Best RAM Upgrade for Asus P4S266-VX Motherboard | DDR PC2700, 1GB Max Capacity

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around upgrading the RAM for an Asus P4S266-VX motherboard, specifically addressing the maximum capacity and suitable types of RAM (PC2100 vs. PC2700) for improving performance in a Windows XP environment. Participants explore various configurations and their implications for performance, cost, and practicality.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests upgrading to 1.5GB of PC2700 DDR RAM, proposing a combination of a 1GB chip and a 512MB chip, while noting the current 256MB chip would be discarded.
  • Another participant argues that 1.5GB of PC2700 is excessive for the old computer and recommends considering a complete system upgrade instead.
  • Some participants emphasize that even a modest upgrade to 512MB or 1GB would significantly enhance performance, especially given the demands of Windows XP.
  • There is a suggestion to buy three 512MB sticks of PC2100, highlighting that this would provide a considerable performance boost for a low investment.
  • Confusion arises regarding the number of RAM slots available on the motherboard, with some participants asserting there are three slots, while others reference conflicting information from different sources.
  • Concerns are raised about the compatibility and performance implications of using PC2700 over PC2100, with some noting that lower CAS latency in PC2100 may yield better performance despite the higher MHz of PC2700.
  • Several participants share personal experiences with similar upgrades, asserting that older systems can still perform adequately with the right RAM configuration.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the necessity and value of upgrading to PC2700 versus PC2100, with some advocating for a more conservative upgrade while others support maximizing the RAM capacity. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the optimal configuration and the actual number of RAM slots available on the motherboard.

Contextual Notes

There are conflicting reports about the number of RAM slots on the Asus P4S266-VX motherboard, with some sources indicating three slots while others suggest only two. Additionally, the performance implications of using different types of RAM (PC2100 vs. PC2700) are debated, with no consensus reached on which is preferable.

Edgardo
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My 5 year old pc has 256MB ram and I would like to buy new ram (because with WinXP it runs very slowly). But I don't know which ram to buy.
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1) I've installed the program "Everest" and it gives the following information:
Motherboard Name: Asus P4S266-VX
If i click on SPD Everest shows: DDR SDRAM, PC2100 (133MHz)
---
2) I've also installed the program "CPU-Z" and it says the following:
SPD (Slot #1)
Module Size: 256 MBytes
Max Bandwidth: PC2100 (133 MHz)
Frequency 100MHz 133MHz


---

3) Then I went to the website "crucial.com" which says:
# Maximum Memory Capacity: 1536MB
# Currently Installed Memory: 256MB
# Available Memory Slots: 1
# Number of Banks: 2
# Dual Channel Support: No
# CPU Manufacturer: GenuineIntel
# CPU Family: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.00GHz Modell 2, Stepping 4
# CPU Speed: 2018 MHz

On the left hand side of the website it says:
Currently installed memory:
[256MB] [EMPTY]
Each memory slot can hold DDR PC2700 with a maximum of 1GB per slot.*
*Not to exceed manufacturer supported memory.
---


What ram should I buy?
 
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Sounds like you should get 1.5gb of PC 2700 DDR RAM, a 1 GB chip and a 512 MB chip would give you the maximum allowed amount of ram for your computer, 1536 MB (you would just throw out your 256MB chip that's in there right now). If you want to keep the chip that's in there, then you could get a 1GB chip of PC 2100 DDR RAM, and have a total of 1280 MB.
 
Buying 1.5 GB of PC 2700 is definitely overkill for such an old computer. Also PC 2700 is not worth the investment as it is too slow for present day processors. If your computer is slow I would consider upgrading the motherboard, cpu and the memory.
 
Not only is PC2700 too slow for modern machines, most take DDR2.

But a 1Gb (or even 512Mb) stick will cost around $20 and make a huge difference
It is worth upgrading the memory, unless you have suddenly got an interest in non-linear video editing or fluid dynamics simulations the 2.0Ghz P4 will be fine.
It browsed the web and wrote word docs 3years ago - why shouldn't it now?
 
I second that. Another 512 or 1gig on that computer will make a huge difference. MS should have made 512 the minimum for XP - it takes more than 256 megs just to boot and once you fill that, you're using your hard drive as ram. Simple things like switching between open programs can take seconds when it should take miliseconds.
 
I would buy three 512MB sticks of PC2100 and be done with it. The difference in performance going from 256 to 1.5GBs will be considerable... especially for just a $60 investment.

The only reason I would step up to PC2700 though, is if you intend to overclock at all. (Which a Northwood does very well.)
 
MeJennifer said:
Buying 1.5 GB of PC 2700 is definitely overkill for such an old computer. Also PC 2700 is not worth the investment as it is too slow for present day processors. If your computer is slow I would consider upgrading the motherboard, cpu and the memory.

Considering 1.5gb of PC2700 would cost about $35, I don't think it's THAT big of an investment, and will considerably increase the performance of the computer. Buying a new motherboard, cpu, and memory would cost at least 10 times that if not more, so the comparison doesn't really work; plus its a bit of slippery slope, if you're upgrading all of that why not just spend $500-$600 and just build a whole new computer, keeping the old one as a web surfer or network storage box.

The choices as I see them are buy 1 gb of PC2100 for about $25, or 1.5gb of PC2700 for $35 (and toss the 256mb chip already in there). Either will give a significant performance boost.
 
russ_watters said:
Only two slots...

It seems there might be some confusion on how many slots there are...

http://www.satech.com/motherboard-m...memory-asus-p4s266-vx-motherboard-memory.html says 3 slots for "P4S266-VX" ... which makes sense for a maximum of 1.5 GB (.5GB per slot).

I usually trust crucial to get it right... but maybe they made a mistake this time.

google.com/search?q=P4S266-VX+(slots+OR+banks)

Given the cost of the RAM upgrade, I'd vote for that... unless you're looking for an excuse to buy (and setup) a new computer.
 
  • #10
It seems that the Asus P4S266-VX motherboard has 3 ram slots according to many other websites. However, buying a 1gb chip and a 512mb chip is still the cheapest way to get to 1.5 gb, unless you keep the extisting 256mb chip.
 
  • #11
There are three slots. All DDR motherboards of those types have three slots. I've worked on quite a few Sony Vaio's which have this exact motherboard. Here's an actual picture of the motherboard we're talking about...

http://www.vaiosite.com/review/vaio/desk/mxs3/p4s266.jpg

I still say keep the ram matched evenly for maximum performance. Those boards are finicky if you try to use 1GB in anyone slot (will only register 768MB), so buying a 1GB will be wasting money. Just buy three 512MB sticks and be done with it.
 
Last edited:
  • #12
Also, the PC2700 is not faster due to the MHz difference (133 vs 166). PC2100 has a lower CAS latency which actually yields faster performance than PC2700.
 
  • #13
  • #14
B. Elliott said:
Here we go.

Kingston PC2100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820140003

Total investment for 1.5GBs shipped to your door: $57.96

You would then have the maximum memory the PC can support and the ram will all match in density (effective for it to operate in Dual-channel mode)

Um...
that says " 128MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 266 (PC 2100) "

How do you get $57.96 shipped?
 
  • #16
I'm with McJennifer,
Buying 1.5 GB of PC 2700 is definitely overkill for such an old computer.
1 or 2 512 MB sticks are probably just fine.
 
  • #17
Mk said:
I'm with McJennifer,

1 or 2 512 MB sticks are probably just fine.

If that particular style of RAM was expensive, I'd agree.
But for this price of $17 for 512MB [which is likely to become more expensive], you might as well take advantage of it and max it out now.

Recently, I got two 2GB-sticks for my 2yr-old laptop.
The price of one of those 2GB-sticks was half the price of a 1GB-stick for my wife's older laptop. So, if you have the opportunity to get ram at the price above, you might as well go for it.

What's wrong with using an older computer if it works?
...especially if it is still using the older software?
 
  • #18
robphy said:
If that particular style of RAM was expensive, I'd agree.
But for this price of $17 for 512MB [which is likely to become more expensive], you might as well take advantage of it and max it out now.

Recently, I got two 2GB-sticks for my 2yr-old laptop.
The price of one of those 2GB-sticks was half the price of a 1GB-stick for my wife's older laptop. So, if you have the opportunity to get ram at the price above, you might as well go for it.

What's wrong with using an older computer if it works?
...especially if it is still using the older software?

I agree. The computer we're talking about really isn't that old. Like I said previously I've worked with these motherboards before. Two of them I maxed out the memory at 1.5GBs and doaded Vista onto them... which it runs just fine (1GB of ram being the minimum, the extra 512MBs helps quite a bit.). It whizzes through XP. If you add a newer video card, you can even enable Aero Glass... which it again can run just fine.

Still pretty up to stuff for an 'old computer'.
 
  • #19
Thanks for all the answers and the help, especially Elliott.
I'm going to buy two of the 512 MB ram PC2100 and let the 256 MB in the first slot.

In case there is no PC2100 but only PC2700 in the shop, is it also possible to use PC2700?
 
  • #20
Usually you can only use one kind of RAM, and can't use PC2100 and PC 2700 together. Some motherboards will automatically underclock a PC 2700 chip to run at PC2100 speed, but that's not guaranteed on all boards.

I would recommend price shopping here, you will be able to see what memory is available for all over the internet that way.

http://www.pricewatch.com/system_memory/
 
  • #21
Ok, then I'll go for the pc2100. Thanks.
 

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