Hi There!

we would like to max out our memory for our computer. RAM not storage capacity.

I went to the vender (Gateway) and their information is:

quote:

Number of Memory Slots on Board: 2 (2 banks of 1)

Maximum Amount / Type of RAM that can be Installed:
2048MB DDR PC2700

However they do not appear to sell the 2048 DDR PC2700. Even searching their product line for that number gets me to a page to where I could call and talk to one of there representatives or "chat" neither of these I want to do. since I already know that they do not SELL that item.

Looking on the net I get hits like:

2048MB DDR 333 PC2700 CL2.5 128x4 ECC/REG 1.1875 ...

or

2048MB DDR 333 PC2700 256x4 STK Reg/ECC 1.20 ...

Different numbers, different prices.

considering that we are talking hundreds of dollars here I don't to buy the wrong thing. So what else do I need to know (Since gateway is so helpful (sarcasm)) before I go out and spend so much on upgrading memory?

Yes we want to max it out.

Their helplful PDF guide has three installation instructions: DIMM, SIMM or RIMM

And somewhere along the line I discovered I need to know how many pins too.

Is there anyway, short of unhooking my computer and hauling it to a store (ANY computer store OTHER than gateway whos is so fraken helpful) to have them tell me to know what it is EXACTLY that I need?

If it helps what we have now is 333 GHz

Hi David
The Kingston Brand is listed at about $100 per stick 1 GB (DDR PC2700/333mhz) on Froogle http://tinyurl.com/z3kj7 (I have these on this computer. Only got 1 GB (2x 512MB sticks /2 slots spare)
You can swap it yourself (easy job) Shall find a guide if you are not sure...Plenty of these posted
PS Why not add a 256MB Graphics card that will really motor things along!Priced from $60-$70 Nvidia chip set

I would recommend Crucial.com for your memory. I have had good luck with them and have used them many times. They provide excellent instructions with the product. The main thing is to be very careful with static electricity. Be sure to ground yourself.

In the event that they don't have your particular type, try PNY. They are also quite good.

http://crucial.com
http://www2.pny.com/homepage.aspx

Both of these sites will tell you what RAM stick you need based on your product model. If you need (or want) more system information, I would like to point you to PC Wizard 2006 (first recommended here by Mike). Pc Wizard This is a free download.

Finally, why the memory upgrade? Are you experiencing some type of problem? You can find your current memory by right-clicking on the "My Computer" icon. Click on the "Properties" item.
See this picture: Click Here

Dwight

Why the upgrade:

I have 2.52 Mhrz 256 MB of RAM

Barely enough to play most games now days (always minimum) Can't play World of War Craft without horrible lag. Even toon-town is pushing it.

We want more, much more - The brother in law suggested 1 GB - however my make and model and only accept 2048MB tops (according to Gateway which to be honest their staff has not been too helpful)

The long term plan is to run a network, two monitors, two key boards, blah. Further I would like to host a minor internet game/site which would require more resources to run constantly while still running other "things". And of course play WOW and a few other RAMful games.

What I am confused about is the additional digits on those sites:

EXAMPLE: CL2.5 128x4 and 256x4

What are those differences?

(edit) Bedstor the difference is that we/I want the max amount of RAM my computer can take which is 2048 MB.

At your site (which actually has it) the price is $385.95 to $399.95

Funny you should mention World of WarCraft
Brother Plays it on this computer (no lag on server)Perhaps the lag is due to fullish hard drive (overdue a Defrag?) or Virtual drive settings are set in a fixed mode?
A program that is very good free up some space (and reduces defrag times) is Crap cleaner from www.ccleaner.com
Untick the Cookies and History boxes on the check list before you start Otherwise you'll have to log in manually almost everywhere and have slow pageloads for a while
Despite its daft name it is a very strong cleaner.
As regards the 128x4 and 256x4 that means that there are 4x128 MB processors on the board or 4x 256 MB Processors on the board

Those extra digits refer to possible memory card combinations that can used. Since you want the maximum and that total is 2048, I would suggest two cards at 1024 Mb each. If they offer that combination that would give you the maximum amount of usable RAM.

I'm assuming that your system has only 2 memory slots available. If there are more, you could use more cards of lower values that combined would add up to 2048 Mb.

If possible, I do suggest using the two larger cards, but if they're not available, 3 or 4 smaller cards will work just as well, so long as the total amount is 2048 Mb and you have necessary number of memory slots.

That would mean that you would remove the current 256 Mb (which may be in two 128 Mb cards or more likely is a single 256 Mb card). Once the current card is removed, you can add the two 1024 Mb.

Once the two 1024 Mb cards are installed, you can restart the computer. The memory will be show in the System Properties Window. It is likely that some of this RAM will be used for graphics, so you may the number 1920 Mb available. The actual amount depends on the type of graphics display adapter that you have.

Once you have removed the old card, you can most likely sell it at a used computer shop. If the old cards are 128 Mb (2 cards) they won't be worth much. If it is a single card at 256 Mb, it may be worth around $50 used.

I hope this helps!

Dwight

Ah the number of cards.

That explains the wide variety of prices.

I'll have to open up the computer to see what is there, slot wise.

Now why couldn't the gateway person on the phone explain that to me?

Sheesh.

You don't need to open the case to find this information...if you'll go to the crucial.com site, and put in the make and model number of your Gateway, it will tell you what options you have for the motherboard that is installed in your system.

The PC Wizard download will do the same thing.

Dwight

Just to update:

Shortly after my last post we bought 1 1GB card thingy (I actually have slots for 2) and since then we have been computer a go-go. So fast that I finish my games before I start them... LOL well almost.

WOW no longer lags, in fact there is nothing that lags now.

I bought another 1-gig card today, too. But I still lag in a potato sack race. And in some other endeavors as well...
Dwight