Windows Vista RAM optimizer

Is there a RAM optimizer you folks would recommend - I have 4 Gigs of RAM aboard - 2 GiGs Kingston - 2Gigs Transcend - wondering if there is an optimizer that is the best or if it is necessary at all.

 

I am not sure you would really get much benefit from an optimizer. If you really think about it if RAM optimization were possible Microsoft developers would likely have integrated it into the kernel already.

If your system and OS can handle it I would just add more RAM. Windows Vista Memory limits can be found at this link.

I cannot comment of optimizers available since I don't use them but maybe someone here who does will reply soon.

Mitch

 

The last time someone poured snake oil into their laptop, it caught fire. I've got the maximum RAM aboard (4 gigs) but there is plenty of optimizers out there - and I'm sure they've only got our best interest in mind!?!

If someone else has got advice, please do so. Thanks!

 

You are right! They have your interest in mind.......your wallet!
Get out your fire extinguisher ready!

 

Assuming your OS is 32Bit a RAM optimizer won't help you, even if they worked they'll still only allow acces to a maximum of 4GB address space.

I'm with Arie on this though. They're about as useful as a chocolate teapot

 

Appreciate the advice. It seems just googling the phrase, that these Optimizers can do too much. I think I'll go for the chocolate teapot.
I've got a 2 Gig Kingston RAM and an 2Gig Transcend RAM - please tell me this is going to present no problem(s).

 

Personally I don't like mixing memory manufacturers / types etc but if you've not experienced any issues then you should be OK.

Use SIW and follow these instructions to complete your system details (see my system under my username in this post for an example).

You will also obtain more information regarding your memory which if you post here will help answer your question.

 

Here's what I got from SIW regarding memory - tell me if this is helps in the answer or if this is what you were looking for.

------------------------------
Property Value
Lumbergumrubber PC (TOSHIBA Satellite P200)
Memory Summary
Maximum Capacity 3072 MBytes
Memory Slots 2
Error Correction None
DRAM Frequency 266.1 MHz
Memory Timings 4-4-4-12 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS)
Device Locator Slot 1
Manufacturer Transcend Information
Part Number JM800QSU-2G
Serial Number 00001111
Capacity 2048 MBytes
Memory Type DDR2 (PC2-6400)
Speed 400 MHz (DDR2 800)
Supported Frequencies 266.7 MHz, 333.3 MHz, 400.0 MHz
Memory Timings 4-4-4-12-16 at 266.7 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Memory Timings 5-5-5-15-20 at 333.3 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Memory Timings 6-6-6-18-24 at 400.0 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Data Width 64 bits
Manufacturing Date 2009, Week 38
EPP SPD Support No
XMP SPD Support No
Device Locator Slot 2
Part Number MALABS
Capacity 2048 MBytes
Memory Type DDR2 (PC2-5300)
Speed 333 MHz (DDR2 667)
Supported Frequencies 200.0 MHz, 266.7 MHz, 333.3 MHz
Memory Timings 3-3-3-9-12 at 200.0 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Memory Timings 4-4-4-12-16 at 266.7 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Memory Timings 5-5-5-15-20 at 333.3 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Data Width 64 bits
EPP SPD Support No
XMP SPD Support No

 

Are you seeing 4GB (actually around 3.5Gb)?

Different memory types as well as manufacturer, I definately wouldn't be happy with that in my system but I'll let others more informed comment on consequences.

 

Vista 32 bit will report 3.5 even though there is 4 GIGs - I only installed this new Transcend memory last evening. I told the fellow it was PC5300 I needed but obviously he installed something different, even though the specs on this system (according to him) will accept (and is) DDR2 PC26400.

No problems thus far - all is working ok - anyone else with more advice, please do so.

 

I just called Toshiba Support - Senior Technician says he has the same scenerio regarding his system - two different memory sticks each at different speeds. He says of course, the DDR2-PC6400 will actually run at the speed of the DDR2-PC5300 but will not cause any confliction whatsoever.
I shall keep though, a Fire Extinguisher close at hand perchance this thing goes up into a ball of flame!!!

 

I know, but according to SIW your memory capacity is 3GB not 4GB, that's why I asked? SIW could be wrong though.

Yes the faster memory should step down to the lower speed, it's just a bugbear of mine mixing memory types.

If all is well don't worry about it.

 

Wildfire, from what I understand, the 32 bit operation only reads 3.5 GIGs and yet will access the 4GIGs, though Vista uses most of that which is not shown (the extra 5 megs). But it's too complicated for a novice such as myself. Before, I had 2.5 GIGs - one stick of 2GIGs and a 500 MEG stick.
That was so, as when I bought the unit, it had a 1.5 GIG, so I took out the 1GIG stick and inserted the 2GIG and left the 500 MEG in there. Why did I do that? That is the question that shall not and cannot be answered.
Also, the actual capacity of this unit is 4 GIGs - two slots that will and do hold two GIGs each.
Appreciate the feedback. Thank you!

 

Just an observation. Although both modules can run at 333.3 MHz they appear to be set at 266 MHz.

Me, I would try reversing the modules in the slots. The BIOS might then reset them. (It appears to be a notebook, so that might not be possible.)

Look in the BIOS (startup configuration) for something like "optimal" defaults.

A lot of computers have limitations on extending the amount of RAM. You will need to find any information about adding RAM

RAM settings could possibly be set manually, but if you force higher speeds overheating problems might occur.

I have investigated memory optimisers to some extent. One of the main criticisms is that if they rearrange the data/information, the rearrangement itself probably defeats any benefit.

Matt

 

From the userguide P138

 

Yo Mattman - this indeed is a laptop. So I would take it that there is no way to really to adjust the BIOS settings for the RAM according to what you are saying. Am I then correct in my interpreting your posting?

 

I wasn't completely certain the machine was a laptop. In a desktop computer the modules can easily be swapped around.

You can look in the BIOS/startup configuration, but I doubt there will be a way to manually adjust the RAM settings. Wildfire's quote probably explains why it is set that way.

You might want to try finding a matching module to the original. I looked up some specifications (there are lots of different models in the P200 series) and it said 333.3 MHz was the maximum memory speed. Without matching (or very similar) modules the system probably drops to the next closest level. ...[You should put the system specifications in your WindowsBBS user profile (see the earlier posts) so that we can look up specific information about your system.]

To be honest, I have never (hardly ever) adjusted settings from what they are automatically set to by the computer itself. I try to work with the system so that there are no unexpected problems.

You could be a little lucky that the new RAM "works ". I think if you want it to work at "optimum ", get modules that match (and that means getting the same brand and model...two matching Transend modules might work, two of the original 2GB brand might work). A matching brand/model is your best bet, although it might still drop back to a lower setting.

Test each of your modules separately. Check if they work at the computer's (motherboard's) maximum RAM speed.

There are a lot of blanks to fill in and Toshiba might not make it easy to fill them in. Matching RAM to a motherboard is somewhat hit and miss. As I said, you might have been lucky to get as far as you have.

Matt

 

Thanks for the info mattman - I've sent the specs to the Dealer where I got the RAM this past Friday. There's two tech's there that are quite sharp. Obviously they weren't there the other night when the RAM was put in. And can one notice with the naked eye the speed difference between 333 mhz and 266 mhz? As stated earlier, Toshiba says there is and will be no problem. The Supervisor there told me he has the same scenerio in his system. Someone bought him RAM for a gift and he placed it in his computer, saying he knew it would create no problem(s). I'll be interested today to hear what my Dealer has to say. Appreciate your input mattman.