Can I upgrade my RAM?

[egnite987]

So I want to upgrade my RAM, right now my 2 main specs are:

-4GB RAM
-Windows Vista 32 Bit

If I upgrade my computer to Windows 7 64 bit I heard that I can upgrade to 8GB of RAM.

The thing is, is that I did a little research and figured out this is my motherboard:
MSI (Micro Star) MS-7529 (G31M3-L V2)

And these are my specs for my memory:
DDR2 PC2-5300, DDR2 PC2-6400, DDR2 PC2-8500, DDR2 (non-ECC)

My question is, If I upgrade my computer to Windows 7 64 bit will my computer allow me to upgrade to 8GB of RAM even with the motherboard and specs my ram has right now?


*I used crucial.com to find all this out and It also states that my maximum number of RAM is 4GB? Does it say this because I'm currently running a 32 bit OS?

 

[alexoiu]

The board's specs:
Main Memory

• Supports two unbuffered DIMM of 1.8 Volt DDR2 DRAM
• Supports up to 4GB memory size.
http://www.msi.com/product/mb/G31M3-L-V2---G31M3-LS-V2.html#/?div=Detail

So the answer is no, only 4GB supported. It's limited by the chipset.

 

[jaideep1337]

Your board is pretty old so I don't think it can take 4gigs of ram in each slot. Besides 4gb is more than enough for a g31 build. However a 64bit OS will benefit you and will increase the amount of usable ram by about 500 megs since 32 OSs can only use upto 3.5 gigs or so

 

[egnite987]

SO If I upgrade to Windows 7 64-bit, can I upgrade to 8GB of RAM or will my computer not be able to handle it?

 

[rene13cross]

No because your motherboards chipset only supports 4GB as already stated. This is a hardware problem, not software. Simply installing a 64bit OS (if your CPU even supports it) won't allow your current system to use more than 4GB of RAM. To use more, you'll need to upgrade your system, especially the motherboard.

 

[egnite987]

How much would that cost around, just a motherboard that can support 8GB RAM?

 

[swifty_morgan]

a viable upgrade would be motherboard/ram/processor. the 775 boards are few and far between and the ones that are left are bottom of the barrel.

don't waste money on ram. no matter what it won't help even if it would work.

put your "new" 64bit operating system in a new build.

 

[egnite987]

I'm not really that knowledgeable with computer terms yet. Although the reason for my upgrades are mainly for gaming purposes. Are you saying there's a chance it could work?

I am also getting a new processer as well. I've looked through a couple and found that the Intel Core i5 3570k 3.4ghz would be the best choice. Is it possible for me to upgrade to that CPU at all? At the moment I have a pentium Dual core 2.5Ghz CPU.

 

[swifty_morgan]

your motherboard is socket 775. the 3570k is socket 1155. NO, it will not fit in your old motherboard.

you need to upgrade the mobo and ram to use that processor also.

 

[rene13cross]

At this moment in time, the only way you'll be able to upgrade is to change platform (you are currently on the Intel LGA775 platform which is entirely outdated as regards upgrading) so a viable upgrade would be the LGA1155 platform which includes a new processor (3570k that you already suggested), (socket 1155) motherboard and (DDR3) RAM.

 

[egnite987]

@swifty, OH wow thanks swifty.

@rene, What do you mean by platform? Is that a motherboard? Could you link me to the things that I may need?

 

[egnite987]

@rene, Let me clarify, don't worry, researched what you meant. It makes a little more sense now. Could you link to the LGA1155? Is it a motherboard with the cpu I need?

 

[egnite987]

BTW how much would a 1155 motherboard cost? On average? Is it pretty cheap? I don't want anything too expensive I only want to play a few games on it.

And do motherboards fit on any computer?

 

[egnite987]

Hey again guys If It is possible to mix and match things would all these work out perfectly together?

ASRock B75M-DGS Motherboard
Corsair CMT8GX3M2A1866C9 8GB (2x4GB) Dominator GT
Intel Core i5 3570k 3.4GHz
Windows 7 64-bit

 

[swifty_morgan]

looks like it will run fine ... but............... 1600 ram not 1866 and you don't need to buy "dominator". there are others out there that are near the same for less money.

 

[egnite987]

Thank you SO much swifty!

So you're positive all that will run perfectly and work in my computer?

 

[egnite987]

Best answer selected by egnite987.

 

[swifty_morgan]

I'm never sure about anything. .......... the ram, whatever you choose might have to be set to run at speed in the BIOS. more often than not they default to 1333. the BIOS on the AsRock board has settings for it to run at 1600.

 

[egnite987]

And would this work instead?

Corsair CMX8GX3M2A1600C9 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3

 

[swifty_morgan]

has built in XMP.......... auto clocks. should be able to set that in BIOS............

look for a 15% off thing at newegg.......... might be under the new black november thing.......... not sure.

i've used a lot of corsair ram over the years. never can remember ever having problems with any of it. .

 

[swifty_morgan]

10 % off with this code

EMCJJNH45

 

[egnite987]

Thanks for sticking with me Haha

If I buy all that stuff:

Corsair CMX8GX3M2A1600C9 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3
ASRock B75M-DGS Motherboard
Intel Core i5 3570k 3.4GHz
Windows 7 64-bit

Do I need to buy separate heatsinks and things, is it like I'm basically building a new computer? Or can I use the same heatsinks and fans that are already used in my computer currently?

 

[egnite987]

Btw what would all that cost around in AUD?

 

[egnite987]

DO I need to buy fans and stuff If I buy that stuff or will the ones I have now still work?

 

[swifty_morgan]

everything should work fine together. the heat sink that comes with the processor should be good enough. has a nice chunk of copper on it to pull heat off the processor. don't know what AUD is...( money of course ) ..... you'll have to do your research.