Need to upgrade Ram

[erndog105]

I am currently using Kingston HyperX DDR2-800 1024MB CL4 times 2 as my ram. I would like to upgrade to atleast 4GB of ram or more.
1) any suggestions as to which way to go, is there something better than what I am using?
If not, will this work Kingston HyperX 4GB Kit (2x2GB Modules) 800MHz DDR2 Desktop Memory (KHX6400D2K2/4GR)?
2) Can I add 4GB and keep the 2 currently installed to give me 6GB?
Any other suggestions will be appreciated.
Thks

[PCC-William]

We have found Kingston to be the most reliable brand we've tried here at Puget, so the HyperX you have should be just fine. Normally we recommend against mixing sizes of memory modules, but I've had okay luck doing so on AMD-based systems at home - so I think it would at least be worth trying. If the mixed sizes don't play nicely then you could at least run the newer 4GB and still have double the amount of RAM you used to.

Oh, one other thing to consider: what version of Windows are you running? If you are using a 32-bit version still then there is no need to go beyond 4GB, as the OS will only be able to see about 3.5GB at maximum anyways. Newer 64-bit versions can utilize more though.

[erndog105]

Thanks for your reply. I am running 64 windows and my system is Intel core 2 duo e66 puget system. Do you think mixing the 2 and 1 GB rams will be ok or should I just go ahead and move to 3 or 4 GB rams. Thanks

[PCC-William]

You can't get anything larger than 2GB per module for your motherboard, so I would go ahead and get the pair of those you were looking at. If they work with your existing modules then great! If not, take out the old ones and try just the new ones.

[erndog105]

Sorry, need one more clarification. Are you saying I can only use two 2GB boads or is four 2 GB able to work also?
Thanks

[PCC-William]

Ah, sorry if I didn't phrase things well before. Your motherboard can use up to four memory modules, at up to 2GB each. That means a maximum of 8GB total. Here at Puget we normally recommend using only same-size memory modules, as some older platforms have had trouble running mixed sizes, but personally I know that AMD systems at least are usually fine with that (based on my home setups, which both have mixed sizes due to upgrades over the years). I would recommend trying 2 x 2GB (new) + 2 x 1GB (your original memory) to see if it works, but if you have trouble then just go to either only the two new modules - or if you want to spend a little more, four new 2GB modules.

Hopefully that was a little clearer

[erndog105]

I have now installed two 2gb modules and the system did boot once but no programs would execute. I re-started and it would not boot and asked me to re-boot and select proper boot device or insert boot media...... It seems to not booting at all now. First question is should uping memory have caused the system to be re-configured? If no, what could have happened? I have gone into the bios and checked the boot sequence and it looks ok to me. If I have to re-configure the setup, any suggestions as this is not something I knows much about.

Thanks.

[PCC-William]

You may need to review the memory timings in the BIOS, or perhaps just set them to Auto.

If that doesn't fix it, it would also be a good idea to run a memory test as it is possible that one of the added modules is defective. We provide a ToolsCD with each of our computers, so if you can find it put it in the CD drive and boot to it. Once in there you should be able to run MemTest86, and it will let you know if there are any errors. If there are, try it again with each stick individually to identify which is problematic.

[erndog105]

Do not think that is it. I have put the old memory back in and still get the same problem.

[PCC-William]

Oh, hmm, thats odd. If this is a Puget system I would recommend contacting our tech support at this point.