Intel Motherboard RAM upgrade - confused

[zapper10]

Hi!

Here are my PC's spec's

XPPro (5.1, Build 2600) Version 2002 Service Pack 3

(32 bit)

Intel Core 2 Duo Processor

Motherboard-Intel DP965LT

6700@2.66 GHz 2 CPU's

.99 Gbz RAM

I have a total of 4 slots for RAM on my motherboard.

I went to upgrade my RAM and I took the instructions with me to the store. I got 3 different answers from 3 different people at to what RAM will work.

I am experiencing one program sucking all the RAM which then kills my internet connection and freezes my screen etc so I think the way to fix this is to to increase RAM to 8 GB. However, I read that 32 bit systems are limited to 4 Gbs of RAM usage.

I went to Intel and d.l'ed the memory tool they have available and it told me something different then the aforementioned 3 store people.

I was told by store people that I could only use 1 or 2 GB PC2-5300 DDR DIMM memory.

Another told me I could use 1 or 2 GB PC2-6300 DDR

I ran the Intel mem tool and it said I could use-

-for 8 GB- Use DDR2 667 or DDR2 533 DIMMs

-for 4 GB- Use DDR2 800 DIMMs

When at the store I didn't see any memory with the 667 or 533 only 5300 or 6300.

On the outside of my motherboard box it says "supports 1066 / 800 / 533 Mhz"

So, why does my PC (in properties) say 6700@2.66 GHz? 2.66 GHz doesn't match what the Intel box says.

Anyway I would greatly appreciate if a kind soul could help me sort this out so I don't buy a bunch of memory that my system won't use.

thanks ahead of time!

[Kelsenellenelvian]

Lets try and clarify things abit:

1 = the 6700 refered to is the CPU. (Intel E6700) which is running 2 cores at 2.66 gigs <-- Has very little to do with the ram and speed

2 = 6300 IS the same as ddr2 800.

3 = Yes unless you want to use a 64 bit os you only want to put 4 gigs in your system (Note windows will only "See" 3.25-3.5 gigs of that)

4 = ddr2 runs in dual channel so you will see the best performance from matched sets. Therefore if you want to stick to 32bit (x86) you want to buy 4 1gig sticks of dd2 6300.

On the outside of my motherboard box it says "supports 1066 / 800 / 533 Mhz"

This is the ram speed supported by your motherboard.

HTH

Here ---> http://ark.intel.com/products/22640/Intel-Desktop-Board-DP965LT is a spec page on your motherboard.

Edited October 20, 2011 by Kelsenellenelvian

[puntoMX]

On that motherboard you can use both 667 and 800 (PC2-5300U and PC2-6400U), up to 2GB for each slot, however, due to chipset limits you can not run the 8GB PC2-6400U at that speed and so the motherboard will lower it to PC2-5300U (667MHz DDR). Just to make things simple as you are no tech, get the 667MHz PC2-5300U, you can get them cheap on eBay for example or at newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148236 get 2 or 4 sticks (with 64bit OS install).

[zapper10]

Thank you both very much for the help. I now understand what to do. I am glad i didn't buy the 8 gigs (2GB X 4) and asked here first.

Cheers!