to much Ram?

[Keith]

Have a Dell Dimension 8100 w/512 meg RDRAM. wanted to
upgrade to either 768 or 1024. However Dell sent me an
e/mail stating following

"NOTE: Windows XP is highly dependent on RAM, and it runs
better and faster if all of your RAM modules match
exactly in all respects. Size, PC number, ECC capability,
and manufacturer should, ideally, all be the same."

Does anybody know if this is accurate since they also
stated that

"Windows XP runs better and faster on more RAM up to 512
MB. It has no difficulty managing larger amounts of RAM,
and some applications run better on RAM larger than 512."
Can somebody comment on this issue. Thank You

 

[Bob Harris]

I have 1 Gig of RAM and XP works well with that. In theory XP can handle a
lot more. Be sure to verify that your motherboard can handle the RAM. My
first adveture with XP was as an upgrade from win98 on an old Gateway (built
in 1998). That PC was limited to 384 Meg of RAM. The motherboard on my new
PC (home-built ASUS P4S8X) is rated to 3 Gig of RAM.

As for the advice to use the same type of RAM, including the manufacturer,
that is safe, but usually not required. It is generally sufficient for the
RAM to have the same speed rating (e.g., PC2700 vs PC3200) and be of the
same class (e.g., DDR).

 

[Star Fleet Admiral Q]

I have a "LapTop" that runs pretty good on 512MB with XP Pro, but my 2
Workstations run even better, one has 2GB and the other 4GB.

 

[David Vair]

What they are trying to say and not very well, is that RDRAM (Rambus) must be installed in pairs.
The sticks should be identical. Check the number of slots that you have on the board and buy as
needed, be aware that RDRAM is a little more pricey than the others. The only other thing to check
is the max amount that the board allows, I had an Intel board that used RDRAM and the max was 512 so
make sure that the board can go higher before you spend you money.

 

[JAX]

Hi Keith,

XP supports up to 4Gb's of RAM. Whatever your motherboard will determine the
limit under that. Check the documentation on the MB to see what it will
support.

In regard to Dell's information; The memory sticks need not be the same
size, however, they must be the same type, i.e., you can have a 128 and a
256 run together as long as they are the same type.

LOL, JAX

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

It is absolutely essential that any new RAM module be compatible
with both the motherboard and any other RAM module(s) in the system.
Additionally, there are sometimes jumper switches on older
motherboards that need to be reset for the new RAM configuration.
Consult your motherboard's manual.

WinXP supports up to 4 Gb of RAM.

Bruce Chambers

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[Epona]

Hi Keith,

XP supports up to 4Gb's of RAM. Whatever your motherboard will
determine the limit under that. Check the documentation on the MB to
see what it will support.

In regard to Dell's information; The memory sticks need not be the
same size, however, they must be the same type, i.e., you can have a
128 and a 256 run together as long as they are the same type.

LOL, JAX

Whilst this usually applies, as others have stated, RDRAM (Rambus) is
different. The modules *must* be indentical in every respect - to this end,
most manufacturers (Crucial, Kingston, OCZ, for example) supply it in boxed
pairs - e.g. you want to order 1GB you ask for a pack of 2x512 - looks like
we've come full circle - remember the 'bad old days' when SIMMs had to be
installed in identical pairs? ;o)

 

[JAX]

Hi Epona.

I lost the OP, I don't recall him specifying RDRAM. If that is the case, I
stand corrected.

Best, JAX