Upgrading Ram

Hey all, lately my computer has been running terribly slow, even with just general computing. It also tends to freeze up when using it after letting it sit for a while, or when doing something big, for example loading big media files into Sony Vegas. I figured upgrading the ram would solve this program.

My computer is around 4 years old, running XP, and now the (old) DDR1 ram it uses is harder to come buy and more expensive due to the lack of supply. Currently my computer has 2 512mb ram chips in it, and this causes some problems.

Installing another ram chip, a 1gb one, will not help the speed. Installing 2 more 512 ones will be too expensive, and installing just one 512mb chip will cause instability.

What would be better? Taking out the old chips and getting 2 new 1gb ones (which presumably will be a little bit cheaper from the bundle prices i've seen). Will the new ram work better than the old ones- more specifically does ram get worn out over time?

I'd truthfully be more inclined to believe that your problem lies here...adding more will really only help so much...but...your pretty much stuck with that without a new motherboard...


While I don't think it will help much getting 2 1gb sticks may help a little at times...

@Sojar---really a name change....llllaaaammmmeeeeeee

2) your god your supposed to be able whip some up...don't burst my dreams

Also, DDR1 is extremely expensive, because it is no longer being mass produced. I should whip some up for you I kid!

I have a gig (2x512) of Corsair XMS3200 DDR sitting beside me on my desk. Without matching the specs on the RAM you are using, adding more RAM will actually slow down your computer.
Honestly, you really should consider cleaning up your windows registry, uninstalling anything you don't use and defraging your hard drive. Computer's don't just slow down without a good reason or eight. I have a 939 based computer with 2gigs on it that still does Windows XP 64bit from a cold boot to done is about 20 seconds. And that is the slowest computer in the house.

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Assimilate this knowledge Mesmer in Need. You will comply.

Ideally, taking out the old ones and putting in 2 new 1gigs would be best, but putting in 2 additional 512megs (or 1 gigs) works just as well.
My advice to you is to check around local computer shops, flea markets, and buy/sell sites to try to find some good used RAM. Many people have old RAM kicking around that they'd be happy to part with.
If you get 2x 512 megs (or 1 gigs) to go with your current ones, make sure they have the same speed rating as the current ones. (DDR2700, for example)
If you get 2x 1gigs, that are not the same as the old ones, make sure they are compatable with the cpu/motherboard - check the manual or manufacturers website - and only install them (not the old ones).


No, RAM doesn't wear out over time - at least not in the sense of slowing down the computer. If it's freezing up occasionally, it could be a timing problem. If you get new RAM, and it still freezes up, you could remove the old RAM (if it's still installed) to see if that makes a difference.

Your system is probably slowing down and freezing because of all the junk that Windows accumulates over time. (Hard drive space is another consideration) The best way to fix that is to back up everything you want to keep and do a fresh install of Windows.
In any case, you will find that the whole system runs better with 2gigs of RAM than with just 1gig.