Memory Upgrade

[codajohn]

I'm looking to max out memory upgrade. Would 4gb be overkill or should I stick with 2gb? There are 4 slots.
I have an IBM ThinkCentre M Series Type 8189.
Everest scan -Field Value System Memory 502 MB (PC3200 DDR SDRAM)

Crucial System Scanner Results

• Maximum Memory Capacity: 4096 MB
• Currently Installed Memory: 512 MB
• Available Memory Slots:3
• Number of Banks: 4
• Dual Channel Support: N.A.
• CPU Manufacturer: GenuineIntel
• CPU Family: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.20GHz Model 3, Stepping 4
• CPU Speed: 3192 MHz

[Chewy]

you need the everest overclock specs for your installed stick, add another 512 of same specs to maximize performance

never get much use from over a gig unless you game and that shared video would be the bottleneck, is there an agp slot?

[codajohn]

I hope the .txt file give you the info for the overclocking.
I don't game.
Yes it has a agp slot.
BTW, I was given a Nvidia FX5200 Series-
TD128 TV-out, DVI-I card. Would this be worth installing?

[hoove164]

Please be mindful of you use all 4 slots, most motherboards revert your memory to pc2700

[Chewy]

512 MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM (3.0-3-3-8 @ 200 MHz)

this was all we needed, that's the lame ram, buy another 512 of the cheap pc3200 cas 3

and try the agp card, right now you seem to be using onboard with 32 megs shared and that sucks for anything, even surfing

[codajohn]

Thanks Chewy,
Shouldn't I purchase two new matching 512 sticks? Cheap pc3200 cas 3? I wouldn't want cr-p. Any suggestions on either online or retail?

Also, is the card any good or should I upgrade to a better card. It was free so not using it wouldn't be a great lose.

[Chewy]

if you don't game then a 128 meg 5200 8x card will do anything fine, save your money for a newer computer, dual channel cas 2 ram would be great but not enough bang for the buck in the older computer, I would be tempted to not even add another 512 and I sure wouldn't pay over 50$ for it.

[NightTran]

I got 3 gig dual layer, sometime with dvd RBuilder still max out with multitasking

[Chewy]

i would have to see an available MB graph from performance to believe that night

[codajohn]

I just installed the card. Working fine. It actually uses less system ram then the on board.
Thanks for the ram news. I guess I'll keep what I got for now. Just when I was looking for a newer one, I got a freebie.

[Chewy]

save the wear and tear on the laptop, start a fund for s dual core killer computer and use up the P4, run it lean and mean with the 512 megs of lame ram and it will still make a good kid's computer when you get a newer computer with all the bells and whistles.

regular video cards use no system ram, and perform 10% better, all other factors being equal, new pci express cards that share seem to be ok.

if you are set on an upgrade then buy another hard drive than will work in a new computer also, single hard drive computers and video work don't get it!

[codajohn]

Thanks Chewy
Since I gave up my BB and NF accounts for a while (due to busy kids schedule) I haven't used the LG or Nec (since the LG) with the laptop since August. Now that I have the IBM desktop, I can use this one for burning. I think I'll keep the LG in it's external case. You never know!
As for the video card not using system ram....there was about a 5 point drop in ram usage after installing the new card. Based on your info, it must have been something else. BTW, after installing the card it automatically installed drivers without using CD. Since I'm using a LCD IBM I didn't install the VGA driver.
This IBM has a 125GB HD. I don't keep video files stored for very long if at all. I usually put them onto the external maxtor. For now.
I really wanted a dual core. At this point, I think it will be some time before a new one comes along. You will be the first person I will speak to when that day arrives. Of course, if you don't mind?
In which case, I will have all the bells and whistles. Oh yes, it will be mine.