Fix this old junk or just scrap it?

Dual channel only works with 2+2, 4+4, or 8+8 configurations... and you need the exact same memory sticks, or at least ones that are incredibly close matches

Bryan Taylor6 said:dual channel only works if you run 2+2, 4+4, or 8+8—and they need to be identical sticks or at least very, very similar.

Mine runs 2+1+2+1 in dual channel.
I’ve also had 4+(2+2) work before.

Different types of RAM. For dual channel, the specific type doesn't matter as much, but the timings and clock speeds have to adjust to the "weakest link" RAM. (usually happens automatically).

Plus, both setups are evenly distributed.
The first one is a Sandy Bridge build, the second is an Ivy Bridge board.

Not sure if 4+2 will hit dual channel; I think it depends on whether the sticks are single-sided or dual-sided...

Either way, if you have another 2GB lying around, just throw it in. Even in a worst-case scenario where you end up with 6GB in single channel, it's still better than having 4.

The board features two slots, utilizing an LGA 1150 socket with an H81 chipset.

I am not inquiring because I have a desperate need for an extra 2GB of RAM. My actual reasoning concerns the fact that Intel HD graphics see a significant performance boost when memory operates in dual-channel mode. It effectively doubles the bandwidth to 128-bit, whereas running in single-channel limits the memory bus to a mere 64-bit.

That is why I am asking; I might put together a budget PC to save some cash by opting for 2GB instead of 4GB, since 4GB should technically suffice for this specific configuration.

However, I want that Intel HD graphics performance to be at its absolute peak.

In theory, sure—it’s called asymmetric dual channel. But the real question is whether that motherboard actually supports it.

You won't know for certain until you try it.

Here’s the manual for the ASUS AM3 + motherboard.

It explains how that asymmetric dual channel setup actually works.

link

Jesse Jones15 said:A friend of mine is trying to revive an old relic because he really needs some RAM. Does anyone know which sticks are compatible with this motherboard? Or better yet, what would you recommend?

The board is a Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3L.

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Which GPU would be the better choice for this setup? Should I go with the Radeon HD 4650 or the Nvidia 9600? The Radeon has 1GB of DDR2 memory, whereas the Nvidia has 512MB of DDR3.

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Jesse Jones15 said:Which GPU is better for this motherboard? The Radeon HD 4650 or the Nvidia 9600? The Radeon has 1GB of DDR2, or should I go with the Nvidia at 512MB of DDR3?

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The 9600 ought to be faster. Honestly, you're better off finding something more substantial; both of those options are pretty weak. If your power supply can handle it, I actually have a Radeon 4890 with 1GB of DDR5 available for $50, complete with the full bundle.

I need to double-check my power supply. I know it’s somewhere around 500W, but is that enough for a Radeon 4890?

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Jesse Jones15 said:I need to check the power supply; I know it's some 500W unit. Is that the same as a Radeon 4890?

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I’m running a Radeon 4890 myself. How can you ask if it's the same thing as a 4890? By the way, I should probably warn you—finding drivers for those cards on Windows 10 is going to be a massive headache. It's difficult. It might be possible, but... well, good luck.

Just because the label on your power supply says 500W doesn't mean anything at all. It's likely one of those cheap, off-brand units from overseas that can't actually hit that rating.🙂

Oh, I see now. So the 4890 is also a Radeon, just lightyears ahead of the 4650.🙂 Actually, it's ten times faster, and it uses DDR5 instead of that old DDR2 memory.

We'll just have to wait and see how the drivers hold up... anyway, here's the power supply.

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You should swap out that power supply immediately. It’s only putting out 240 watts on the +12V rail, and honestly, given how old it is, it’s completely unreliable. My advice? Just toss it!

Does anyone have any advice on what I should pick up? Honestly, I'm pretty clueless when it comes to PC hardware—I'm about as lost as a tourist in downtown Chicago.

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Jesse Jones15 said:Any advice on what I should pick up? I'm pretty clueless when it comes to PC hardware, honestly about as lost as Mary is in a bad neighborhood...

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What's the absolute maximum you guys would pay...

Jesse Jones15 said:We'll just have to wait and see about those drivers... anyway, here's the power supply

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There is absolutely no way you're going to be able to run a Radeon 4890 on that power supply. No chance.

Alexander Moore67 said:What would be your absolute maximum price...

I'm not sure, maybe somewhere around $67 if there's actually anything worth finding out there?

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This shouldn't be placed below this
https://www.amazon.com/power-supply-400w-fs...m_medium=click

Jesse Jones15 said:Not sure if there's anything worth looking at around $67. Is there?

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https://www.newegg.com/corsair-psu-build-guide/version.aspx

I wouldn't bother with anything lower than this.☕

Just wanted to drop a quick note to say I've swapped in a new SSD paired with a G4400, a Procom GeForce GT 1030 low profile, and some cheap RAM. It runs just as fast—maybe even slightly faster during gaming sessions—than my previous setup with the X4 860K and an R7 360.🙂 It's honestly unreal; that GT 1030 is quite the little miracle given $183 its price point and how little power it actually draws.🙂

Man, this thing is a total beast. An Nvidia 9600 for that price? $167

Bryan Taylor6 said:Man, this thing is an absolute beast. An A8 9600... but the price tag is just ridiculous.$167

It is. But let’s be honest, an AMD APU isn't even in the same league as a GT 1030. It doesn't come close to what you actually need, which is exactly what that video demonstrates.