DDR2 memory

Why is it so expensive ... I need to up the memory on my daughters PC. with the latest version of windows, memory is running at 90% or more and this means more disc access which is up at 10% at times.

Currently a lowly 3GB and the PC can take 8 GB (2x4GB).

Standard PC2 6400 4GB modules are around £65 to|£75 with a pair being £125+ with some places it is over £200

Any reasons why?

Harder to come by so therefore more expensive.

Simple economics - the law of supply and demand.

Having said that, depending upon the m/b, these might do the job: https://www.amazon.co.uk/8GB-DDR2-800MHz-PC6400-240-...

Unfortunately not ... It need to be the short modules such as: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Memory-Ram-4-Dell-Vostro-... and also Intel compatible

Seems to be very few places selling those any more. None on Crucial. Found one on Amazon for a 4GB DIMM but it is nearly £60. Nowhere will be manufacturing them so it will be old stock or second hand now. It was superseded by DDR3 in 2007. Even on ebay all the sellers I have clicked on are out of stock for 4GB.

EDIT : Silly question, you say it is "only 3GB" - are you sure it isn't 4GB but running 32 bit windows? If running 32 bit windows then you would have to upgrade to 64bit to be able to take advantage of the extra memory. Have you checked if the laptop would support 64 bit?

Edited by ian72 (Tue 03-Nov-20 15:23:26)

It is Win10 Pro ... and definitely on 3GB with 1x1GB & 1x2GB

Just runs so slow ...

Is it 64bit though? Assuming it is you could get a single 2GB stick to take it up to 4GB but it might not give you much advantage for long. 4GB looks like it is as populous as hens teeth. It sounds like either a switch to a more efficient OS or biting the bullet and getting a new laptop may be in order in the near future.

I do have a 2GB that will be available in a week or two when I scrap an old machine ... so that may be one way.

It will run 64bit and I have a license so no issues but without 8GB probably not worth changing.

A new PC would be cheapest! Although this one is only used for video call/conferences, webinars, conf calls and not much else. I am trying it on a Webinar at present and it is running hot with memory up at near 90% and disc access levels peak if I try it for other apps at the same time. CPU 50% a lot of which is system related - Firefox and the video link are sub20%

It is possible that a fresh install would resolve the issue - but that might be a stop too far for what you want to do. So, are you absolutely certain it is 1GB and 2GB - I assume that would have only have happened from doing a previous upgrade as the device is more likely to come preinstalled with same size DIMMs - if you are just seeing the 3GB from system manager then that is almost certainly due to 32 bit windows as 32bit windows can only see 4GB total and the graphics card is included in that - if you have 1GB graphics card then windows can only address the remaining 3GB of system memory.

Integrated Graphics - and definitely 1GB & 2GB - had a physical look this morning.

Probably is 32bit but upgrade to 64bit can be done if needed. Don't know why they are different maybe it was originally 2x1GB and a spare 2GB came available ...

Don't fancy a fresh install - too much hassle to then put the various licensed apps on even though they are rarely used, unless a 64 bit update but without extra RAM that would be pointless too.