Salvaging RAM and bonus questions!

[Capn Stabby]

Hello,
I was wondering if it was possible to salvage RAM.
Yes, I am indeed that cheap.
Right now I have a HP Media Center PC 1230n.
I upgraded the video card so hopefully it'll last me for a few months until I really get into PC gaming again and I plan to get another hard drive.
Problem is, the Athlon 3700 is getting a bit old, I believe it hovers around 2.2ghz. I was thinking of getting a new computer instead and giving this one to one of my family members, but I'm still not certain.
But I do intend on upgrading the ram.
I'm really kinda n00b on memory modules, so here's my information:
4 max gigs of ram
4 slots
factory installed: 2 x 512mb

This means I can put a maximum of 1 gig per slot, right?
So I was thinking of filling the last 2 with either 1 gig sticks or 2 more
512mb ones.
Any problems with my logic?

Oh yeah, so if I do buy a new computer, I was wondering if I can salvage any of those RAM sticks and stuff them into the new computer.

Thanks for reading this probably incomprehensible post.
Vince

[shrike4242]

According to multiple places on the Internet, that system takes PC3200 DDR memory. Memory will need to be added in pairs, and the system will handle a max of 4GB of RAM.

You could add 2 x 512MB of RAM, and go to 2GB or 2 x 1GB of RAM and go to 3GB. I don't think you'd see much difference between 2GB or 3GB of RAM, so you'll probably want to save a few bucks and drop 2 x 512MB into it.

The memory can be used in another PC, as long as it'll take DDR400 (PC3200) DDR memory. The current generation Intel desktops have moved to DDR2 memory for the most part and AMD is on its way this year to make the same move to DDR2. Yes, it can work in another PC, though getting a new PC that can use that memory might be harder in about 6-8 months, if not sooner.

[Capn Stabby]

Oh, thanks a lot for the information.
Good thing memory prices are always dropping. I'll go for the 2x512.
Thanks again.