Random Access Memory (RAM)

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HarrY_12321

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Hi guys,
I am looking to upgrade my 2GB 1x1GB DDR2 RAM to 4GB 2x2GB DDR3 but I don't know if it's compatible with my motherboard or whatever it must be.
The link I've found is extremely cheap; Let me know if i can buy it for my build, and the impact it will create on my build.

PC SPECS:
Intel Pentium E5300 - Dual Core @2.6GHz
2.0GB RAM DDR2
nVidia GT 730 2GB GDDR5 @902MHz
Motherboard - LGA 775 Motherboard (Micro-ATX I guess)

Will this RAM work inside my PC? Does all RAM Work inside every PC? Let me know please.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4GB-2x2GB-DDR3-PC3-10600U-10600-DDR3-1333-MHZ-CL9-MEMORY-PC-DESKTOP-RAM-240-PIN-/321589069863?hash=item4ae033c827:g:SigAAOxy4t1SmJBf
 
Solution
Barty1884
Simply, they don't know any better.

Some packaging lists "compatible with XXX" (usually the latest & greatest when they're released - like "compatible with Skylake") etc.
The only main differences are:
DDR vs DDR2 vs DDR3 vs DDR4,
DIMM (desktop) vs soDIMM (laptop)
non-ECC vs ECC (server).

Sometimes 'used' RAM is listed as "for XXX" (AMD, Intel etc) if it was pulled from that type of system. It's the only 'guarantee' someone who doesn't know any better has.
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genthug

genthug

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Need the exact make of your motherboard--but I'm gonna go with probably not on this one, ddr2 slots are not compatible with ddr3. You would need to have another set of DIMMs that are specifically allocated for ddr3. Which, if it's micro-atx, probably wouldn't be the case.
 
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Barty1884

Barty1884

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As genthug stated, we need to know your motherboard model to establish whether you can upgrade it.

CPU can be a RAM limiting factor, but a Pentium E5300 isn't going to do that.

The motherboard / chipset may limit what you can install.

It's been stated, but DDR2 slots & DDR3 RAM are not compatible. There was a time that some boards came with both DDR2 slots & DDR3 slots (can't use them together, but board supports both). I doubt you have one of those though.
 
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HarrY_12321

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Thanks, and the Motherboard specs;
Manufacturer - MSI
Model - 2A78h

With the crucial scanner, It found only DDR2 RAM, and this is what i came across; Hi guys,
I am looking to upgrade my 2GB 1x1GB DDR2 RAM to 4GB 2x2GB DDR3 but I don't know if it's compatible with my motherboard or whatever it must be.
The link I've found is extremely cheap; Let me know if i can buy it for my build, and the impact it will create on my build.

PC SPECS:
Intel Pentium E5300 - Dual Core @2.6GHz
2.0GB RAM DDR2
nVidia GT 730 2GB GDDR5 @902MHz
Motherboard - LGA 775 Motherboard (Micro-ATX I guess)

Will this RAM work inside my PC? Does all RAM Work inside every PC? Let me know please.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4GB-2x2GB-DDR2-800-PC2-6400-Non-ECC-Unbuffered-Memory-RAM-4-Desktop-PC-240-pin-/321472076259?hash=item4ad93a99e3:g:h6MAAOSw3d1TzYU~
 
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HarrY_12321

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Okay thanks bro, I will order it tomorrow and why do people write 'for AMD only' if it is false listing? It scared me the first time when I almost purchased RAM :p
 
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Barty1884

Barty1884

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Simply, they don't know any better.

Some packaging lists "compatible with XXX" (usually the latest & greatest when they're released - like "compatible with Skylake") etc.
The only main differences are:
DDR vs DDR2 vs DDR3 vs DDR4,
DIMM (desktop) vs soDIMM (laptop)
non-ECC vs ECC (server).

Sometimes 'used' RAM is listed as "for XXX" (AMD, Intel etc) if it was pulled from that type of system. It's the only 'guarantee' someone who doesn't know any better has.
 
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Solution
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HarrY_12321

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Yoo, i waited 3 weeks for this to come, and now it doesnt even work! It's incompatible ram i guess, after installing it, my pc does not load, only black screen and no noise or anything!!!
 
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HarrY_12321

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Well, the RAM you suggested is DIMM and the one in my pc currently is UDIMM? but that shouldnt stop it i guess,}
Also, how do i clear my CMOS? and the ram in my pc is 1.80V too.
 
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Barty1884

Barty1884

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UDIMM is "unregistered" vs RDIMM as "registered" both are DIMMs in that sense.

I don't see any reason it shouldn't POST.

To clear your CMOS, remove the little round silver battery (looks like a watch battery) from the motherboard (when it's off! of course), wait 5-10mins & put it back in. If you've made any changes in your BIOS, that'll reset them to the standard, so you'll need to go back in & reenable.
 
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HarrY_12321

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I can remove the jumper from two pins, and replace it with the spare pin.
 
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Martell1977

Martell1977

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If it still isn't working, here might be why:

See section 5 of this excellent article http://www.ocfreaks.com/ram-overclocking-guide-tutorial...

To summarize:

1) An industry standard DDR2 module must ship with an SPD chip to be compliant. (SPD = serial presence detect)

2) The SPD chip contains JEDEC information which identifies the RAM module to the PC bios .

3) The SPD chip may also include additional information to help the BIOS configure optimal memory settings.

4) Intel call this extra information XMP

5) AMD call this extra information EPP

6) If the PC bios cannot understand EPP or XMP is falls back to the JEDEC information.

7) All PC bios systems can understand JEDEC, irrespective of what other config data is on the SPD chip.

7) So, an industry standard DDR2 module could in theory contain JEDEC, XMP and EPP configuration data.

8) Which means (in theory) any DDR2 PC bios that can at least recognize the installed DDR2 module. (compatible ram timings or not)

9) It is an entirely separate issue if the RAM module timing specs are incompatible.(i.e. CL4 RAM in a "CL6 only" PC)

Example 1:

I own an Intel PC that needs CL5 ram modules. I purchase an "AMD" CL5 ram module and install it. BIOS cannot read the AMD EPP info on the SPD but can recognize the CL5 timing info in the JEDEC data table. PC BIOS auto configures for the AMD ram module and boots normally.

Example 2:

I own an AMD PC that needs CL6 ram modules. I purchase an "INTEL" CL6 ram module and install it. BIOS cannot read the INTEL XMP info on the SPD but can recognize the CL6 timing info in JEDEC data table. PC BIOS auto configures for the AMD ram module and boots normally.

Example 3:

I own an INTEL PC that needs CL6 ram modules. I purchase an "AMD" CL4 ram module and install it. INTEL BIOS cannot read the AMD EPP info on the SPD but can recognize the CL4 timing info in JEDEC data table. PC BIOS recognizes module timings as incompatible an refuses to boot.


Some RAM and motherboards were more specific on what they could use.
 
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HarrY_12321

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When i placed both of the 2x2 4GB DDR2 sticks inside the slots, the computer did not boot to bios/startup to windows. after replacing one stick with old 1gb ddr2 and 2gb ddr2 (3GB Altogether) the computer booted up, but it says only 1.00GB useable, and on BIOS it registers the RAM as 2048 so it is technically installed?
 
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Martell1977

Martell1977

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It's seeing the RAM but not able to use it. Sounds like it's not compatible and just booted with the old 1gb module, as it is/was compatible. So with the memory you bought, you went from 2gb to 1gb.

TBH, I didn't know there were actual specific AMD or Intel RAM modules, but apparently there were. Not sure they still do this today, but if you want 4gb, it looks like you will need a different set. I don't know if you can return it because the listing is very clear about checking for compatibility and not buying for non-AMD systems.


The set of DDR2 you linked would likely have worked perfectly...
 
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HarrY_12321

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Yeah I guess, but I will try to use a different operating system, as I did have problems with windows 8.1 previously on my laptop (with ram) so.. If that doesn't work, I will order one I feel comfortable with that will work
 
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Martell1977

Martell1977

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You can try a different OS, but the issue isn't there, it's the motherboard itself. It needs certain information from the RAM to use it, but the modules you bought are not built with that information. So it comes down to replacing the modules or the motherboard.
 
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HarrY_12321

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That is true also, but the ram specifications match the motherboard and my current ram so I don't see the problem besides the fact that one is "DIMM and other is UDIMM" which isn't required to be the same.

Also, it probably is because of "AMD only" specification
 
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Martell1977

Martell1977

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They were probably built to be ultra cheap modules so they made them for specific use and didn't include the necessary information for any other use. The DIMM / UDIMM thing shouldn't matter, but on the safe side, on the next set, match it all up.

I would go back to Crucial's website and look over all the information on their "guaranteed compatible upgrades" and either order from them or make sure the ones you buy match as completely as possible.
 
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