Posted on 05/02/2011 8:30:56 PM PDT by freejohn
You probably can use the old memory, but if I were you, I wouldn’t, and here’s why:
1. As other posters have mentioned, the older RAM is slower than the newer RAM, so even if it does work in the newer system, the newer system will slow down...by a lot.
2. Mixing and matching different speeds and brands of RAM can increase the possibility of your newer system becoming unstable and crashing, especially if you don’t run a utility like memtest86 to check for subtle memory errors.
3. You probably don’t need more than 4 gigabytes of RAM. Your system already has 4 gigabytes of RAM installed.) Even a power user like me (who runs Windows 7 64-bit with 4 gigabytes of RAM and who installs Linux, BSD, Solaris, etc. in VMs for fun) will rarely (if ever) see memory usage approach 4 gigabytes of memory usage...so unless you’re doing intense number crunching (and I’m not talking Excel here - I’m talking scientific computing, database transactions, commercial software development, single handedly serving up FreeRepublic.com during the 2012 election cycle, etc.) you should not need the extra memory.
IMO, you are better off getting a real anti-virus program that consumes less memory (Eset Nod32), turning off unused Windows features (namely, the eye candy), and using a disk defragmenter (Diskeeper Home). That will cut down on your newer system’s memory usage without having to keep adding more RAM.
Thank You rabscuttle385
I believe that I’ll take your advice.
Darn .. I still gotta find a use for the old pc!
(I think the hard-drive and onboard video are gone)
The number is the speed. Many computers can handle different speeds of RAM, but not at the same time. Pick a speed and use only that. Also check whether you have to install your memory in pairs. There’s a manual with a diagram out there somewhere on the Internet for it.
DO NOT mix and match RAM speeds! DDR2 is the chipset protocol that is used, and the numerical value is the actual operating frequency. However, there are myriad other values that may not be visible on the memory, and specifically the operating voltage is the key. If you put in something that operates below the motherboard utility voltage, you will blow up the DIMM. If you use something that operates above the motherboard utility voltage, you will fry the motherboard.
Additionally, the notch on the RAM DIMM is going to be different between PC2-4200, PC2-5300, PC2-10600, etc. You are not going to be able to fit the RAM DIMM into the slot if it is not compatible, and it does not sound like you have compatibility across the spectrum here.
Find the make and model of the motherboard on the actual board or in the documentation that came with your machine. Then go to the manufacturer website and look up the supported operating frequencies for your mobo. Mixing and match RAM will, at worst, cause your system to melt down, and at best, you will experience regular blue screens and system instability.
Do not skimp on this. Go buy new RAM in all the same operating frequencies. You do not want to mess with your system RAM.
The old system is still capable of running just fine for a few more years, but I would:
Upgrade its RAM to the maximum of 4 gigabytes.
Upgrade to a new hard drive (preferably SATA if the system supports SATA).
Upgrade to a new PCI-e video card (does not have to be the latest and greatest - anything is better than integrated video - but get one with dual head, i.e., dual DVI connectors so you can hook up two monitors).
Total cost is maybe $100-$150, off the top of my head.
If you cleanly reinstall Windows XP, disable most of the eye candy, use a light-weight anti-virus program, and use a disk defragmenter - you should run just fine until April 2014 (when Microsoft is dropping all support for Windows XP).
That said, with the upgrades, the system should be capable of running Windows 7 64-bit, which is supported through 2020. The problem is buying a license (expensive, unless you're a student buying through the Ultimate Steal Deal at $70 or getting a free license through MSDNAA).
My family has several older systems with similar specs to that older one that we actively use on a daily basis - the trick is selective hardware upgrades and careful configuration of the operating system.
I will stand on what rabs has already told you. It is perfectly correct.
But in addition, you WILL see a significant increase in processing by optimizing your RAM to the highest (you said 6400) RAM TYPE that it will take. Right now the box is not operating at the speed of a 6400 stick, as you certainly have a 5400 stick, and who knows what the non-ECC RAM is operating at... As others have already said, the machine operates at the speed of the LOWEST-speed RAM you have.
In addition, in order for DDR to work (in many cases), it requires mated pairs - Since you seem to have no mated pairs, it is reasonable to assume the box is operating in single mode rather than using the full dual mode capacity of the RAM. A quick look in the case will help to determine that - Boxes that require mated pairs often have two different colored slots... one of each of the mated pairs go into one of each of the colors, respectively. Any third slot in such a condition is added RAM, but won’t be operating in dual mode... but the others will.
Track down the computer model, or if a white-box, the motherboard brand and number, and find a manual online... That will tell you which ram BELONGS in the box, and whether it is capable of dual mode per-chip, or requires mated pairs to attain dual mode.
Y’all need to find a good back-alley computer tech (like me, but local)... not the bow-tie boys. I buy back old RAM all the time against new RAM purchases... Of course the RAM is used, so it is discounted (between 1/4-1/2 of new on buy side, which I sell between 1/2 and 3/4 of new to some future customer).
OR, sell the old box complete to pay for the RAM in the new (and then some).
OR, sell the RAM you can’t use on craigslist or something for yourself.
**Do not discount rabs’ advice wrt trimming the software on the box - If you are experiencing a slow or hinky system, 9 times out of 10, that is a symptom of too much junk running in the background, OVER protection against viruses (AVs are often notoriously fat and intrusive), or under-protection (wherein your box is infested and you don’t know it).
A 4gig 64bit system should run very well (Assumes all hardware is in good condition).
Again, a back alley shop will have a used vid card for you... and decent hard drive... It has a value as a used system.
Otherwise, buy a used vid and huge drive for it network it (requires a router if you don't already have one), share it to the LAN, and leave it running in the corner for a backup machine... Cobian Backup is a free and excellent backup tool that will automagically back up all of your junk from the new machine into your old machine on a daily basis...
And THEN, if your new machine winds up broken, you can use the old box while it is in the shop, and all of your very precious data (pics, letters, movies, music, etc) remains perfectly safe...
I would also caution you to buy a USB external hard drive to manually back up your stuff to on occasion - then disconnect it and put it on the shelf... In case of a lightning strike or other disabling electrical surge (capable of taking out both machines, and frying both machines' hard drives), your data will remain safe on the disconnected box....
One cannot have too many backup chains.
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