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Upgrading Memory on Maxed out System

post #1 of 6
2/18/07 at 11:11pm
Thread Starter 
I have a question. It seems that the new memory modules have gone from a max of 1GB per module to 2GB per module. I have a HEL80 Compal system that I just purchased less than 6 months ago with 2GB of memory which is maxed out by its specs. My question is: Can I upgrade the BIOS to pull out the 1GB pieces and put in 2GB pieces. I understand that Corsair makes some kind of module that is compatible to do this. I wanted to see if anyone can direct me around the marketing hype to some real solid answers.

Thanks in Advance.

Agent86
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post #2 of 6
2/19/07 at 1:17am
If the motherboard of the machine supports more than 2gb of ram, then yes you can put in 4gbs.

Otherwise, you're maxed out memory wise and nothing short of a mobo swap will change that.

Upgrading the BIOS will not magically make the max memory supported by the motherboard go up.
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post #3 of 6
2/23/07 at 2:52am
Just in case you don't already know, that would be an utter waste of money. That's a $900-ish upgrade, and won't give you much performance increase. Windows only supports 2gb right now anyway, unless you go x64. If you SERIOUSLY have a need for 4gb RAM, it most likely would work.

Go to www.crucial.com/systemscanner . It might not work on your system because it's a non-mainstream laptop, but it should read the maximum supported RAM and display it for you.
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post #4 of 6
2/24/07 at 3:50pm
Well, XP supports up to 3.2GB, so buying 4gb would be a waste in 32bit XP. If you're planning onupgrading to Vista 4gb might be worth it(depending on what you're using the laptop for), but it's still alot of money. You need to find out first if your laptop will even recognize the 2gb sticks. If it will, then you can upgrade to 4gb. If you're not planning on moving to either 64bit XP or 64bit Vista it will be a waste to get more the 3gb.

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post #5 of 6
6/17/07 at 12:56am
Also realize that even if your computer will accept 4 GB of RAM and you're running a 64-bit OS, you may still not see a full 4 GB of RAM. The 32-bit memory hole must be enabled in the BIOS to allow more than ~3.3 GB of the 4 GB installed RAM to be visible. Unlike the hard limit of 3.2-3.3 GB of RAM, period in 32-bit OSes, a BIOS with no memory hole remapping on a 64-bit OS will only "eat" the RAM between ~3.3 GB and 4.0 GB, and anything above 4 GB is visible as intended. I have dealt with this personally as I have brought several (desktop) machines to 4 GB or more of RAM with varying OSes.

Generally only systems DESIGNED to run with 4 GB of RAM will have the memory hole remapping option in the BIOS. If you can get the computer to run with 4 GB, chances are that you'll only see 3.2-3.3 GB no matter what OS you run, if you have PAE enabled, you are using a 64-bit OS, etc. If I were you, I'd run with 3 GB RAM if I even touched the 2 GB that was in there.
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post #6 of 6
6/17/07 at 7:32pm
Since this thread has resurfaced, I will add that my previous statements on price no longer really applies. 2gb ram chips can be had for as little as $120 now, where 3-4 months ago they were $450 each.
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