Joined: Feb 24, 2011
Posts: 99
Location: West Michigan
I have a gateway GM5632e Desktop.
Recently replaced the Power supply to a 650w
Upgraded Graphics ATI Sapphire HD5770
New hard drive
Upgraded to Windows 7.
I'm noticing a slight sluggish feeling since the "tiny overhaul". My thought now is to upgrade the RAM but not sure how big to go and what to go with. I'm on a tight budget so cost is a huge factor. But, if the wife complains that its slow then something is wrong cuz she normally couldn''t care less. It has 3MB RAM now.
Any help would be appreciated.
Joined: Nov 17, 2010
Posts: 1914
Location: PA
Joined: Dec 19, 2009
Posts: 340
what type of ram are you using....ddr2, ddr3? I have a lot of ram..I would send it to you, have a ton of ram laying around here...let me know.I have 4 4 gig sticks of ddr3, i have a few 2 gig sticks of ddr2.
Joined: Feb 24, 2011
Posts: 99
Location: West Michigan
I pretty sure I have 4 slots so should I upgrade each to a 2MB or can I just upgrade 2 slots with 4MB. Total of 8. Or should I try and go bigger?
Reference to Windows 7. Can I and should I upgrade to 64-bit with the upgrade disk I have? I noticed there is a 64-bit version in there.
Joined: Nov 17, 2010
Posts: 1914
Location: PA
Then unfortunately you are Maxed at 3Gb of RAM, the only way to add more is to go to a 64bit OS.
Just checked your Gateway specs out on Corsair.com:
Details for Gateway GM5632E
Maximum Memory » 8192 MB
Expansion Slots » 4
CPU Information » Intel Core 2 Quad
Other Details » Intel G33 Express, 1066 FSB
Memory Type: DDR2-667 (PC2-5300) - so it seems you are stuck with DDR2 too!
Max per Slot 2GB
Latency 5-5-5-15
Format 240-pin DIMM
So the only options they give you are to buy 1Gb or 2Gb Chips of the DDR2-667, you can not put faster chips in your motherboard.
Best recommendation if you can swing it, is to upgrade to Win 7 64bit and 8Gb RAM.. the good news is the 2Gb chips are only $32.00 a pop....bad news is Win 7 64bit upgrade is 109-183.00 depending on version you get.
Joined: Feb 24, 2011
Posts: 99
Location: West Michigan
There was a 64 bit upgrade disc in with the 32bit. So I just need (4) 2MB chips or can I go with just 3? Also can I go from 32bit to 64bit with no problem, I just need more RAM, right?
Joined: Nov 17, 2010
Posts: 1914
Location: PA
WOW...awesome that you have the 64bit disk!! When I did the upgrade, Windows kept all my data and programs in a folder called Windows.old, and it should be able to find 64bit drivers for most everything unless you are running any archaic peripherals. I did have to get a new 64bit anti-virus software program, spyware cleaning software, and upgrade my Roxio CD burning program to 64bit, but all my other 32bit programs worked fine with the new system. Since it builds a new registry you will have to reinstall most all your programs which is a hassle.
As far as your RAM if you have a 2Gb and a 1Gb stick to make up the 3Gb, then you only have to buy 3 more 2Gb sticks. If they are all 1Gb sticks then you will need to buy 4 new - 2Gb sticks.
Hope this has been helpful.
Joined: Feb 24, 2011
Posts: 99
Location: West Michigan
Thanks so much KULA, you have been super helpul! See you on COD.....after this upgrade of course.
Joined: Feb 24, 2011
Posts: 99
Location: West Michigan
OK I got the memory on order and I went to install Windows 7 64-bit but the drive won't recognize the disc. Is this because I already have 7 32-bit installed? Do I need to delete the partition with 7 on it reinstall Vista and then upgrade to 7 64-bit?
Joined: Nov 17, 2010
Posts: 1914
Location: PA
HMMM... it should have asked if you wanted to upgrade when you popped in the CD, and then walk you through from there. If you delete the 32bit Win 7 Partition, then you will lose EVERYTHING on the drive...aka FRESH INSTALL. If you are ok with that, and have all your data backed up, and CDs for Program reinstalls, then you can boot from the 64bit CD, and follow the instructions to do a fresh install, but as I stated you will lose everything on the drive. (make sure if you have COD4, WaW and other games to back up you player profiles or you will lose them with the fresh install)
Please keep me posted. I will see if I can find out anything on going from Win 7 32 bit to Win 7 64 bit. (I went from Vista 32bit to Win 7 64bit.)
Joined: Feb 24, 2011
Posts: 99
Location: West Michigan
I lost COD4 & WaW profiles along time ago... didn't have backed up and then crash.
I am fine with a clean install just have to spend the time reloading programs and stuff. I went to boot from the Windows 7 64-bit and it wouldnt read it. But It would read the 32-bit fine. So my next thought was to start from scratch and reinstall Vista 32 and then upgrade to Windows 7 64-bit. I can delete the partitions in dos, right? The reason I ask is because I tried booting from the Vista cd and it gets stuck on the "please wait" (the screen after I click install.
Sorry for rambling on!
Joined: Feb 24, 2011
Posts: 99
Location: West Michigan
I'm reading alot of conflicting info and instructions on this topic. Should I just delete the partition in the command prompt using the Vista install disc and then install Vista and finnaly upgrade to 7 64-bit?
Joined: Feb 24, 2011
Posts: 99
Location: West Michigan
