Need help upgrading memory!

[Switchy]

I'm going to upgrade memory in my:

AMD Athlon 64 processor 3200+ compaq Presario.

At the moment it has 1GB DDR which consists of 2 cards (512 MB each I guess) taking up 2 of the 4 slots in the machine.

System Information says I have an Authentic AMD ~1989 Mhz.

 

What I want to do is put another 1GB DDR in the machine.

Can I put in a 1GB DDR Card in one of the two remaining slots,

or do I have to put in 2 X 512MB DDR cards filling up the two remaining slots?

 

Also, would it be wise to upgrade by 2GB DDR instead of 1GB DDR to future proof machine?

 

Also, do I need 400 Mhz PC3200 DDR memory modules (because I've got a 3200+ Compaq Presario),

or can I do with 133Mz (266MHz) PC2100 DDR memory modules (because I've got Authentic AMD ~1989Mhz?

 

 

Switchy (thanks:) )

[Jay-qu]

Slower memory will bottleneck your PC and may just waste the extra memory. Go for the faster. 2x512 would be faster, but if you want to upgrade again in the future you wont have the slots.. I would probably just go the 1gig, I dont think it would make that much of a difference - but then you have to consider costs, once upon a time 1gig stick was more expensive than 2x512's im not sure what its at these days..

[freeztar]

If you go to Kingston.com, you can enter your model number and it will tell you what memory you can use.

 

This is a good site for getting cheap memory:

Pricewatch | Lower prices on computers, laptops, mp3 players, motherboards, computer parts and electronics

[Boerseun]

True wat J said; if speed's the issue, go 2x512's. You'll have 2Gigs of RAM, which is plenty - unless you want to run Vista...:eek2:

 

...and how soon would you want to upgrade again?

 

4x512's will give you much better performance than 2x1Gigs, and at a considerably lower price. It all depends on when you want to upgrade again. You can always sell the 512's later.

[Jay-qu]

Except when you want to sell them they will probably be worth just as much as a keyring (the fate of my last redundant RAM module )