PC 2700/ PC 3200

What is the effect of using PC 3200 RAM in a board that only supports PC 2700?

I did just that, as I had extra sticks, install in a Dell 4600C (worst computer ever) for a friend. I installed 1 gig in two slots, supported but running at 333

It posted fine, the BIOS showed the RAM running at 333/PC 2700 and all was well..big improvement over the DELL install 256 MB of RAM, no suprise. Running below its stated speed, but no big deal..stable and running fine for hours........

Then, the problems start, next step is to install a wifi router, all is well, normal issues, ethernet port is not running, install drivers, restart computer, 5-6 times in the process of router install

Then, F1, HDD failure............total failure, shot, does not work.....I did not notice any real issues, heat, noise, etc, but I have a dead drive..

Is this just bad timing, or could the over powered RAM contribute to this failure? Is there any difference between 1 gig of 2700 running at 333 and 1 gig of 3200 running at 333?

All is well now, new drive, new router, OLD RAM..is it safe to reinstall the PC 3200, or is this pushing my luck?

Thank you

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PC3200 (aka DDR400) is the max speed rating on the memory modules, so they will run at anything from x to 400mhz (200x2/DDR) max, when your board manual or whatever says PC2700 max it means it can run at that at max, so the ram sticks will underclock and run more then perfect.

Quote :

What is the effect of using PC 3200 RAM in a board that only supports PC 2700?

I did just that, as I had extra sticks, install in a Dell 4600C (worst computer ever) for a friend. I installed 1 gig in two slots, supported but running at 333

It posted fine, the BIOS showed the RAM running at 333/PC 2700 and all was well..big improvement over the DELL install 256 MB of RAM, no suprise. Running below its stated speed, but no big deal..stable and running fine for hours........

Then, the problems start, next step is to install a wifi router, all is well, normal issues, ethernet port is not running, install drivers, restart computer, 5-6 times in the process of router install

Then, F1, HDD failure............total failure, shot, does not work.....I did not notice any real issues, heat, noise, etc, but I have a dead drive..

Is this just bad timing, or could the over powered RAM contribute to this failure? Is there any difference between 1 gig of 2700 running at 333 and 1 gig of 3200 running at 333?

All is well now, new drive, new router, OLD RAM..is it safe to reinstall the PC 3200, or is this pushing my luck?

Thank you

Reply to apache_lives

yeah, the underclocked ram installation and hdd failure is just pure concidence... like apache said, the memory can clock down just fine with no repercussions, (certainly not like you had just experienced)

Reply to choirbass

Actually the computer detected that you werent running Dell approved and Dell bought ram and that you were actually trying to speed up a Dell computer and it fried the drive on purpose. Dells arent meant to be upgraded with 3rd party hardware. They are really picky on this.

Actually its just like choirbass said, coincidence and the faster memory will slow down and run just fine.
Now it is possible in the process of install the ram that you spiked the hard drive with a static shock and messed it up. Be sure to ground yourself on the case before touching anything in the computer.

Reply to sturm

Quote :

yeah, the underclocked ram installation and hdd failure is just pure concidence... like apache said, the memory can clock down just fine with no repercussions, (certainly not like you had just experienced)

actually chances are the ram had some crap atack with the bios or dell config and damaged the hdd data like bad overclocking? or you bumped the hdd cables or somethin to cause it maybe?

Taking a guess.

Reply to apache_lives

Quote :

yeah, the underclocked ram installation and hdd failure is just pure concidence... like apache said, the memory can clock down just fine with no repercussions, (certainly not like you had just experienced)

actually chances are the ram had some crap atack with the bios or dell config and damaged the hdd data like bad overclocking? or you bumped the hdd cables or somethin to cause it maybe?

Taking a guess.

yeah, it could very well be the memory in question did cause a problem like that, especially if its faulty... havent seen that happen before, but that couldve been what happened

Reply to choirbass

ehhhh, have them replace the hard drive. that's the main thing. who cares more past that? lol. i hope the computer is still under warranty. but i know dell's do act stupid like that. i had a laptop where the motherboard died just cause i upgraded to the dell bios. now useless and dead and requires a new motherboard which is so costly for a laptop. (i read multiple articles too, there's a lawsuit on that issue) i don't like their practices... no wonder people hate them... including me now.

Reply to habitat87

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