Hardware question about ram Memory types

Hartmann · 03-30-07, 09:02 PM

i have in my computer 512 MB in two pc266 sticks

i´ve bought a new 1 GB stick of pc400

which is better.. put all ddr sticks together working at 266 (1,5 gb) ??? or stay only with the new 1gb working at 400. ???

note ...the memory in the mobo works with the speed of the slowest memory stick.

elite_hunter_sh3 · 03-30-07, 09:26 PM

1gb will yield better results, the memory combos are 1 stick, 2 sticks or 4 sticks, 3 sticks slow it down and sometimes cause problems, and dont mix your 400mhz with the 266mhz the 1gb stick will slow down to 266 speeds thus negating the point of u buying a 1gb stick. go for 1gb

Skweetis · 03-30-07, 09:38 PM

What elite said.

Keep in mind that your motherboard must support 400. If I recall (and beer makes the memory fuzzy) 400 has a different "notch" than 266 does (The shape of the mem stick) . Not 100% on that. Ask me in the morning.

As in all cases, be sure not to force it if it doesn't fit right away!

elite_hunter_sh3 · 03-30-07, 09:45 PM

thats pc 166

sd ram,

this is ddr

Skweetis · 03-30-07, 10:26 PM

Im pretty sure that 400 is DDR2, which has a different notch placement than DDR which looks almost the same... Let me check... off to google now.

Skweetis · 03-30-07, 10:30 PM

"DDR2 DIMMs are not backwards compatible with DDR DIMMs. The notch on DDR2 DIMMs is in a different position than DDR DIMMs, and the pin density is slightly higher than DDR DIMMs. DDR2 is a 240-pin module, DDR is a 184-pin module."

"DDR2 was introduced in the second quarter of 2003 at two initial speeds: 200 MHz (referred to as PC2-3200) and 266 MHz (PC2-4200). Both perform worse than their DDR equivalents since heightened latency makes total access times twice as long in the worst case scenario. However, DDR will not officially be introduced at any speeds above 266 MHz (533 MHz effective). DDR-533, and even DDR-1200 SDRAM exists, but JEDEC has stated that they will not be standardized. These modules are mostly manufacturer optimizations of highest-yielding chips, drawing significantly more power than slower-clocked modules, and usually do not offer much, if any, higher real-world performance."

So basically at 200/266, you could have DDR or DDR2...

This is why I hate hardware

So, Hartman... double check the specs of your board. If you currently have DDR2 266 and go to 400, Rock on... other wise it wont fit. Best case, type the serial number from one of the chips on your 266 ram into a search engine, and you will probably find out if it is DDR or DDR2

Hartmann · 03-30-07, 10:43 PM

ddr works at 266, 333, and 400 ( my motherboard supports 400 max...,184 pin pc3200/pc2700/pc2100 compatible...ddr2 is not compatible)

i´m quite sure that i bought the correct memory for my motherboard, the pins are the same , i read before the manual and in the store the list is very clear.
but some times buy hardware is difficult

I am going to use only the 1gb stick and remove the old.

thanks

Skweetis · 03-30-07, 11:04 PM

Excellent! I wasn't really sure myself, so the research was a good study for me as well.

Hope it improves your gaming experiences!

03-30-07, 09:02 PM	#1
Hartmann Sea Lord Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Grid CH 26, Spain ,Barcelona Posts: 1,857 Downloads: 204 Uploads: 0	Hardware question about ram Memory types i have in my computer 512 MB in two pc266 sticks i´ve bought a new 1 GB stick of pc400 which is better.. put all ddr sticks together working at 266 (1,5 gb) ??? or stay only with the new 1gb working at 400. ??? note ...the memory in the mobo works with the speed of the slowest memory stick. __________________ But this ship can't sink!... She is made of iron, sir. I assure you, she can. and she will. It is a mathematical certainty. Strength and honor

03-30-07, 09:38 PM	#3
Skweetis Watch Officer Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Cambridge, Canada Posts: 335 Downloads: 39 Uploads: 0	What elite said. Keep in mind that your motherboard must support 400. If I recall (and beer makes the memory fuzzy) 400 has a different "notch" than 266 does (The shape of the mem stick) . Not 100% on that. Ask me in the morning. As in all cases, be sure not to force it if it doesn't fit right away! __________________ "Is the glass half-empty? Or half-full? Either way, when you're thirsty, there's water to be had in that glass." - Neal Stevens

03-30-07, 10:26 PM	#5
Skweetis Watch Officer Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Cambridge, Canada Posts: 335 Downloads: 39 Uploads: 0	Im pretty sure that 400 is DDR2, which has a different notch placement than DDR which looks almost the same... Let me check... off to google now. __________________ "Is the glass half-empty? Or half-full? Either way, when you're thirsty, there's water to be had in that glass." - Neal Stevens

03-30-07, 10:30 PM	#6
Skweetis Watch Officer Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Cambridge, Canada Posts: 335 Downloads: 39 Uploads: 0	"DDR2 DIMMs are not backwards compatible with DDR DIMMs. The notch on DDR2 DIMMs is in a different position than DDR DIMMs, and the pin density is slightly higher than DDR DIMMs. DDR2 is a 240-pin module, DDR is a 184-pin module." "DDR2 was introduced in the second quarter of 2003 at two initial speeds: 200 MHz (referred to as PC2-3200) and 266 MHz (PC2-4200). Both perform worse than their DDR equivalents since heightened latency makes total access times twice as long in the worst case scenario. However, DDR will not officially be introduced at any speeds above 266 MHz (533 MHz effective). DDR-533, and even DDR-1200 SDRAM exists, but JEDEC has stated that they will not be standardized. These modules are mostly manufacturer optimizations of highest-yielding chips, drawing significantly more power than slower-clocked modules, and usually do not offer much, if any, higher real-world performance." So basically at 200/266, you could have DDR or DDR2... This is why I hate hardware So, Hartman... double check the specs of your board. If you currently have DDR2 266 and go to 400, Rock on... other wise it wont fit. Best case, type the serial number from one of the chips on your 266 ram into a search engine, and you will probably find out if it is DDR or DDR2 __________________ "Is the glass half-empty? Or half-full? Either way, when you're thirsty, there's water to be had in that glass." - Neal Stevens

03-30-07, 10:43 PM	#7
Hartmann Sea Lord Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Grid CH 26, Spain ,Barcelona Posts: 1,857 Downloads: 204 Uploads: 0	ddr works at 266, 333, and 400 ( my motherboard supports 400 max...,184 pin pc3200/pc2700/pc2100 compatible...ddr2 is not compatible) i´m quite sure that i bought the correct memory for my motherboard, the pins are the same , i read before the manual and in the store the list is very clear. but some times buy hardware is difficult I am going to use only the 1gb stick and remove the old. thanks __________________ But this ship can't sink!... She is made of iron, sir. I assure you, she can. and she will. It is a mathematical certainty. Strength and honor Last edited by Hartmann; 03-30-07 at 11:04 PM.

03-30-07, 09:26 PM	#2
elite_hunter_sh3 The Old Man Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,376 Downloads: 6 Uploads: 0	1gb will yield better results, the memory combos are 1 stick, 2 sticks or 4 sticks, 3 sticks slow it down and sometimes cause problems, and dont mix your 400mhz with the 266mhz the 1gb stick will slow down to 266 speeds thus negating the point of u buying a 1gb stick. go for 1gb

03-30-07, 09:45 PM	#4
elite_hunter_sh3 The Old Man Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,376 Downloads: 6 Uploads: 0	thats pc 166 sd ram, this is ddr

03-30-07, 11:04 PM	#8
Skweetis Watch Officer Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Cambridge, Canada Posts: 335 Downloads: 39 Uploads: 0	Excellent! I wasn't really sure myself, so the research was a good study for me as well. Hope it improves your gaming experiences! __________________ "Is the glass half-empty? Or half-full? Either way, when you're thirsty, there's water to be had in that glass." - Neal Stevens