RAM Can it Exceed 512mb?

[Sir. SashDaMan]

If my towers RAM says it can only go up to 512mb...Whats stopping me putting another 512 in? or is that just a reccomended amount to stop at because it could over heat or...?
I could take all my case off so it's just bare

[claevade]

Re: RAM Can it Exceed 512mb?

If your motherboard doesn't support more than 512 it won't hurt it, it just won't work.

[imported_bosx2]

Re: RAM Can it Exceed 512mb?

if your mainboard cant handle more than 512 MB Ram, try to check for an bios Update, I havent seen in 5 years a single Mainboard that had a lower ramsize limit than 768 MB. try some research on the web for your mainboard

[Sir. SashDaMan]

Re: RAM Can it Exceed 512mb?

So if I bought a new mother board would that be then compatible? with 1 GB depending on what motherboard I get?
But wouldn't that knock out everything that is compatible with that motherboard? or is everything made to be compatible with evrything.

[AwShoot]

Re: RAM Can it Exceed 512mb?

In general, if you plan to get a new motherboard without replacing other parts here are a few things to consider:

1. Make sure new mobo has a compatible disk controller. It's almost certain you have IDE disks based on the info you've provided, make sure mobo has ATA/IDE controller and not just SATA. SATA would not be compatible with an IDE/ATA disk.

2. Make sure the graphics slot is the same type. You most likely have an AGP graphics card, don't get a mobo with a PCI-e graphics slot.

3. Make sure the processor socket matches the processor you have. This is the trickiest one, since there have been many socket types in recent years.

4. Decide if it is worth the trouble to re-use the parts mentioned above. This would of course be dependent on just how old your components are and how much cash you can spend. It might be better in the long run to do a more complete upgrade or even buya new system.

I would recommend that you seek out a reasonably trustworthy local source for computer info. I have found small independent computer shops to be pretty good, although a friend/coworker who knows computers is even better. They can look at what you have and make reasonable recommendations depending on your goals. If you know what parts you have (model numbers for mobo/graphics, disk type, etc. then you can also get some good ideas from folks on this board. If you have any of that info post it in this thread.