow. I use DIRMS http://www.dirms.com/. I also have Buzzsaw running in the background which keeps the computer very snappy. The software is free, registration is a little confusing but I am sure you can figure it out.

Edit: looks like it is now $10 instead of free, still a bargain for what it does.

[guest1632]

Hiya Guys,

I've need some help from those more in the know than myself on upgrading the memory on my desktop PC.

I've got a desktop that was built about 3 or 4 years ago. It's been pretty reliable and I've been happy with its performance so far. Of late I've been working with a ton of applications open at the same time and I've noticed a pretty healthy slowdown, especially since the apps I've had open are pretty memory and processor intense (AutoCAD, Adobe, Outlook, the internet, certain picture viewers, and Foobar all running simultaneously in the background).

I don't really want to go though the hassle of upgrading my desktop at the moment so I thought I might be able to add some memory as a stop gap to get me by for a few months. What I'm running is;

XP SP2
Asus A7V8X-MX mother board
Socket A for AMD Athlon XP2600+ processor clocking at 1.91mHz
992meg RAM (2x512 chips)
Front Side Bus 333/266/200 mHz

The Asus book states this about the memory;
2x184-pin DDR DIMM sockets support up to maximum 2 GB unbuffered PC2700/2100/1600 non-ECC DDR SDRAM memory.

I'm completely confused when I do a search for after market chips. I see voltage specs, speed specs, all kinds of stuff.....like this link;
http://www.premiummemory.com/memory/PM21244.html
This one seems to fit the bill but when you look at the speed is says PC-3200 which by the specs above doesn't seem to be supported.

Then there is this Kingston from ComputerGeeks.com
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=KTC-D320-1G-DT&cat=RAM
It looks to be correct....I think.

Can any of you guys shed some light on this for me please? I just want to make sure I buy the right memory for my machine.

Also, the book says the mother board will support up to a 3200+ processor. I've got a 2600+ right now. Do you think it would be a worthy upgrade going to the 3200+ considering all the (cr)app's I have open all the time?

TIA!

You're right. This can get quite confusing. If you plan to keep this MB then I'd up the memmory. The Crucial specs are only showing a 3 instead of 2. you will notice the differences, all be it slight. Otherwise, I upgrade to more efficient processors. Nope, leave what you have in there for a processor unless you upgrade the whole board. Then you will also have to get another video card because it won't be AGP, but PCI Express. Will end up having to build your own system.

The advice here is good.

Ray

[JimJ]

I've heard good things about OCZ memory, just FWIW.

[Val]

Check www.memorystore.com. They even have a live chat service to help you. I recently purchased memory from them for an old Dell Inspiron 6000 laptop and everything went very well. I think they have cheap prices too.

[Thump553]

A huge thumbs up regarding Crucial memory.  They are reasonably cheap, have a lifetime warranty and their customer service is top-notch.  I've returned memory to them years after I've bought it, when I went to install it from a dead computer to another one.  Rather than hassle me on proof of purchase, etc., they merely looked up my purchase on their computer during our initial call, and approved the exchange then.  BTW, they will send the replacement memory out immediately (if you give them credit card info, and they will not charge the credit card unless you don't send them the dead stuff).  I can't say enough nice things about them.

Defraging probably would be a big help as well.  That and the memory will probably get you good to go.  Upgrading the hard drive (unless your's is very nearly full-that will slow things down a lot once they get to 90% or so full) probably not that big an improvement.  You start going that route you might as well get a whole new computer.

PS:  I forgot to mention that Crucial has a utility on their website, just run that, it will examine your computer and advise exactly what types of memory you can use.

[Keith_Suppe]

Hi this is my very first post here and it's lengthy please forgive me. I happen to review and test PC stuff including memory.


The first thing I would do if I were you would be to download and run a temp program. Your system is somewhat dated so your processor doesn't have an internal thermal diode. There is most assuredly a thermistor just beneath the processor centered in the Socket.

Asus Probe should work: Asus Probe Downloads

Or SpeedFan: Speed Fan 4.34

If your CPU temp is running above 40C at IDLE your problem is most likely a clogged HSF and improper case ventillation due to dust as well.

If you want to stress-test the processor and see how hot she runs under duress try S&M (direct link to download): S&M v.1.9.1

I can tell you there is some great advice given, perhaps the most important was compatability. Your board can handle up to 2GB of memory in two slots, so two 1GB sticks looks to be the right advice. Windows XP 32-bit can only run 2GB of memory anyway. While there is a 3GB "switch" this is limited in application. Albeit A-DATA, Corsair, Crucial, Kingston, Kingmax, GEIL, Mushkin, OCZ, Super Talent, etc. etc. the list is very long, however; there are only a handful of actual "IC' (Integrated Circuit) makers. Very few companies actually Fabricate ICs and their own memory. Samsung and Crucial (Crucial is owned by Micron who makes ICs) are probably two out of five world-wide.

Anyway first thing I would do regardless is to open your PC and read the brand name found on a small sticker on the heat spreader, if  there's no heat spreader on the memory then you must look for that sticker laid directly across the ICs. This will tell you the the brand name, speed (DDR333, DDR266, DDR400 etc), model, VDIMM (Voltage) write this info down. You want to find the same brand AND if you can, find the same ICs (or DRAM chips). They will read something like Micron, Elpida, Samsung, Hynix, Nanya, Mosel Vitalic etc.

Other brands (with the same specifcations) may work just as well, but the point is if the PC has been running stable with the memory in there sticking to the same brand same IC's is best. UNLESS you want to overclock and from what I know about your chip and board you could OC that baby so long as the PC is dust free and well ventillated (heat is the enemy in the semi-conductor world). Now if your getting specific error messages claiming there's not enough memory to run such and such an application that's one thing, otherwise it may be as simple as maintaining your PC. Get in there and clean it. Get the dust out of the fans and filters, check the Power Supply it's probably got lots o dust in it. I'd shut down the system, disconnect all cables, take it outside, remove both side-panels and get lots of compressed air. Start with the processor's HSF (Heat-Sink-Fan), after 4-years I gaurantee if your not cleaning it bi-monthly it's so clogged it's probably running at about 30% of capacity if that. Remember a PC is essentially an air-cleaner, it's charged, magnetic and attracts dust as well as actual air-filters.

Anyway if you want to replace the processor (perhaps change out the thermal paste will work fine) and are going to buy memory, I would consider moving to a new platforrm. Your certainly getting your money from the PC.

If you want to remove the old thermal paste (after four years it's definately past it's usefullness) and you have some experince (or even if you don't and are careful) all you need do is CAREFULLY remove the CPU HSF (Heat Sink Fan). Depending on the type of mounting hardware (it's probably ZIFF spring loaded) removing the HSF isn't that difficult. After it's removed blow out the dust the Heat Sink fins. Then remove the old thermal paste on the base of the HSF using Isopropyl Alcohol and towling paper find the highest concentaion Isopropyl Alcohol like 90%. On the CPU use a Q-tip dipped in alcohol to clean the old paste off. You can either leave the processor it in the socket, or remove it by FIRST lifting the small retention locking mechanism (little lever on left) carefully, then gently lift the CPU by it's edges being sure not to allow your finger to "grab" aorund it bending the pins which come right to the edges. If you bend the tiny pins beneath it your buying a new CPU unless you have needle nose pliers and very good luck. So better really to leave it in the socket and clean it.

If there's thermal paste on the surface of the chip beyond the shiny core (i'm betting there is) be careful cleaning it, those small SMD's (Surface Mount Devices) sitting around the core on the processor PCB are capacitors. Using a cloth to clean it can get a string caught on one while cleaning and damage it. I use Q-tips and then check to be sure there's no small threads left behind. Also you always want to be sure when it's time to re-apply the thermal paste not to put so much that it will be forced back onto those SMDs. About 80% of the time too much paste is applied. You want a non-conductive thermal paste for AMD chips of that era. Arctic Silver Ceramique is good. Place a pea size drop on the CPU core and then re-mount the HSF following the instructions in your Motherboard User Manual carefully. The natural compression of the mounting will "spread" the paste. If you want to spread it its fine because this AMD chip has a very small core and that's all you want covered. Trying to guess how much paste won't be spread onto the SMD' around the core may be too tricky.

Anyway I hope all this helps. You probably already got the memory and are done and I wrote this for not

If you need help with prices, or buying a new platform, feel free to contact me I can point you in the right direction.