hey i want to upgrade my ram. i have 2 512mb sticks and i want to upgrade to 2gbs, mainly to play stranglehold. i have some questions about it. i didnt want to start a new post so i used the crucial.com link that was provided in a different post but it didnt have any compatible ram and i cant find any of my type on newegg either.

1) how do i know what ram i should buy? all i know is that i have 2 512mb sticks of ddr2 sdram pc2 4300 266mhz. do i know enough?

2)will i see a very significant difference?

3)do all ram sticks have to be the same size and details and brand? can i get a single gb stick to go with 2 512? does it have to be the same as the others (pc2 4300, 266mhz etc)

4)is it difficult to install?

5)what is a reliable brand? or all they all pretty much the same?

off topic but are psus and graphics cards difficult to install?
any more advice?

thanks in advance

Newegg has it-- not cheap though

Newegg.com - Buy Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!)

Newegg is a great dealer too...

To answer your above questions:

1) The RAM in the above link will work fine-- how many slots do you have? The thing is... when you have DDR RAM-- it IS important to have matched sticks in order to get the "full DDR performance"
DDR= double data rate. The one problem you might run into with large amounts of RAM is that XP can't see more than 3.5 gigs.
If you have FOUR slots--
you could use 2 x 1gig sticks in slots 1 + 3
and 2 x 512mb sticks in slots 1 + 4
equals 3 gigs total.

The "channels" the mobo uses are usually in pairs in this manner
This would allow Maximum memory with no waste.

2) going from 1 to 3 gigs would probably make a big difference... though this is also tied to what mobo/processor/video-card you have...

3)You can mix brands-- but again for DDR-- you want to do everything in pairs. Speeds will be regulated by the mobo (what's compatible) any way.

4) RAM is the easiest upgrade there is-- as long as you exercise a few minor precautions... and use common sense. Unplug one plug in the other.

5) They are certainly NOT all the same-- while cheapo RAM might work-- it won't be as reliable/fast as the good stuff-- with your PC4300-- you are limited anyway-- to the good stuff.

PSU's take some time/care/observation of how things connect.
Video cards are fairly easy too... but they take a little time to choose the right one.

i have four slots and i only really want 2gb but maybe il get 3gb. no games need 3 but if i find a good deal.... crucial.com siad i could have 4gbs

okay i was told that even though i have DDR2 266mhz i should get DDR2 533mhz. cos the 2 means 2 by the 266mhz making 533mhz. but would that not mean that DDR2 533mhz would mean twice 533mhz? therefore not the same as DDR2 266MHZ?
the link to newegg you gave me is 533mhz. compatible?

you said pc4300. i have pc2 4300. ;-)

how do i know what amount of pins i have??
thanks very much

You could use Everest Home...
It will analyze your whole system-- every detail-- it's free here:
|MG| Free Download - EVEREST Free Edition 2.20

I honestly can't tell you much about the details of RAM speeds + timings- that goes beyond my experience.
I always used the Crucial tool-- it was easier-- and as I'm not a huge gamer or overclocker... I never needed to go past that.

I just shortened it to save time for conversation's sake.

If you use Everest as I suggested... you'll get every detail about your PC-- motherboard model/exact revision/ Front-side Bus speed/ Exact Processor... everything.
For Ram upgrades-- if you have a hard-to-find type-- or you are unsure... you could Live chat with Crucial - they will be able to use your information to HELP you choose the best for your setup.

Or post back here and I will do what I can to help--or help you find someone who can

Please do NOT post the whole Everest report-- just copy/paste the Main hardware...
Mobo (make/model number)
RAM
Video Card (Make+ Model)
Processor (all info here)

I can go look up your specs at makers site...
I just noticed your Flag of origin-- as I'm in the US-- my sources may not ship overseas-- but we can find vendors there too.

i already have cpu-z. that tells you everything as far as i can see which is admittedly not very far.
i 99% sure i have found some compatible ram on ebay. its pc24300 266mhz and it has all the same details as my current ram. voltage latency etc

so thanks for your help. please dont mark this as answered in case i spoke too soon. :-)

cheers

Apologies for lack of response ...technical difficulties on my end

I'll be waiting... PLEASE be cautious on Ebay-- most sellers on there are perfeclty honest-- but there are some.....who are not.