Unless you're running a 64 bit operating system, your computer will not be able to address 4gb of RAM. That's step one.

Step 2, RAM will always revert to the lowest common denominator. So if you did for some reason combine 5-5-5-12 and 5-5-5-18 sticks, the RAM will all run at 5-5-5-18.

I would recommend getting the patriots (or other 2x2 kits) and replacing the 2x1 sticks (if your system is a 64-bit system). It's always better to have fewer (2 for dual channel), larger sticks than many small sticks.

Good deal, OP, RAM is getting ridiculously cheap these days

clarkkent06 said:Unless you're running a 64 bit operating system, your computer will not be able to address 4gb of RAM. That's step one.

Step 2, RAM will always revert to the lowest common denominator. So if you did for some reason combine 5-5-5-12 and 5-5-5-18 sticks, the RAM will all run at 5-5-5-18.

I would recommend getting the patriots (or other 2x2 kits) and replacing the 2x1 sticks (if your system is a 64-bit system). It's always better to have fewer (2 for dual channel), larger sticks than many small sticks.


Good deal, OP, RAM is getting ridiculously cheap these days

Thanks for the info.

How do i know what bit my operating system is. I am using Windows XP professional, is that good enough?

Also how do i find out the latency of the current ram i am using WITHOUT opening my pc box.

I bought a top of the line PC a little bit over a year ago, but its prob a dinosaur now.

Thanks

Generally speaking, putting 4GB ram in a 32 bit system will run better than 2GB in a 32Bit system. The 32bit Windows can't make use of the entire 4GB, just 3.66GB of the 4GB.

Windows XP and previous are 32bit. (can utilize up to 3.6GB ram)

Vista 32 is 32 bit (can utilize up to 3.6GB ram)

Vista 64 is 64 bit. (can utilize up to 16GB of ram)

Good price, but I hate paying Ohio tax on all of these fry's deals with no B&M here

dang it... someone wanna buy 4x1GB sticks? ROFL

This is good RAM. I have it running in two C2D rigs, at 5-5-5-15 1.8v 800Mhz. I think the rated voltage is 2.0 or 2.1, but for me it runs fine at 1.8v. YMMV.

To answer your question a little more directly: I'm guessing from your question that you are running a 32 bit version of Windows Xp or Vista, that you have 4 memory slots on your motherboard, two slots are currently used with 1GB in each slot -listed in the link of your post. If this is correct I would do one of two things:

1. 1) Buy this set listed here by OP or this 4GB kit from Kinston at Fry's as well that is $5 cheaper HERE -also with free shipping. If you go this route, I would take your old ram out of your system and use it elsewhere or sell them. Keeping them in your system will do you no good whatsoever.
   
2. 2) Buy another 2GB kit of the same ram you have and use all four slots on your motherboard.

Now, if you wanted to "future proof" your system (with all other factors aside), you could upgrade your OS to 64bit and use your old ram with your new ram to utilize all 6GB of ram (your current 2GB plus 4GB of new)...

BTW DDR2 RAM is getting so cheap nowadays because DDR3 RAM is out and becoming used more and more -IMHO.