Brun

My lasses old boy's pc is in need of a boost as it's only running 256mb. I pulled his existing ram out for a look, but it says nowt on it. The stick has a single slot half way up it.
I've had a look on aria.co.uk and there seems to be loads of different types of RAM. I guess, i'll be able to figure out what he needs by finding out what mobo he has.
My question - for instance, what's the difference between pc3200 ddr ram and 2700 ddr ram?

Sonic'

try Memory upgrades, graphics cards, flash media, and usb storage at Crucial.com it has a configurator that will tell you what ram you have in your pc/laptop

3200 ram is quicker IIRC than 2700

_Meridian_

iTrader: (1)

But only if it's set to run quicker.


M

scoobynewbie72

iTrader: (1)

count the number of contacts on the Ram,
Roughly how old is the computer ?

hux309

what motherboard would be the easiest way of finding out

You might as well ditch the 256 when you do upgrade, memory usually comes in pairs for performance and stability reasons

Daz34

Only for running high performance dual channel set ups which isn't gonna be the case here.

rmtypeR

Try downloading this small program, it's only about 500k...

http://www.cpuid.com/download/cpu-z-140.zip

Under the SPD tab it will show you details of the RAM in each motherboard slot...

Brun

Sound - just what i need

mike1210

Nice Tool

Brun

Missed that post. I put a 512 stick in last night but removed the 256 . I shall replace it

PeteBrant

PC3200 iss 400MHz DDR
PC2700 is 333MHz DDR
PC2100 is 266MHz DDR

It entirely depends on the speed of the front side bus as to what speed the memory will run at. For example, if your front side bus is 133Mhz, you will never get any faster than 266MHz DDR, regardless of what memory you put in there.

Also, the memory speed is restricted by what you already have, for example, if you have PC2700 (333Mhz DDR) sitting in a slot, and you buy a stick of PC3200 (400MHz DDR) then the new stick will run at the lower speed.

Run CPU-z as suggested and pick the memory accordingly.

Bear in mind that if PC3200 is cheaper and you system has PC2700, then there is no reason why you cannot use PC3200 and run it at a lower speed (you wont need to change any settings, it will configure automatically)

P1Fanatic

I just doubled mine from 2x512mb PC3200 to 4x512mb PC3200. Pair of 512mb dimms was about £50 delivered I think.

Simon

Brun

It's getting clearer

Brun

....is clearer a word?