Computer Memory -

[woodchopper]

My computer had got too slow so I investigated adding more memory to it - the system said there was 3GB installed and could accept a maximum of 4GB. I removed one of the two RAM chips from their slots and changed the 1GB chip to a 2GB chip and has improved the performance greatly - what is it that limits the size of RAM that can be installed? The size of the RAM chip or something else? As I would like to add more.

[bhg481]

The operating system. A 32bit operating system can only address 4GB.

[woodchopper]

Computer system says I have a 64 bit o/s - can I add more?

[Togo]

Ah woodchopper it can get serious. Motherboard spec, processor speed, hard drive, graphics card. Do some serious research if you are thinking of an upgrade. Will your power supply support any upgrades, does the cooling fan need better performance. I am about to upgrade my desk top to run a solid state hybrid hard drive but keep putting it off, just in case I have not got it right.

[SlackAlice]

Motherboard basically has limit on max size per ram slot. Highly unlikely to be worthwhile economically to use the upper limit.

I've found W7 and W10 performance for the average user to be quite acceptable at 4Gb split into 2 sticks.

My highish end gaming machine uses 16Gb split into 2 matched sticks of 8Gb each, although it is capable of using 32Gb total. Never found any need to go over what I have fitted and would agree it is 'over the top' for ordinary use

[VHG]

>>>the system said there was 3GB installed and could accept a maximum of 4GB.

You have answered your own question, your motherboard can only accept 4GB of memory.

Newer motherboards can accept 16Gb or more.

Depending what you use your PC for going much above 3GB or 4 GB is rarely worth it. You may need more for intensive computer work but not for everyday "office" use.

Buying too much memory is like needing to carry 1 litre of water around, but buying a bucket that can hold 10 litres of water.

Great that your bucket can hold 10 litres of water, but not much good if you only ever put 1 litre of water in it.

[CrapAtCryptics]

Usually googling your machine make and model number followed by maximum memory will find you the spec. Or downloading the crucial memory tool which identifies your memory and offers exapnsion options - dont necessarily buy it from them though as they arent the cheapest.