What's the difference between RAM and GB?
RAM is your random access memory. Your RAM determines how fast your games, etc. will load and run. If you have limited RAM, your computer may be sluggish. This site explains how RAM works and how to add RAM to your system: http://www.howstuffworks.com/ram.htm - - - GB are Gigabytes. Music files, game files, documents, photos, videos all take up bytes - usually MB, which add up to GB. To free up available disk memory, you can delete the unused files from these above categories. All these files use up memory. - - - Megabytes and Gigabytes explained: When referring to a megabyte for disk storage, the hard drive manufacturers use the standard that a megabyte is 1,000,000 bytes. This means that when you buy an 80 Gigabyte Hard drive you will get a total of 80,000,000,000 bytes of available storage. This is where it gets confusing because Windows uses the 1,048,576 byte rule so when you look at the Windows drive properties an 80 Gigabyte drive will report a capacity of 74.56 Gigabytes. http://www.whatsabyte.com/
Can a 2GB and 4GB DDR-3 RAM be installed in the same computer/laptop? Will it work?
Yes it will. Hoping it is of the same manufacturer and same speed with timings(if they differ in speed, the mobo should auto set the speeds and volts accordingly else set it manually). As far as mixing size is concerned, the memory will work in what is called a "Flex Mode" - 2GB out of the 4GB and the present 2GB module which will run in Dual channel mode, while the remainder of the 4GB module (which is the other half of 4GB) will run in single channel mode. My laptop uses 2+4 setup. Same ram kits are always preferred.
Can I mix different brands of RAM if they both have the same speed and voltage?
In theory, if all specifications are the same, mixing brands of RAM should work fine.In practice, many times it does, but many times it does not.I have personally experienced where different brands with supposedly identical specifications do not work reliably together. The system will appear to boot and run, but then randomly experiences memory related errors.Testing individual RAM sticks reveals them each to work properly alone, but when brands are mixed, errors are seen.So you're certainly welcome to try it, and it may work, but don't be surprised if it doesn't.
Is it okay to have an odd amount of memory RAM on your computer? Like say, 3 gbs of RAM on Windows 7 32bit?
3GB of RAM is okay. It won't run in dual channel mode though. It's best to install RAM in matching pairs. It's not necessary, but that's when you'll get the best performance. If the RAM you wish to install is faster than your current RAM, it will downclock. So if you had one stick of 1333MHz RAM and one stick of 1600MHz RAM, the 1600MHz stick would downclock to 1333MHz. RAM runs as fast as the slowest stick. EDIT: @ Antonio Garcia: 32-bit operating systems can't use anything more than 4GB of RAM. That being said, most of the time Windows will only recognize and use anywhere from 3.2GB - 3.8GB. 2^32 = 4,294,967,296 or 4GB. It's a physical limitation. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/32_bit 64-bit, on the other hand can support up to 256TB. x86-64 systems can do 2^48 (since the address bus is 48-bits) which is equal to 2.81474977 × 10^14... or 256TB. No motherboard on the planet can accommodate such an insane amount of RAM. So, by logic... 64-bit operating systems can use as much RAM as your motherboard can support.
Can I install 2 single channel RAMs with the same specifications to obtain dual channels? I am confused due to RAMs marketed as single channel for 1 stick and dual channel for a twin pack RAM.
Instead of following the marketing and technical info from the manufacturers of memory, you should look up the specifications of your motherboard in the manual or online. That will tell you what type of memory the motherboard can take and how much (limit in gigabytes) and how many (Slots on the motherboard that accept the memory) you can use.In concert with this, you need to see what type of memory you currently have and how many “sticks”. Gone are the days of parity problems in memory, but keeping all the sticks the same is just good practice.It can get more technical than this though. If you are unsure about what to get, you might bite the bullet and show the info to someone more experienced in the matter.
Do I need to use 2 identical (same brand, same model) sticks of DDR4 RAM together, or is having the same size and frequency (8GB, 2133MHz) enough?
As many have mentioned for best speed compatibility yes same model + brand.As others have mentioned You can’t put DDR3 in DDR4 (different slots).As others mentioned you can if you want mix and match for an Ideal mix and match: Same Speed, Size and Latencies (basically same RAM different brand).You can Mix different sizes not recommended. It’s also not recommended to mix chips on both sides with chips on 1 side.It is recommended to have same Speed same Latency, and should have the Same Voltage, Even with my ultra expensive EVGA X99 motherboard it’s recommended to have same voltage on the RAM.So if you want to guarantee them working - runIdentify RAM type, speed & memory timings or CPU-Z | Softwares | CPUID click on memory tab. This will help you know the current Speed, Voltage, Latencies, then just buy ram that is the same.Fun info about latency: Memory - RAM Performance: Speed vs. CAS latency | Crucial.comIf you're getting RAM after it’s setup I recommend an overnight run of Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool or at least let it do 2 different memory passes.Also 100% of Quality RAM comes with a Lifetime Warranty, so if it does go bad you can just RMA it and get a new one (which is why I always recommend buying memory in pairs!)
Why do macbooks have so little GBs of memory but cost more than other notebooks?
i'm going to buy a new laptop and i was doing a little bit of research because i'm stuck between a Sony Vaio or a Macbook. One of the things i've noticed is that while a Sony Vaio FZ series has 3GB of Memory and 250GB of hard drive, and the Macbook only has 2GB of Memory and 160GB of hard drive, the Sony Vaio still costs less then a Macbook. Why is that? is there something i'm missing?
How Many 512MB Memory Modules Equal 2 Gigabytes?
4 512MB = 2 GB 1GB = 1024MB