Member Avatar for Shmeff

I've been looking to upgrade my RAM for a while now, but I don't know what kind of RAM i have, SD or DDR. The PC information window in the control panel won't tell me, so i have no idea what to do to find out.

EDIT: The crucial system scan didn't work. It said it couldn't get all the information.

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raised the right questions and and have already pointed toward the usual tools and opening the case. The key missing pieces are (1) the exact mainboard model (the string “Springdale‑P” is the chipset name, not the board part number) and (2) how to populate the four DIMM sockets so dual‑channel works with mixed module sizes.

To get a reliable board ID without guessing from the chipset: query the system BIOS/SMBIOS. On Windows run:

wmic baseboard get product,manufacturer,version,serialnumber

On Linux use:

sudo dmidecode -t baseboard

If those fields are blank (common on some OEM boards), check the PCB silkscreen near the PCI slots, the memory slots, or the sticker on the case/underside of the board; the BIOS setup screen often shows the exact model too.

On mixing a pair of 256MB modules with a pair of 1GB modules: dual‑channel will operate correctly only if each memory channel holds the same total capacity. That means placing one 1GB and one 256MB on each channel (use the color‑coded slots or the DIMM_A1/DIMM_B1 markings on the board to match channels). Modules must also be the same DDR generation (DDR vs DDR2 etc.), and it’s best if voltage and JEDEC timings are compatible — the system will typically run all sticks at the slowest common speed/timings. After installation, confirm the BIOS reports the expected total and run a memory tester (MemTest86 or similar) to validate stability.

Practical checks and cautions: power down and discharge before touching DIMMs; seat modules until both latches click; if a utility shows four slots but only two are visible, inspect around tall cards or heatsinks — some slots can be obscured. If the board model still can’t be found, posting the exact BIOS vendor/version string or readable text printed on the PCB gives enough detail to look up the manual and correct DIMM population order.

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Member Avatar for binoj_daniel

If your PC is a custom built one, then best way to verify is to open the tower and take out the RAM from the slot and get the details.
If its a Branded one. then lookup for the Model no. on their site.

Member Avatar for Shmeff

...How do I find the Model Number?

Member Avatar for 4th&3wood

If you download CPUZ and look in memory it will tell you the amount of RAM that is installed, and will show if you are in dual channel. If you go to SPD will tell you the module size, what type of RAM it is, the max bandwidth and the manufacturer. If will also show the timings and voltage.

If you can't use Crucial's scan you can always use their other method where you enter the make and model, or if it is a custom build the make of the motherboard and model and you can do the search that way. If you have a custom build and don't know what the motherboard is, CPUZ will show this in the Mainboard section.

Member Avatar for Shmeff

Thanks for the Cpuz, but i have one last question before i consider this finished. Cpuz says i have two used slots and 2 empty slots. When i looked inside yesterday, I only saw the two used slots. Assuming the two empty slots are there, would it be possible to have both my current memory (512 meg dual channel DDR) and a new set (2 gigabyte dual channel DDR) at the same time for 2.5 gigabite DDR?

Member Avatar for 4th&3wood

You will need to have even numbers of modules. You will also want to match the specs of the module/s that you have installed to run in dual channel.

Edit: What motherboard are you using?

Member Avatar for Shmeff

I was thinking of using a pair of 256 which I already have, and a pair of 1 gigabite sticks which i intend to buy. In four slots, is this feasable? According to Cpu-Z my motherboard is a Springdale-P

Member Avatar for 4th&3wood

Well, you still haven't provided the model number of the motherboard, so we are still without the needed information to find out what you need. As I said before, you will need to match the specs -exactly- of your existing RAM to successfully run in dual channel. You could add any comparable RAM, but you wouldn't be able to run in dual channel which effectively double the speed.

Member Avatar for Shmeff

Using CpuZ again, i don't know which is the motherboard model number. Is it the Chipset, Southbridge, or the LPCIO?

Member Avatar for 4th&3wood

If you click on Mainboard in cpuz the item above the chipset is model. That's what we need.

Member Avatar for Shmeff

I already said the model in the above post, Springdale-P

The box looks like this:

Model:.....Springdale-P.....(empty)

is that supposed to be empty?

Manufacturer is also empty.

Maybe this is because I bought this thing at london drugs. big mistake.

Member Avatar for 4th&3wood

That is the chipset. Let's try this from a different angle, please down load SIW, scroll down to the hardware section in the menu on the left side and click on motherboard. AT the top of the page there will be titles for the two columns, Property and Value. The first item under property should be Model, and across from that will be the model number under Values, please post that here.

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