Question : Problem: RAM question

I had 2 sticks of RAM inside the PC.  Dell" OptiPlex" 320

256MB RAM DIMM =
emory Module
Manufacturer : Quimoda
Model : 64T32000HU37B
Extended Information : B2
Serial Number : 0116AE20
Type : 256MB DIMM DDR2
Technology : 4x(32Mx16)
Speed : PC2-4300U DDR2-534
Standard Timings : 4.0-4-4-12 3-16-4-2
Version : 1.02
Date of Manufacture : Monday, January 08, 2007
Memory DC Line : 1.80V

512MB RAM DIMM =

Kingston KVR533D2N4/512 ValueRam 512MB 533MHz DDR2 NonECC CL4 DIMM Memory


I came across a 1GB stick of RAM which I wanted to use for an upgrade.  The 1 Gig of RAM is
Crucial  wIPVTReeVHH E40D46B8 010843 DIMM Synchronous DDR 1GB/64 @ 533MHz (its ddr2 according to cpu-z). I wish to install 1 gig alongside of 512 and take out 256 as there is only 2 slots.

The Bios shows both modules as installed, however the total amount of RAM shows as 1.0 GB. So does Windows, and so does Tinyresmeter (http://perso.accelance.net/~pesoft/trm/us_trm.html)
CPU-Z However reports 1.5 gig. Sisfot Sandra detects both modules and gives info on them, yet reports total ram as 1 gig. Both modules are non ECC.

Whats your advice? Take out the 512mb? Return to original config? Any way to have windows detect both modules?

The Dell manual http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/op320/en/UG_en/index.htm
warns of decrease perfomance  with 2 unmatching sticks. Yet it doesnt imply directly or indirectly that such config will not work.  I did have 512 stick and 256 running with no issues.

Whats your advice?

Answer : Problem: RAM question

That is a common issue of some motherboards where memory addressing will not work fine if the RAM in each DIM is different from the other one.