Performance hit

[shadowbreaker513]

I went to the computer show earlier today, and got some new RAM for the Dell my parents use. It was on 256 so I convinced them to go to 512. I bought what I thought were two 128mb sticks of PC2700 RAM. When I went to install it just now, I noticed one of the new sticks was actually PC2100. (Don't blame the guy, 1 and 7 look the same in low light). I installed the sticks anyway, (btw, the CAS latencies on all the sticks are identical) so now the computer has 512mb of RAM running in dual channel at PC2100 speeds. It seems much more speedy in response than before. I was just wondering if there was going to be a huge performance hit. The processor is a P4 2.4Ghz Northwood with 533Mhz fsb.

[Panama Red]

You should be fine. While most folks will try to use PC2700 memory with a 533 fsb processor, you really only need PC2100 to run 1:1. Actually, you probably got a bit of a deal too. PC2100 has been more expensive of late than PC2700.

[shadowbreaker513]

Well the guy was selling 128mb sticks of PC2100, PC2700, and PC3200 for $16 a piece, so the new 256 was $32 total. I almost bought a 256 stick of Corsair XMS PC2700 for $35, but then I realized I had no use for it. I'm a sucker for a deal.

[Panama Red]

Sounds like you did good.

[glc]

You are lucky that the generic ram works okay in a Dell. We won't do that, we always buy specific ram from a configurator, usually Crucial.

[shadowbreaker513]

I specifically asked the guy if the RAM would work in a Dell before I bought it. The brand is Micron Tech and the new and old sticks are matched in terms of latencies and all. The old sticks were Mosel RAM