PC RAM upgrade question?

Looking for a little help/advice. I checked Kingstons website and found sku's for compatible RAM for my motherboard (AOpen AX4C series, w/P4 chip...yes a bit old:confused.
Currently I have 1GB RAM (two 512 mb pieces...both DDR400X64...on channels/slots 1 & 3).
My motherboard can hold up to 4GB (4 slots total).
I would like to up my RAM to at least 2GB to better handle CS3.

Given this info....
Would I be fussing up something by buying a 2GB kit (2 pcs, 1 GB each of DDR400X64) and adding those to channels/slots 2 & 4 (for a total of 3GB of RAM)?
Would the sequence matter (slot #1 512 mb, slot #2 1GB, slot#3 512 mb, slot #4 1GB)? I know this motherboard has some "dual channel" capabilities that I think compliment the hyperthread P4 chip I have but this is greek to me at this point...

or is 3GB RAM overkill? I'm not a gamer and just trying to get things in order to develop a workflow for PP'ing pics.

Hope this question is clear and I've provided enough info. Computer hardware (hell, software too) is not my strong suite....

Thanks!

2GB seems to be the consensus "sweet spot". That being said the price of RAM these days is cheap. A 2GB kit can usually be had for around $100 (maybe more for the older stuff). If the price is not much more I would do the 2GB kit in channels 1 and 3, then move your 2-512 sticks to 2 and 4 but check your mobo instructions for placement. Going over 3GB is pointless unless you use Win XP 64bit or Vista (although not sure if you can use more there either).

Thanks Mike...appreciate the input. Currently found a compatiable 2 GB kit for 150 US (maybe because it's older...vintage pricetag!). Or I can do another 2-512 mb kit for 70 bucks.
Owners manual for my AOpen board is slient on config. of the slots... Our IT guy running here at work, maybe I'll pick his brain...Thanks again.

You shouldn't mix and match RAM, I'd go for a second set of your existing sticks for a cheaper 2GB. Alternately throw out the existing RAM and get a better quality 2GB set so you can upgrade to four in the future.

Save the RAM money abouve 2gb and buy a super fast small drive for your swap file.

Buy 2gb and a small 7200/10,000 rpm drive for the swap file. Zoom.

Hey mudkips...when you say mix n match are you refering to Brand or amount of memory? I have Kingston KVR400 (non ECC) now and plan on purchasing another set of Kingston KVR400's (non ECC). I just haven't decided on whether to get 2 - 512's or 2 - 1024's...
I'm leaning toward the less expensive route...$70 for the 2 - 512's and just adding them to channels 2 & 4.
If I were to toss out my existing sticks and get 2 - 1024's would do you know if there would be a performance advantage between the Non-ECC stick and those that are ECC? I have no clue what ECC is (info. I got directly from their list of compatible memory sticks), but if I do dump my existing Non-ECC sticks would there be any advantage...in your opinion...in getting the ECC version? Thanks!

Thanks Jason. Damn...my IT guy at work said something very similar...but I gave him that look like I know what a swap file was...:o
I'll probably be purchasing an additonal ext. HD (West. Dig 500 GB Mybook 7200 rpm) in addition to the RAM memory also as my HD and one ext drive are about maxed (I shoot RAW w/ a 5D so big file sizes).
Homework: read up on swap files...
Thanks!

jgogums wrote in post #3176043
Homework: read up on swap files...

Make sure to tell us what you find out!