essendoubleop

I'm getting my family some upgrades for their computer. This is what they have:

Intel Pentium 4 CPU 2.00 GHz
512 MB RAM
100 GB HDD
A SiS Video Card (?)

I'm currently typing on their computer, so I can find out more information if needed.

I was looking at buying them these two upgrades:

512 Desktop Memory ($30)

GeForce 6200 256 MB Video Card ($40)

They look pretty solid and both have great ratings. My only concern would be if they would actually work on this computer. They got it in like 2000 if that helps.

Lasereth

Both links are dead. What is that videocard for? It's not gonna improve performance on any level. Just curious!!

essendoubleop

Hmm..they still work fine for me.

Anyways the RAM is a CORSAIR ValueSelect 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Desktop Memory

and the video card is a FX PVT44AWANG GeForce 6200 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 AGP 4X/8X Video Card

There's a few kids who will use the computer and they've been complaining about glitches in the Sims. I've seen it and there are really low frame rates.

connyosis

Corsair makes great memory so I doubt you'll have any problems with that.
As for the graphics card, as lasereth said it's a pretty crappy card. If you're looking for something fairly cheap yet pretty fast, I can recommend a 7600GS such as this . Not a powerhouse by any means but well worth the money.

__________________
If atheism is a religion, then not collecting stamps is a hobby.

essendoubleop

I heard something about pins? And how there are a couple different types of cards and might not work with your motherboard? Will these work with what I've listed?

Lasereth

There is a very good chance the ram won't work with it.

1. That CPU is old so the motherboard must be old also. The motherboard may take a RAM format previous to DDR ram so it would have a different amount of pins and wouldn't even fit.

2. The ram you listed is DDR-400, the fastest DDR ram available before it was outdated. That Pentium 4 definitely does not take DDR-400 ram. The ram you listed would be way too fast for the motherboard and CPU and probably wouldn't even boot up.

If you can tell us the motherboard or serial number/service tag of the PC we can find out more about it and link some ram that would work.

essendoubleop

Thanks. I don't know the serial number. They have SiSoftware Sandra which analyzes everything about the computer. If you are familiar with this program, maybe I can find it through that.

Lasereth

Yes, try to find the motherboard or chipset information using SiSoft Sandra. That program should give enough information.

essendoubleop

Serial # 03012002

Any other important information I should provide about the motherboard?

Also, there's a message at the bottom that says all memory slots are full. I take it this means that I need to buy better RAM, not just add more RAM?

Lasereth

Ehh we need more than that. Does it say the motherboard brand or model? Post anything it says about it.

Also, you'll end up replacing the sticks in the PC if all slots are full. That just means you will buy sticks with greater quantities of ram, not necessarily "better" ram.

essendoubleop

Here's the entire log.




SiSoftware Sandra

System
Manufacturer : vpr Matrix, Inc.
Model : Personal Computer
Version : 1.0
Serial Number : 03012002
ID : 7343803D-D6118B3E-E000259D-2DD02518

Mainboard
Manufacturer : Intel Corporation
Multi-Processor (MP) Support : No
Model : D845BG
Version : AAA65251-403
Serial Number : AZBG21305704
System BIOS : 51-2300-000000-00101111-030199-

On-board Devices
Intel ICH2 Audio Device : Sound Adapter (Disabled)
Intel 82559 Ethernet Device : Ethernet Adapter (Enabled)

System Memory Controller
Location : Mainboard
Error Correction Capability : None
Number of Memory Slots : 2
Maximum Installable Memory : 2GB
DIMM0 - J5E3 : DIMM Synchronous DDR-SDRAM 256MB/64 @ 266Mt/s
DIMM1 - J5E1 : DIMM Synchronous DDR-SDRAM 256MB/64 @ 266Mt/s

Chipset 1
Model : Intel Corporation 82845MP Brookdale Host-Hub Interface Bridge (B0-step)
Revision : A5
Bus : Intel AGTL+
Front Side Bus Speed : 4x 100MHz (400MHz data rate)
Maximum FSB Speed : 4x 100MHz (400MHz data rate)
Width : 64-bit
I/O Queue Depth : 12 request(s)
Maximum Bus Bandwidth : 3200MB/s (estimated)

Chipset 1 Hub Interface
Type : Hub-Interface
Version : 1.00
Number of Ports : 1
Width : 8-bit
Full Duplex : Yes
Multiplier : 2/1x
Speed : 4x 66MHz (264MHz data rate)

Logical/Chipset 1 Memory Banks
Bank 0 : 128MB DDR-SDRAM 2.5-3-3-6 (tCL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS) CR1
Bank 1 : 128MB DDR-SDRAM 2.5-3-3-6 (tCL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS) CR1
Bank 2 : 128MB DDR-SDRAM 2.5-3-3-6 (tCL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS) CR1
Bank 3 : 128MB DDR-SDRAM 2.5-3-3-6 (tCL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS) CR1
Supported Memory Types : ECC SDRAM DDR-SDRAM
Memory Bus Speed : 2x 133MHz (266MHz data rate)
Maximum Memory Speed : 2x 133MHz (266MHz data rate)
Multiplier : 4/3x
Width : 64-bit
Memory Controller in Processor : No
Power Save Mode : No
Fixed Hole Present : No
Maximum Memory Bus Bandwidth : 2128MB/s (estimated)

APIC 1
Version : 2.00
Speed : 16MHz
Multiplier : 1/2x
Maximum Interrupts : 24
IRQ Handler Engaged : Yes
Enhanced Support : Yes

Memory Module 1
Manufacturer : Samsung
Model : M3 68L3313CT1-CB0
Serial Number : 210E3708
Type : 256MB DDR-SDRAM
Technology : 16x(16Mx8)
Speed : PC2100U DDR-133
Standard Timings : 2.5-3-3-6 (tCL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS)
Date of Manufacture : Tuesday, May 07, 2002
Memory DC Line : 2.5V
Set Timing @ 133MHz : 2.5-3-3-6 (tCL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS)
Set Timing @ 100MHz : 2.0-2-2-5 (tCL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS)

Memory Module 2
Manufacturer : Samsung
Model : M3 68L3313DTL-CB0
Serial Number : 21320D0E
Type : 256MB DDR-SDRAM
Technology : 16x(16Mx8)
Speed : PC2100U DDR-133
Standard Timings : 2.5-3-3-6 (tCL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS)
Date of Manufacture : Tuesday, May 28, 2002
Memory DC Line : 2.5V
Set Timing @ 133MHz : 2.5-3-3-6 (tCL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS)
Set Timing @ 100MHz : 2.0-2-2-5 (tCL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS)

System Clock Generator
Model : ICS 950201
Software Programmable : Yes
Read-Back Support : Yes
Speed Selected By : Software
Spread Spectrum Modulated : Yes
Number of FSB Speeds : 4
FSB Speed Range : 66 - 200MHz

Environment Monitor 1
Model : SMSC HW LPC
Mainboard Specific Support : No

Environment Monitor 2
Model : AD ADM1025(A) SMB
Version : 0.09
Mainboard Specific Support : No

Temperature Sensor(s)
Board Temperature : 40.0°C / 104.0°F
CPU Temperature : 46.0°C / 114.8°F td

Cooling Device(s)
Auto Fan Speed Control : No
System Fan : 3413rpm

Voltage Sensor(s)
CPU DC Line : 1.49V
Aux DC Line : 1.47V
+3.3V DC Line : 3.29V
+5V DC Line : 4.97V
-12V DC Line : -11.83V

AGP Bus(es) on Hub 1
Version : 2.00
Speed : 4x 66MHz (264MHz data rate)
Multiplier : 1/2x
Fast-Writes Enabled : No
Fast-Writes Support : Yes
Side Band Enabled : No
Side Band Support : Yes
Aperture Size : 64MB

PCI Bus(es) on Hub 1
Version : 2.20
Number of Bridges : 2
PCI Bus 0 : PCI (33MHz)
PCI Bus 2 : PCI (33MHz)
Multiplier : 1/3x

LPC Hub Controller 1
Model : Intel Corporation 82801BA LPC Interface (ICH2 B5 step)
Revision : A6
ACPI Power Management Enabled : Yes
Random Number Generator Support : Yes
Random Number Generator Enabled : No
Delayed Transaction Enabled : Yes

LPC Hub Controller 2
Model : Intel Corporation 82801BA/BAM SMBus Controller (ICH2/ICH2-M B5 step)
Revision : A6

LPC Legacy Controller 1
Type : SMSC LPC v1
Version : 5F.00
Number of Enabled Devices : 5

Sound Adapter 1
Model : Creative Labs SB0102 SBLive! 5.1
Revision : A8
Type : AC '97

USB Controller 1
Model : Intel Corporation 82801BA/BAM USB Controller #1 (ICH2/ICH2-M B5 step)
Revision : A6
Version : 1.10
Interface : UHCI
Channels : 2
Speed : 48MHz
Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full (12Mbps)
Legacy Emulation Enabled : No

USB Controller 2
Model : Intel Corporation 82801BA/BAM USB Controller #2 (ICH2/ICH2-M B5 step)
Revision : A6
Version : 1.10
Interface : UHCI
Channels : 2
Speed : 48MHz
Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full (12Mbps)
Legacy Emulation Enabled : No

System SMBus Controller 1
Model : Intel 801xx/63xx SMBus
Version : 0.05
Specification : 1.00
Advanced TCO Mode Enabled : No
Slave Device Enabled : No
PEC Support : No
Speed : 100kHz

Expansion Slot(s)
J6B2 (1h) : PCI 32-bit +3.3V PME Full-Length Available (Intel Corporation 82845 Brookdale Host-AGP Bridge (B0-step))
J7B1 (2h) : PCI 32-bit +3.3V PME i2c/SMBus Full-Length Used
J8B2 (3h) : PCI 32-bit +3.3V PME Full-Length Used
J8B1 (4h) : PCI 32-bit +3.3V PME Full-Length Used
J9B2 (5h) : PCI 32-bit +3.3V PME Full-Length Available
J5C1 (6h) : AGP-4x 32-bit +5V Full-Length Used

Port Connector(s)
J1A2 - USB1 : USB / USB
J4A2 - USB2 : USB / USB
J2A1 - COM A : Serial Port 16550A / DB-9 pin female
J3A1 - LPT1 : Parallel Port ECP/EPP / DB-25 pin male
J1A1 - Keyboard : Keyboard / PS/2
J1A1 - PS2Mouse : Mouse / PS/2
JA4A1 - LAN : Network / RJ-45
J5A1 - Audio Mic In : Audio / Mini-jack
J5A1 - Audio Line In : Audio / Mini-jack
J5A1 - Audio Line Out : Audio / Mini-jack
J5F2 - Floppy : Floppy Disk
J5F1 - PRI IDE : ATA
J5E4 - SEC IDE : ATA
J5B2 - CDIN : Audio / CD-ROM Sound Input
J5B1 - AUX IN : Audio
J6F1 - Wake On Ring : None
J7F2 - SCSI LED : None
J8F1 - Control Panel : None
j1B2 - Power Supply Fan : None
J1D2 - CPU Fan : None
J6F2 - Configuration Jumper : None
J8E1 - USB Front Panel : None
J2E1 - COM B : None
J2E1 - Front Panel Audio : None

Performance Tips
Notice 224 : SMBIOS/DMI information may be inaccurate.
Warning 2507 : Mainboard has too few memory slots. Upgrading the memory may be difficult or expensive.
Warning 2508 : All memory slots are full. Upgrading the memory may be difficult or expensive.
Tip 2546 : Large memory modules should be ECC/Parity.
Tip 2548 : Speed set by software. For reliability, consider by jumpers/switch.
Tip 2 : Double-click tip or press Enter while a tip is selected for more information about the tip.

Lasereth

Looks like you have the Intel D845BG motherboard. It definitely does not take DDR-400 ram. This is what you will need:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145024

DDR-266 ram. I would buy two of these and replace the two older sticks on the motherboard.

Also, there is a very good chance that the videocard you're thinking about buying will not improve gaming performance at all. It's a piece of shit for gaming, there's no getting around it. If you do buy it, do not be surprised if games don't run any better than they currently do. The cheapest videocard you could buy that has a chance of improving gaming FPS is this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131070

And then again, depending on the game, it may not help out that much if the game is CPU limited. That's the chance you take if you're trying to turn chicken shit into chicken salad though!!

essendoubleop

The only game they play are The Sims 2. It certainly does lag, but this computer won't be used extensively for gaming. What specs are you using to compare the RAM? 512 MB vs. 256 currently installed?

Lasereth

I don't understand the question. What do you mean?

essendoubleop

Well, the diagnostic says that I have "Type : 256MB DDR-SDRAM"
The link you provided is to 512 MB RAM.

Is that the sole specification you look at to determine the better RAM? I guess I'm using circa 1992 logic when SNES was better because it was 16-bit and NES was 8-bit.

Martian

Your system currently has 512 mb of RAM in two modules (what us techy guys generally refer to as 'sticks'). Each stick is 256 mb. Lasereth's recommendation (which I heartily endorse) is to buy two 512mb sticks; then all you'll have to do is pull the old ones out and replace them with the new ones to double your RAM capacity.

Capacity isn't the sole specification used in determining what RAM to buy, but for your purposes it's the biggest one.

__________________
I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said

- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

Lasereth

Ram quantity is what provides a performance boost. The PC currently has two 256 MB sticks. Two 512 MB sticks is double the quantity so the PC will perform better.

essendoubleop

Thanks for the help, I'll think I'll pick up a pair of sticks. I'll just use the money I was planning on using for the video card for an extra stick.

Lasereth

The performance in the sims will go up with the ram, but not by much. Keep that in mind!