RAM and Compatability...

R

Resonance456

Geek Trainee
I know this is a stupid question and I already know the answer to this, but I just need to verify/clarify/rectify this issue.

I want to buy a another 1GB RAM for my comp, replacing it with one of the current 512MB's therefore leaving me with 1.5GB (just for now till I but another Gig). Anyways, does the new RAM module (1GB) have to be exactly the same as the other RAM module (512MB)? For example, If the RAM I have now PC3200 @ 333Mhz, does the new ram have to be PC3200 @ 333Mhz or can it be a PC4200 or what have u with a higher Mhz??
 
personally i would go into the BIOS and check what speed of RAM will take, then just get the max speed RAM your mobo will take, all of the memory installed will then automatically run at the speed of the slowest RAM module installed, plus if you get faster memory now, you'll be able to take advantage of the faster RAM when you upgrade to 2Gig
 
donkey42 said:
personally i would go into the BIOS and check what speed of RAM will take, then just get the max speed RAM your mobo will take
Click to expand...
This is the best thing to do really.

Faster RAM can run at slower speeds so yeah you could buy PC4200 and run it at PC2700 speeds fine.

PC4200 is a non standard speed for normal DDR and you will only make use of the extra speed if you overclock your system where your RAM is at, or around, 533mhz.
 
Ok kl - seems reasonable enough. So basically, get a higher ram than my current, and it will run fine? and wen i upgrade to 2 gigs, they'll work together?
 
If you have ddr333 now; yeah, you can run both the pc2700 and pc4200 at 333mhz. Then when you have the second stick of pc4200 you can loose the pc2700 and run at whatever your motherboard can handle.

Like Donkey said though before, see what RAM your motherboard supports first. You never know it might only support speeds up to 333mhz. The pc4200 will run at 333mhz but its a waste when it can go up to ddr533.

The fastest clock speed it will support wont be higher than 400mhz (pc3200) after that its overclocking your motherboard and probably cpu and all the rest.

What board or computer do you have?
 
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