Adding Memory

[redalrt]

I have a ASUS A78NX-E board, AthlonXP 3200+@ 2.2G, 512MB PC3200 running Dual Channel with 7200RPM hard drives.  My video card is the really weak part, a GeForce 4 MX 400.  A 6600GT AGP is on my shopping list.  

Not ready to throw it all out for PCIe yet. I also want to run more RAM.

My question is this, I have 2ea. 256MB sticks of PC3200 Hyperram from Komusa Technology populating two DIMM slots. Can I plug a 512 MB stick of Hyperram into the remaining slot and still run dual channel at 1GB or am I limited to using a third 256MB stick (which I know will run dual channel) @768MB?  Thanks in advance.

[Bubblehead]

While on the subject of RAMs. I got the same set up (Asus A7N8X2.0 Deluxe with AMD AThlon XP 2600+) Since my mobo is a Rev. 2.0, it is capable of 400FSB. I am presently running at 2.1GHz. I think I can do better. I have two questions: (1) Is it going to make a noticeable difference if I upgrade my CPU to an AMD Athlon XP 3200+? (2) I have two 512M Simpletec RAMs occupying two of the three slots,  I wish to add a 3rd 512M RAM.  Am I restricted in using the same brand RAM?


Bubblehead

[congo]

You both need to read your mainboard manuals.

The dual channel will only work with 2 slots occupied by similar, if not identical ram modules.

You will actually lose bandwidth by adding the third module.

Bubblehead, you will see a great improvement by upgrading to the XP3200+ (if you can find one).*

*Conditional on you also running your ram at 400mhz, meaning you will have to upgrade your RAM to PC3200 or higher speed, and the ram must be in 2 identical (or very similar) modules in order to activate dual channel mode.

*XP3200's might get rare.

Without considering the PCIe x16 dilemma, there is the question of your upgrade option Bubblehead. If you need a 3200+ cpu AND ram, then why not just spend a little extra and get a 64bit CPU, RAM, and a 64bit mobo?

[Bubblehead]

Congo:

Thanks for the advice. My Two 512M RAMs are of the PC3200 types. I can still get an Athlon XP3200+ for two hundred bucks (mypcparts.com [Computer Depot]) However, your last piece of advice makes a whole lot of sense. One thing I need to do soon however is to upgrade my primary hard drive (80G) which is getting full of games. I've replaced hardrives before but I need some pointers. Specifically, I've got WinXP (which I purchased)  loaded in my existing primary HD. Can I use that in my new drive without going into "activation" problems? I got an XP boot CD, do I simply install the drive and boot it with the CD? How about partition, etc. I'm thinking about getting a 200G Western Digital HD. Thanks for the help.


Bubblehead

[congo]

Sometimes there are Issues with BIOS recognising large drives.

Buying a Hard disk is the perfect opportunity to start again and load a sweet new Windows Installation.

However, the easiest way would be too add the drive to the existing PC as a slave drive, and move your games to that.

If you have the cash and the time to rebuild your system, then the 64 bit CPU and mainboard makes lot's of sense. Socket 939 mainboard and CPU are probably a wise choice.

[Bubblehead]

Congo:  Can I just Edit/Copy/Paste all my FS games from my master to the slave hard drive and play from it? Or do I have to load the games to the salve HD individually using its respective CDs?

Bubblehead