It's 1.8V, it's faster (PC1200), but it's still (2) 2GB sticks, so that will be faster memory, but the same amount, as the EX490/EX495 only has a single DIMM slot. You need (1) 4GB stick...

Mitch

wow, i'm an idiot, didn't see that it was two sticks, sorry about that.

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HP EX495

This is the one that worked for me:

Newegg Id: N82E16820134863

Kingston 4GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model KVR800D2N6/4G - Retail

~ $150

I can't see any good reason at this point to upgrade the amount of RAM, but am wondering about the speed. I have the stock 2GB installed, but just upgraded the CPU to an E8200. Will faster memory help anything? If so, how fast can I go?

Mike
(aka Speed Racer)

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Follow Me On Twitter: ThatGeekGuy
Tech News, Great Buys, Reviews & More....

Hello all ... I just completed 2 upgrades this morning on my EX495. (wish I had found these forums BEFORE purchasing, because I certainly would have purchased a EX490).

I upgraded the CPU to a E8500, and the RAM to 4GB.

Now, before I start getting flamed for my comments, I am WELL AWARE that the CPU upgrade has LOTS to do with why I will be giving POSITIVE feedback!

But I wanted to comment on my experience ... Prior to the upgrade, my RAM was always running about 76% used, and my CPU would crunch at 56% a majority of the time. I am certain this has much to do with the fact that I do have Twonky running, and the HP Media Collector. I have a pretty extensive MP3 collection, and a large photo gallery.

What I can tell you is the system is NIGHT AND DAY different from the stock install. Prior to the upgrade, the system seemed to lag quite a bit. The service console was sluggish. After the upgrade, EVERYTHING is snappy! The response time when using the HP MediaSmart software on my iPhone is actually usable now! Prior to the upgrade, it was almost useless!

CPU utilization is almost 0 on both cores unless I start pounding something, and even then, it really doesn't bother it! The RAM on my system now shows 22% utilization with the 4GB stick in there.

The parts I installed are the following:

1 x Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
1 x Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 4GB 1.8v 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM 800 PC2-6400 (5-5-5-18)

I chose the Mushkin memory because while it was still PC2-6400 memory like the stock 2GB stick, this has timings of (5-5-5-18) where as the stock memory was a CL6. The only options I could find for PC2-8500 memory would have raised the CL to 7, which almost seems to me like robbing peter to pay paul.

Right now my idle temp is 33C, after burning about 2 hours on Prime95, it got up to 73C, which I know it getting to the limits of what you really want to see, but it is definitely workable ...

Great post! Thanks!

Got part numbers for the two ram chips you discussed so i can compare them myself on Newegg?

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HP EX495

(SORRY I COULDN'T POST LINKS, BUT I'M A NOOB, SO THE SYSTEM WON'T LET ME.)


MUSHKIN ENHANCED SILVERLINE 4GB (This is the memory I used in this post)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... -_-Product



KINGSTON VALUERAM 4GB DDR3 SDRAM ECC REGISITERED DDR2 1066 (PC2-8500)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... -_-Product

I ordered this 4GB G Skill DDR2 800 memory with 5-5-5-15 timings for $115 from Newegg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820231300

I still don't know why it is $5 less than the G Skill DDR2 800 with 6-6-6-18 timings.

I'll hopefully have time to put the memory and the E6300 CPU in next week.

My EX490 just arrived yesterday but I didn't have chance to turn it on yet.

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3TB MSS EX490(upgraded CPU-E6300(2.8Ghz dual core Pentium)),
4GB memory
57TB unRAID1a--49TB unRAID2--76TB unRAID3

The thing that made me "skeptical" about this memory is that is has a quoted spec of 1.8v-1.9v

The issue with these EX49x of course being that it only runs 1.8v. There is no way to make it go higher. If that memory needs 1.9v to be stable, it will be a stinker.

Only this G.SKILL 4GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL6S-4GBMQ is rated at 1.8 volts and will work in the MSS I believe. And it is SLOWER than the stock ram. I've yet to see my EX490 use all of my 2 GB of ram. Until it starts to run out of memory,and gives me error messages that the virtual pool is to small, I believe an increase of RAM is pointless.

That's why I went with the Mushkin Silverline 4GB. That was 5-5-5-15 and actually faster than the stock. Yes, it's still PC2-6400 which is similar to the stock memory.

I think people who are memory hogs (like myself) are people who have massive MUSIC/PICTURE/VIDEO shares and have Media Collector and Twonkey running. Those are actually memory hogs. Like I said, my memory was at 75% usage on 2GB when idle. If I were to start transcoding something, it would cripple the unit.

This memory module is also listed as 1.8 to 1.9 volts on the G Skill website. Newegg lists the wrong info.

I guess I'll find out soon enough if it causes any problems. If it does I'll have to return it and get the Mushkin.
But all the G. Skill PC2 6400 memory is listed at 1.8 ~ 1.9 volts.

http://www.gskill.com/products.php?c1=1&c2=2&c3=4

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3TB MSS EX490(upgraded CPU-E6300(2.8Ghz dual core Pentium)),
4GB memory
57TB unRAID1a--49TB unRAID2--76TB unRAID3

So would you be willing to post the memory (tab) and SPD (tab) screens from CPU-Z?

Thanks

Keep us posted .... I'll be interested to know ... Otherwise, the Mushkin memory would appear to be the fastest most compatible option in a 4GB stick.

OK. I just finished the E6300 and 4GB memory upgrade in my EX490.

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3TB MSS EX490(upgraded CPU-E6300(2.8Ghz dual core Pentium)),
4GB memory
57TB unRAID1a--49TB unRAID2--76TB unRAID3