Motherboard memory limit is 1gig... is it possible to add more?

[jhawk37750]

hey all. I skimmed through the "Read Before Posting" sticky but did not find an answer to this particular question. I have an HP Pavilion 754n desktop... about four years old. The specs say the memory limit is 1 gig but I sure would like to have more. Is there any way to do this other than buy a new mobo or computer?

Thanks in advance...

Jhawk

 

[Zorg]

No, that's what you get with OEM boxes. You can download Sisoft Sandra Lite. Click Hardware and Mainboard and check for max memory. That will let you know whether you have a shot at it.

 

[rodney_ws]

The HP Pavilion 754n uses PC-2700 type memory and has 2 bank(s) of 1 socket(s) each for a total of 2 memory socket(s) . The HP Pavilion 754n comes standard with 512MB of RAM and supports up to 1GB of RAM .

For optimal performance of your HP Pavilion 754n install the maximum amount of RAM in each memory socket. If all Banks are filled, you can replace the memory in each Socket of that Bank with memory of a higher capacity memory Kit.

 

[jhawk37750]

Rodney - I upgraded a long time ago from 512 to 1 gig. I have a 512 stick in each slot... 2100, I believe, as that's what the specs say.

Are you saying that I could put a 1 gig stick in each socket and that would work?

Thanx,
Jhawk

 

[jhawk37750]

Zorg... thanks for the info. Looks like a nifty diagnostic tool. I'll give it a try.

Jhawk

 

[pavel-]

do they even make pc-2700 1gb sticks?

 

[jhawk37750]

Pavel... yes they do.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&Description=me mory%20kit&bop=And&SrchInDesc=pc%2D2700%201gb%20&Page=1

Scroll about half way down. I'm just not sure if this would work for me since the max is 1gig on my computer. I mean, would my system recognize another gig even if I added it?

 

[Zorg]

If you run Sandra it may put this whole thread to bed. If Sandra reports max ram as 1G then your screwed. If it reports more, then you can try it but there is no guarantee.

Edit: Sandra will tell you max/socket and max/MB

 

[sailer]

hey all. I skimmed through the "Read Before Posting" sticky but did not find an answer to this particular question. I have an HP Pavilion 754n desktop... about four years old. The specs say the memory limit is 1 gig but I sure would like to have more. Is there any way to do this other than buy a new mobo or computer?

Thanks in advance...

Jhawk

I know of two people with these computers. One person tried two gig of ram and it wouldn't boot at all. The other tried two gig and it booted, but only showed 1 gig. I remember that the ram types were different, but not the specifics at the moment. You're probably stuck with getting a new mobo at the least, perhaps a whole new computer if you want to use 2 gig of ram.

 

[jhawk37750]

Okay... thanks for all the help folks. Looks like I'm stuck with 1gig until I can purchase a new rig. *sigh*

 

[rodney_ws]

I think you're stuck at 1GB per the manufacturer's specs. That's the bad news... the good news is that you learned a valuable lesson. Plan ahead! I doubt you'll make the same mistake on your next system.

 

[jhawk37750]

You got that right, Rodney.

I bought the HP about four years ago... I've learned alot since then by upgrading. At least now I know what I need to get in regards to a decent system as well as being easily upgrade-able. Live and learn!

Actually, the Pavilion 754n has been a really good computer. It wasn't until I began playing the MMORPG, EQII, that I started upgrading like mad... new graphics card, new PSU, another 1/2 gig of memory... EQ is a massive game. Other than that, my HP computer kicks butt.

 

[rsetter1]

A single 1Gb stick of ram might run faster than 2-512Mb sticks.
Your system is single channel.
Only one side of ram is used at a time.
The 1Gb stick has (usually) 2 sides of 512mb each. So it goes 512 one side then 512 the other side etc.
With Ram in both slots you still only use one side at a time (single channel) so that would go 256-256-256-256 etc.
If your modules are single side it would be the same.
Will PC3200 work for you?

 

[rsetter1]

Sorry, I read what I wrote.
If you have 2 single side 512mb modules they would be the same as one double side 1gb module. More or less +or- a little

 

[rsetter1]

I really messed that up.
My thinker and typer are out of sync.
With double side 512mb ram in both slots it still only uses one side at a time. 256-256-256-256

 

[Shadow703793]

rsetter1 WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT????? The Max RAM for the HP is 1GB.

 

[rsetter1]

Now what...?

I didnt mess that up too.

A single 1Gb stick of ram might run faster than 2-512Mb sticks.

 

[sailer]

Now what...?

I didnt mess that up too.

A single 1Gb stick of ram might run faster than 2-512Mb sticks.

Yes, I think you messed that one up. The motherboard only recognizes 512mb in each slot. Having two slots, it totals out to 1gb. If you put a 1 gb stick in one slot, it will either only see 512 mb or will fail to boot up at all. Its a limitation in the motherboard, not the ram.

 

[Shadow703793]

Now what...?

I didnt mess that up too.

A single 1Gb stick of ram might run faster than 2-512Mb sticks.

Thank you

 

[Zorg]

That was fun reading.