ddr2 ram upgrade

[jaspergrass88]

Hi, I'd like to thank everyone in advance for any answers. I'm looking to upgrade my RAM and from what I've read the most my motherboard will allow is 16gb. I am running a Dell inspiron 545 with a few mods that I've done myself.
CPU: Core 2 Quad q9650 3.0ghz 2997mhz
GPU: EVGA 750ti 2gb superclocked in the 1x PCI-e slot
RAM: I have 3 of the 4 DIMM slots used, I believe total ram I have is 10gb. I'm looking to maximize this to atleast 16gb.
Im confused though because when I look at my performance screen it says I have 3.3/`0.7 commited but than when I look at system info it says installed physical RAM it says 4gb. I guess my question is that is there a max RAM you can have on the stock motherboard of this Dell inspiron 545 and if there is what is it. Also, what is the average cost, from what I've been able to find I've found 16 gb ram(4x4gb sticks) from $30-$45 dollars. Is this normal? Does it matter which DIMM 800mhz stick I buy, as long as its ddr2 DIMM?

EDIT: added a .jpeg for additional info
https://ibb.co/e2yvN5

 

[nitinvaid20]

that 10.7 GB is your physical memory
Installed RAM is only 4GB in your system

 

[Emerald]

Are you running a 32-bit OS?

 

[nitinvaid20]

Are you running a 32-bit OS?

its X64 check the screenshot

 

[rgd1101]

Are you running a 32-bit OS?

its X64 check the screenshot

That the system(CPU type) not the OS.

 

[jaspergrass88]

that 10.7 GB is your physical memory
Installed RAM is only 4GB in your system

Are you running a 32-bit OS?

its X64 check the screenshot

ok so since I have 3 of 4 slots used that means I have 1x2gb stich and 2x1gb. Do you know off hand of my MOBO will allow more than 8gb or 16gb? Whether its 8gb or 16gb, what do you believe is the average cost?

 

[jaspergrass88]

Are you running a 32-bit OS?

its X64 check the screenshot

That the system(CPU type) not the OS.

my windows 10 is 64 bit

 

[rgd1101]

http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/compatible-upgrade-for/Dell/inspiron-545

 

[derekullo]

You can use a program called CPU-Z to tell you all about your ram; how many slots you have, how much is in that slot, the speed of the ram in that slot ...

The configuration of your current ram is most likely as you predicted 1x2gb and 2x1gb.

You do indeed have 4 slots to work with.
http://downloads.dell.com/manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_inspiron_desktop/inspiron-545_service%20manual_en-us.pdf#%5B%7B%22num%22%3A30%2C%22gen%22%3A0%7D%2C%7B%22name%22%3A%22XYZ%22%7D%2C72%2C720%2C0%5D

Unfortunately the maximum amount of ram you are able to install is 8 gigabytes.
http://www.dellmemoryram.com/dell-computer-ram/DellInspiron545DDR2800MHz.html
http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/compatible-upgrade-for/Dell/inspiron-545

So you could keep the single 2 gigabyte stick you have and buy 3 more 2 gigabyte sticks to get a total of 8 gigabytes of ddr2.

The average cost is $23 for 2 gigabytes
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4A05W93423

Or $69 for 3 of them assuming you are going to reuse your current 2 gigabyte stick.

 

[derekullo]

They have cheaper ddr2-800 ram on newegg like NEMIX RAM 2GB DDR2 800MHz for $13.
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA7S62VZ7588

But I have never heard of them before so I am hesitant to buy from them.

I try to stick to the more well known brands; Corsair, Crucial, G.skill, Kingston, Mushkin or Patriot

 

[jaspergrass88]

You can use a program called CPU-Z to tell you all about your ram; how many slots you have, how much is in that slot, the speed of the ram in that slot ...

The configuration of your current ram is most likely as you predicted 1x2gb and 2x1gb.

You do indeed have 4 slots to work with.
http://downloads.dell.com/manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_inspiron_desktop/inspiron-545_service%20manual_en-us.pdf#%5B%7B%22num%22%3A30%2C%22gen%22%3A0%7D%2C%7B%22name%22%3A%22XYZ%22%7D%2C72%2C720%2C0%5D

Unfortunately the maximum amount of ram you are able to install is 8 gigabytes.
http://www.dellmemoryram.com/dell-computer-ram/DellInspiron545DDR2800MHz.html
http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/compatible-upgrade-for/Dell/inspiron-545

So you could keep the single 2 gigabyte stick you have and buy 3 more 2 gigabyte sticks to get a total of 8 gigabytes of ddr2.

The average cost is $23 for 2 gigabytes
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4A05W93423

Or $69 for 3 of them assuming you are going to reuse your current 2 gigabyte stick.

So in the end do you think 8gb of ram will be enough to run some of the newer titles like Players unknown or the Elder scrolls series? As of right now I run dark souls 3 on med settings with no problems. Also, if I max out my RAM, would it be necessary to update my GPU to play some of these newer AAA games or are they doable with my current system?

 

[derekullo]

I would upgrade the gpu to something like a Geforce 1050 or a Geforce 1060.

The Geforce 1050 requires a 300 watt power supply which is the same requirement as the current 750 you have so it should work for sure.

It isn't super taxing, but you should make sure your psu is at least 400 watts for a Geforce 1060.

The main thing holding you back is the cpu, which being so old i wouldn't recommend replacing due to it being a waste of money.

The reasoning for buying a Geforce 1050 or Geforce 1060 with a severely limiting cpu is that worst case this doesn't work and your fps is still really low, you can reuse the Geforce 1050 or 1060 in your next computer.

 

[derekullo]

Going from 4 gigabytes of ram to 8 gigabytes is recommended even for nongaming activities.

Programs load a bit faster.

Windows may start a bit quicker.

Think of your ram as your desk at work.

If you have a small desk like a 1ft x 1ft coffee table you can't get much work done due to no place to put other papers and it being difficult to write.

With a big desk like 6ft x 6ft you can get lots of work done.

But the limiting factor in this analogy is still you the writer / cpu.

 

[derekullo]

The newer games expect you to have 8 gigabytes of ram.

The main components they tax are the cpu and gpu.

Having 8 gigabytes or even 32 gigabytes of ram isn't going to mask a Core 2 Quad q9650 and a Geforce 750.

Upgrading your gpu can in some situations can take the load off of the cpu making the cpu bottleneck less apparent.

This is what we are shooting for with getting a Geforce 1050 or Geforce 1060.