Considering RAM Upgrade: compatibility question

[Dan Baker]

Hi,

I have an M2N4-SLI motherboard (it's relatively old now). It has 4 ports for RAM. I only have 2GB of RAM and it really needs an upgrade. I haven't got much money at the moment so I am looking for the cheapest way to upgrade. I currently have:
2 x Patriot PSD21G6672 1GB 2Rx8 667MHz PC2-5300 DDR2 RAM Memory

installed.

I could buy another 2 of these to make it 4GB (for a total of £40 found on ebay) but i am guessing this is not the best option. I just don't know about compatibility etc. I believe i am correct in saying i can only get DDR2? I am looking to upgrade it to at least 4, possibly 8GB (depending on price) Where is a good place to buy RAM from and what RAM is compatible with this motherboard - what do i have to look out for? number of pins? make? etc.

Thanks,

Dan.

 

[jimthenagual]

Here is a list of compatible ram for you:
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/M2N4SLI/#support_QVL (download the file)

That is not to say that the listed ones are the ONLY ones that will work, but these have been pre-tested and approved on your motherboard. You want DDR2 553, DDR2 667 or DDR2 800 ram, the higher the number, the faster the ram.

 

[Dan Baker]

Ah thanks. I did look on the website but didn't see that document. I assume it doesn't matter if the manufacturer of the RAM i buy is not the same as the manufacturer of my current ram. I saw this on amazon:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Komputerbay-667MHz-PC2-5300-PC2-5400-Desktop/dp/B004LT8MN8/ref=sr_1_2?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1379263858&sr=1-2&keywords=ram+ddr2+667+1gb
Komputerbay 2GB 2X 1GB DDR2 667MHz PC2-5300 PC2-5400 DDR2 667 (240 PIN) DIMM Desktop Memory CL 5
by Komputerbay .

It's made by Komputerbay who aren't listed on the compatibility list but it's DDR2 667 DIMM like I have. Do you think this would work (it's the best for the price). The other one i saw was this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kingston-Technology-667MHz-DDR2-Non-ECC/dp/B0009JR82U/ref=sr_1_3?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1379263858&sr=1-3&keywords=ram+ddr2+667+1gb
Kingston Technology 1GB 667MHz DDR2 Non-ECC CL5 DIMM

.. this one is listed on the compatiblity list so is the more secure option, but is a bit more expensive (i'm a poor student).

Also If I were to go, say for DDR 800 Ram 2 x 1GB to go along side the 667 RAM I have, would this be compatible? (I assume so) :

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Komputerbay-800MHz-PC2-6300-PC2-6400-Desktop/dp/B004LTCHW0/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1379264811&sr=1-1&keywords=ram+ddr2+800+1gb
Komputerbay 2GB 2X 1GB DDR2 800MHz PC2-6300 PC2-6400 DDR2 800 (240 PIN) DIMM Desktop Memory


...and would it actually make a huge difference compared to DDR 667 RAM? I realise it is faster but how would the computer know to use it primarily over the RAM i currently have. Maybe I can configure this...
Thoughts appreciated.

Dan.