Speed of Memory for Upgrade

[Rossua]

Hi, I looking to upgrade the memory in a computer which has 2 184-pin DDR SDRAM slots. I am looking to install two 1GB RAM modules. The mobo manual states it supports up to PC2100 memory, but I am wondering if it would be OK to install something like PC3200 as the price difference doesn't seem to be much, and I could use them later in another PC that needed the faster modules. Would the PC3200 modules work OK, (albeit at the slower PC2100 speed) ? Or must I get PC2100 modules for this PC ?

Also am I right in saying that ECC type modules would NOT work in this system, as it is not specifically the ECC type - it is a standard desktop system, not a server system.

Many thanks for any advice.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Rossua Hi, I looking to upgrade the memory in a computer which has 2 184-pin DDR SDRAM slots. I am looking to install two 1GB RAM modules. The mobo manual states it supports up to PC2100 memory, but I am wondering if it would be OK to install something like PC3200 as the price difference doesn't seem to be much, and I could use them later in another PC that needed the faster modules. Would the PC3200 modules work OK, (albeit at the slower PC2100 speed) ? Or must I get PC2100 modules for this PC ?

Find out the brand and model of the motherboard and then head over to Crucial.com and use their Memory Advisor Tool to see if you can use PC3200 RAM in that computer or not.

Originally Posted by Rossua Also am I right in saying that ECC type modules would NOT work in this system, as it is not specifically the ECC type - it is a standard desktop system, not a server system.

Yes, you don't want to use ECC type RAM in a desktop computer. ECC RAM is actually slower than standard RAM and most modern desktop motherboards don't support it. It's for use in servers.

Cricket

[Rossua]

Thanks for reply cricket - unfortunately it is an unbranded computer and the Crucial Memory Advisor doesn't seem to be able to give a recommendation for it, though it reports it can take up to 2GB of memory.

[Cricket]

The motherboard doesn't have a name or model silkscreened on it somewhere?

Cricket

[KCD]

Hi Rossua,

Try:

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

then click on >Download Belarc Advisor< & follow the instructions.

belarc should give you something specific that you can google.

If no success with the motherboard then google the chip-set which should reveal the identify of the motherboard(s) that used the chip-set.

Good luck with it.

[Rossua]

That great guys - I have now found the required info from crucial.com, and have bookmarked the Belarc Advisor which also looks like a useful tool. I have a QDI PlatiniX mobo with Intel 845E chipset - which I have now found on the list - for some reason I thought they were looking for the computer manufacturer. My mobo will take up to 2GB (2 1GB sticks) of up to PC3200 memory, either ECC or non-ECC.

One thing I wasn't sure about though is the 'Max Component Density' - listed as 512Mb - is this something I should check for in the spec of the memory I buy ? Is this connected with the number of banks of memory ?

[tmathews]

Yes, you need to check that and it may be hard to find (both the density spec and the density you need). If 512Mb RAM chips are no longer in production, DIMM manufacturers may have switched to higher-density chips. Your BIOS might reject these DIMMs or at best give you a fraction of the 1GB that's present. Crucial guarantees their memory to be compatible so you may want to go with them for peace of mind.

[KCD]

Rossua,

I would hold off on buying any ram until, assuming that the plant is still in operation in China, you hear from them as to ram recommendations.

And while you're at it, ask them to define, in layman's terms, 'Max Component Density'.

Have a good one.

[Rossua]

I've just had a search on Google for some further info, and it appears that there are both low-density and high-density memory modules available. The 'density' refered to in 'max component density' seems to refer to the amount of memory per memory chip on the module, and usually it is expressed in Mbits, eg my mobo manual states it supports up to '512Mb technology' (ie. not 'MByte' or MB). So for example if a 1GB module is single sided with 8 chips on board (ie high-density) that works out as a density of 128MB per chip, or 1Gb. A low density 1GB module on the other hand, double sided, with 8 chips on board on each side, for a total of 16, has half this density ie. 512Mb, which my mobo will support. If I use a high density module the mobo will only see half of its capacity. I have also read that there are a great many high density modules available online (eg EBay), but only about 10% of systems support them, whereas all systems can support low-density modules. I think what I am saying is correct here, correct me if I am wrong. Buying from crucial seems a good bet as they specifically check the max component density as part of their memory advisor tool.