Author Topic: Ram (Read 392 times)

99taylor · « **on:** April 17, 2005, 01:13:36 PM »

I have a p4vxad motherboard with 256 RAM DDR 200/266 PC2100 I think, anyway to find out without opening my computer?
Also can I upgrade to faster Ram say 2700
256 with what i have or do i have to throw away my pc 2100 and get 512 of the PC2700? My manual says I can support three 184 pin 2.5V DDR DIMM sockets total capacity of 3 GB registered, 1.5GB unbuffered? No idea what that means. Help I need more memory!!!!

FOGOLD · « **Reply #1 on:** April 17, 2005, 01:46:23 PM »

Your best bet is another 256 of pc2100. Chances are your Front Side Bus (The speed your ram runs at) is only running at 2100 so, although PC 2700 will run ok and won't cost much more, there will be no benefit.

IF you want to overclock it might be worth getting PC2700 as it will tolerate overclocking a 266 FSB better.

Bottom line. If you just need more ram as cheap as possible, get a stick of 256mb of PC 2100, preferably the same brand.

If you have a bit more money to burn throw all the existing ram away(or sell it) and get a 512 Mb stick of pc2700.

512 Mb is still ok for most things, but 1 gigabite is more normal these days. However, don't spend that much if you plan to upgrade your whole pc anytime soon, because PC 2100 or 2700 will be no good on a new machine.

To summarise, I personally would buy a 256 stick of PC2100

Good luck;)

99taylor · « **Reply #2 on:** April 17, 2005, 01:50:24 PM »

My manual says it can run at 400 front bus speed so the RAM I have now is slowing my computer down? I will start from scratch with all new RAM, but not sure what that means 2700 3200 I can't find out my board supports.

FOGOLD · « **Reply #3 on:** April 17, 2005, 02:02:11 PM »

Your ram is not slowing your computer down unless your processor is running at faster than 266 DDR.

Tell us what your current processor is and we can help.

99taylor · « **Reply #4 on:** April 17, 2005, 02:05:14 PM »

P4 1.5
P.S. thanks for your help

FOGOLD · « **Reply #5 on:** April 17, 2005, 04:14:24 PM »

Can anyone else h2lp here? The mobo can run 400 FSB. Is that 400 DDR?

I get confused with intel quad pumped 200 mhz boards etc. If it can support quad x 200 mhz you can put a much faster processor in there with 3200 ram and have a massive upgrade, but I can't imagine your PC shipped with that processor in such a board.

Have to confess I'm getting slightly out of my depth here:rolleyes:

99taylor · « **Reply #6 on:** April 17, 2005, 04:36:55 PM »

thanks but from what i can tell 2100 is all my board can use.

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 17, 2005, 07:01:23 PM »

PC 3200 runs at the 400mhz FSB speed. PC 2700 is 333mhz, and PC 2100 is 266mhz. Thats all doubled of course (DDR means Double Data Rate). You will see these listed under the single rate speeds also of 133, 166, and 200. The newer motherboards use DDR2 RAM, and DDR3 is coming out now that runs at much higher speeds.

All RAM from PC2100 to PC3200 is compatible, it will just run at the speed of the slowest stick. If you have a stick of PC 2100 and a stick of PC 3200, both will run at the PC 2100 speed. That might seem like you are wasting money but you ARE adding more RAM to the system, you can swap out the second stick later if you want and make them both PC 3200. You still wont really notice much difference though until your CPU is running at the same FSB speed. A 1.5Ghz processor could either be running at 266 or 333 speeds. You will have to check your documentaiton, or run a diagnostic utility that measures the processor speed and FSB speed. I'm guessing since you have PC 2100 RAM, your CPU is running a FSB speed of 266 also. I'm also going to guess that your MOBO doesnt support overclocking. So the only way to speed up the computer is to upgrade the memory AND the CPU. If that isnt an option right now, just buy a cheap stick of PC 2100 and increase your RAM to 512MB to get you through until you can afford to upgrade everything.

Good luck.