How can you expend your RAM?

Question

In ATX form factor, with standard ATX motherboard, is it possible to expand memory with a PCI memory interface card?

PCI memory interface card will plug into the motherboard, and the memory modules plug into the PCI memory interface card. (I think this can be done in NLX, but I am not sure in ATX).

If this can be done in ATX form factor, please give me a link where I can buy such PCI memory interface card or something alternatively similar. Thanks

(The OS is Win2K and Win XP Pro.)

Answer 1

No, I don't believe this is possible. RAM expansion cards don't exist, and if they did, they wouldn't be worth it on the PCI bus.

However, I believe there is a PCI card that accepts RAM, but uses it as a very fast solid state hard disk, which you can set up as virtual memory. This could increase your speed.

Answer 2

A PCI memory extension wouldn't be the approach, especially for Win2K or XP Pro (especially if you are working with the 32 bit version). The 32 bit desktop versions will only address 4 GB of memory and most motherboards are designed to support close to that unless they are a low end motherboard that may only go up to 2 GB. As the other posted said, you could increase your virtual memory using a solid state hard disk in the case of a motherboard limit, but you would quickly find that the solid state disk is probably more expensive than buying a new motherboard and components.

Answer 3

Nearly all atx motherboards have four slots for memory upgrades. If that isn't enough there are motherboards which will allow more but you are getting into big bucks. Adding a PCI card for memory is something I have never ran across. The goal is to have fewer memory addresses with greater capacity. So bigger faster memory chips are the answer and they are available on the higher end boards.

Answer 4

there are all sorts of pills you can these days , some say that you can expand up to 4 inches !!! interface that and you will be pulling chicks left right and centre