Added memory = lower Windows Experience score?

[Happy Camper]

Hey everyone!

I just addes a third memory stick to my computer (Asus K8V SE Deluxe with
AMD 3200+ 2 GHz) and it dropped my score from 4.0 to 3.0. The ram score went
from 4.1 to 3.0. What's up with that? Is my computer really running
slower? (Doesn't feel like it.) Any explanation or help would be
appreciated. Thanks.

HC

 

[trouble]

If you were running two sticks in dual channel mode and add a third stick
you drop down to single channel mode which is slower. You need to add a
fourth stick to get back to dual channel mode.
Unless you are running Photoshop, and specifically configure Vista to allow
programs access to the full 3 gbs of RAM, you will not see any improved
performance. Disc access and not RAM is the main crippling problem with
Vista speed, as well as all the crap that runs in the background, indexing
etc.
I also question your rating of 4 with the ancient processor you have and the
lame Vista chipset drivers for those older boards.

 

[Lord Fauntleroy]

when you have 2 or 4 sticks they work faster than having 3 sticks..

When you have a real brain it works better than no brain. Too bad you don't
have a real brain.

 

[Happy Camper]

If you were running two sticks in dual channel mode and add a third stick
you drop down to single channel mode which is slower. You need to add a
fourth stick to get back to dual channel mode.
Unless you are running Photoshop, and specifically configure Vista to
allow programs access to the full 3 gbs of RAM, you will not see any
improved performance. Disc access and not RAM is the main crippling
problem with Vista speed, as well as all the crap that runs in the
background, indexing etc.
I also question your rating of 4 with the ancient processor you have and
the lame Vista chipset drivers for those older boards.

Thanks for the feedback. This particular mobo only has three slots. So it
will work better with just the two (2 Gb) rather than the three (3 Gb)?
Seems slightly counter-intuitve, but I think I understand. That was a waste
fo $35.00. Any suggestions?

I've also thought about upgrading the mobo and cpu. (As for the rating, I
can only tell you what Vista says) Will I get that much more bang for the
buck. Basically I use this box for internet, email, Photoshop, video, online
games and word processing.

HC

 

[Mike Hall - MVP]

Thanks for the feedback. This particular mobo only has three slots. So it
will work better with just the two (2 Gb) rather than the three (3 Gb)?
Seems slightly counter-intuitve, but I think I understand. That was a
waste fo $35.00. Any suggestions?

I've also thought about upgrading the mobo and cpu. (As for the rating, I
can only tell you what Vista says) Will I get that much more bang for the
buck. Basically I use this box for internet, email, Photoshop, video,
online games and word processing.

HC

It means that the memory is not as matched as it might be is all. The
computer will benefit from the extra memory, and you will benefit by not
going back to the stupid and misleading Windows Experience Index..


--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=newswhelp&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx

 

[DL]

Photoshop is the only app you list that would make use of more memory

Your extra memory, was it actually compatible? www.crucial.com has a memory
configerator
Not all memory is suitable

 

[Mike Hall - MVP]

All three are exactly the same. Crucial.

HC

Exactly the same 'Crucial'?


--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=newswhelp&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx

 

[Mike Hall - MVP]

Yes.

Unless you buy memory which is matched at the time of manufacture, it is
almost impossible to say that they are exactly the same. The problem there
is that matched memory comes in pairs..

Disregarding what WEI is telling you, is the system more responsive than it
was?

--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=newswhelp&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx

 

[TonyT]

Mike, do you think I'd get more benefit from upgrading mobo/cpu from
what I have?

Of course.

But - gamers are never happy with their hardware.

 

[Mike Hall - MVP]

Mike,

I ordered the memory from Tiger Direct using the same part number. The
first two I got last year and the third just today. I don't know the inner
workings of how TD works. I suppose I could've gotten two not exactly
identical the first time.

The system does seem to be a bit more responsive except when playing
World of Warcraft tonight. The fps were down a bit from usual but that
could be something else altogether. I'll continue playing around with it
tonight.

Mike, do you think I'd get more benefit from upgrading mobo/cpu from
what I have?

Thanks for your responses.

HC

From what I have seen around, two and four memory slot configurations seem
to be the norm presently, so your board must be 'getting on'.

If you consistently get lower frame rates while playing WoW, you might want
to consider upgrading, but if WoW is ok over time, stick with what you have
now..

--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=newswhelp&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx

 

[Happy Camper]

From what I have seen around, two and four memory slot configurations seem
to be the norm presently, so your board must be 'getting on'.

If you consistently get lower frame rates while playing WoW, you might
want to consider upgrading, but if WoW is ok over time, stick with what
you have now..

--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=newswhelp&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx

Mike (and anyone else) what would you suggest for a decent but not bank
breaking uprgrade mobo/cpu?

HC

 

[Mark]

For me It doesn't matter. You can change your WEI score easily
http://unlockforus.blogspot.com/2007/10/fun-stuff-hack-your-windows-experience.html

Anyway what happened is a little bit weird and in my experience: core 2 duo
processors, 3Ghz.

Toms Hardware is correct. There's a little difference. It means negligible.

 

[John]

Everybody's bank is different.

You got that right. Mine needs some serious bailout.

 

[Jim]

Hey everyone!

I just addes a third memory stick to my computer (Asus K8V SE Deluxe with
AMD 3200+ 2 GHz) and it dropped my score from 4.0 to 3.0. The ram score went
from 4.1 to 3.0. What's up with that? Is my computer really running
slower? (Doesn't feel like it.) Any explanation or help would be
appreciated. Thanks.

HC

Why worry about what the score is - so long as the computer is running
ok .

 

[+Bob+]

Everybody's bank is different.

Set your limit and go to Newegg.com and shop.

Check out the Asus newsgroup and see what's in fashion (assuming you
really need more performance).

 

[+Bob+]

I also question your rating of 4 with the ancient processor you have and the
lame Vista chipset drivers for those older boards.

Ancient? You ain't been around very long boy.