Will it work?

[rodr]

hey, i currently have 512 of ram. 2 pieces of Infineon 256 MB DDR2-SDRAM PC2-4300.
i want to buy one of 1 gig but i dont know if i may exceed the memory speed that i cna handle. I would like the OCZ Gold XTC 1024MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz, if its too much, i may get an Ultra 1024MB PC4200 DDR2 533MHz. how can i know if its compatible with my system? it may b a noob question, but oh well, can any1 help?

 

[apt403]

It should be compatible, but since your using pc-4200 as well the pc-6400 will be forced to run at the same speed, no big deal though. What kind of mobo do you have? Thats the only way to be sure.

 

[rodr]

processor: Intel Pentium D 820
chipset: Intel i945P
mainboard : intel prague, Monitoring Chip :SMSC EMC6D103

the reason i made this post is becasue i found this on PC Wizard. It was on the mainboard/chipset section : RAM max. Support : DDR2 (667 MHz)
i wasnt sure what that meant but i wasnt gonna risk it.
any ideas?

 

[rodr]

well? does any1 know what i should do? what about the voltage? is it compatible?

 

[4745454b]

It should work.

For best results, try this. Run CPUz to figure out what your settings now are. Write all the numbers down. (you should get timing numbers like 4-4-4-12, a voltage number (1.8V), and a speed number which should be DDR533/PC4200) Once you have all this, manually set these in the bios. When you buy the new stick, make sure it can run at 1.8 or 1.9V. Some of the newer faster ram can't run at a voltage setting this low. So if you buy a stick of DDR2-667/800, make sure the voltage matches the voltage your currently using. It should be ok if you buy 1.9 and your using 1.8, but I wouldn't buy anything over 2.0V.

 

[rodr]

hmm well the one i wanted to buy:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227123
looks like it needs a voltage of 2.0 V i guess its pretty much a dead end. is it..?
what would be a good 1 gig stick for me then?

 

[4745454b]

I'm not saying something like that won't work, but I'd feel better about buying something like this.

 

[rodr]

Well that one says 1.8 - 2.0 V. Will the brand change make any noticable difference? They have pretty much the same specs. Also,is PC Wizard reliable? I found this on the mainboard/chipset section : RAM max. Support : DDR2 (667 MHz) . does this mean that i cant get the 800mhz, even if its 1.8 V?

 

[4745454b]

DDR(2) ram is mostly backwards compatible. If you manually set the ram up in the bios, then the SPD settings on the DDR2-800 ram should be ignored. This means that the bios won't even ask the new ram what speeds it works at, it will assign the ram speeds you chose. All you need to make sure you buy is ram that can operate at 1.8V. (as I mentioned, the ultra fast ram that is sold now sometimes can't run on a voltage that low.)

As for ram from a different company, that shouldn't be a problem.

 

[rodr]

do u mean i would b able to run it at 800mhz if i choose to? ive been told that i cant run anythin higher than PC5400, which is 667mhz.


mainboard/chipset section : RAM max. Support : DDR2 (667 MHz)

 

[4745454b]

No, I don't mean that. I mean you can run DDR2-800 at DDR2-667. If your chipset only supports DDR2-667, then you can't run DDR2-800 ram. I think the 945/955 chipset is limited to DDR2-667 ram.

 

[rodr]

I see, well in that case i guess i will have to go with this one

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2458715&sku=C13-6066

which is PC5400 DDR2 667MHz, i should be ok with that one without any modifications right? And should i run my comp with only the 1 gig 667mhz stick, or alltogether, which would be 1.5 gigs.

 

[4745454b]

Seeing as you won't be running dual channel either way, I say run them both. They might be some cases when you might need more then a GB of memory. I don't think there will be much speed difference between 1GB and 1.5GB, so half a dozen or six of the other...

 

[rodr]

actually ive been told that i could buy a 2x512 in the Dual Mode, and would outperform a single 1 gig stick. I have 4 slots and 2 r allrdy taken, so i would b full. and actually they told me that i cant mix up the ram like that. But anyway if i get the dual 2x512, i might as well get dual 2x1 gig in the future. will i b able to mix that?

mayb i should just buy 2x1gig right now..

 

[4745454b]

Dual channel, why didn't you mention this before???

The overall best thing to do is buy 2x1GB sticks and run it in dual channel. They should be DDR2-667, though DDR2-800 should also work. (again, make sure they can work at lower voltages.) These sticks would be the only ones you want, so yank the ones you have when you get them.

How would you like to change the scenario now?

 

[rodr]

Well, i AM running dual 2x256, why wouldnt i be able to run 2x1024

Anyway, i think im gonna wait 1 month or so, for the geforce 8600's series to come out, and then ill buy everythin, inluding a PSU.

But about the RAM, i was lookin at these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820134046

they r 1.8V, and 667Mhz. i just dont wanna risk gettin some DDR2 800. Kingston should be ok right? or should i look at corsair or any other brand.

 

[rodr]

What is the difference bewteeen buying two exact 512 sticks separately, and buying two in dual channel? ive been told i can run dual, do u just need 2 slots or do u need to know somethig else?

I have 2x256 DDR-SDRAM PC-2700 (166 MHz) running on a different computer, but in this case i was wanted to get (2x512), well my brother.

Theres a really good deal with rebates, that ends on july 31. Which is one Ultra 512MB PC3200 DDR 400MHz. He was planning to get two of these separately, not dual per se. Is it the same if he buys the 2x512 on Dual mode? Cuz theres a pair of these, i dunno if the brands worth it, same specs as Ultra:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=84387&CatId=1352

Buy its $30 more, considering the two 512 MB's Ultra's which would be $60 in total.
these are his specs

ASUSTek Computer Inc.
Intel Pentium 4 2.80GHz
Intel i865PE
Infineon 2 x (256 MB DDR-SDRAM PC-2700 (166 MHz))


Are both computers compatible with Dual Mode?

 

[HERSHEY]

Rodr,
The best thing for you to do is go to a site like Kingston,Crucial,or Corsair and do a search .Just type in your Motherboard model and you will see a list of all available memory for your MB.I`m only familiar with Kingston,but for their Dual Channel memory,they use a K2 in the Part Number.as has been said,you can use 800 MHZ memory with a 667 MHZ MB.As far as voltage,the BIOS may have an ajustment for that.I`m using an Intel D975XBX MB and the Memory configured itself.I can also change the Memory voltage from 1.8,1.9,2.1,and 2.2Youmay also have that option.Just pick out a brand and go through their Memory configerator and you will see.

 

[rodr]

i see, the problem is that my computer is a Pre-built Sony vaio. The mobo i have it is not sold to general public.

General Information :
Manufacturer : Intel Corporation (Intel)
Product : PRAGUE
Version : AAD12395-206

so yeah, but ill look into the Kingston sites. Altho i found this with PC wizard... whats the Part number thing? i dont see any K2, or something like that

Manufacturer : Infineon
type: 2 x 256 MB DDR2-SDRAM PC2-4300 (266 MHz)
Part Number : 64T32000HU3.7A

 

[HERSHEY]

Rodr,
The K2 designation is a Kingston part number.The K stands for Kit and the 2 stands for a matched pair for Dual Channel.These sites should also have a configerator for a Manufactured computer too.I know Kingston does.Just look for the brand and the Model Number and they can tell you which Memory you need for it.That way there shouldn`t be any mistakes.Just be aware that the Memory for Name Brand computers is usually considerably more than Value line Memory.

 

[rodr]

I see, will this give me also voltage compatibilities? i was hoping to get somethin kind of like this for the DDR comp
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820141436
(Or 2x512 in dual mode, if its compatible)

and this for the DDR2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820141436

im also having problems lookin for my mobo and model in the kingston site, i cant find the exact same model. But do u think these should work? The DDR 1 has a volage of 2.5V, is that kinda high? and about the DDR2, im almost sure i can support 1.8v.

 

[HERSHEY]

Rodr,
DDR and DDR2 are not interchangeable.They have different pin configerations.If you listed your computer Brand and Model number,I`ll look and see if I can find it.

 

[HERSHEY]

Rodr,
list your Model number of the Sony Vaio.I will need to know this in order to look up what Memory you need.Is this a laptop?

 

[rodr]

Yeah i know u cant mix ddr with ddr2. There are two different computer and each one has different type. Im lookin to upgrade both of them, only one is mine tho. The ddr would b a 2x512 MB in dual mode, if possible and the DDR2 would be 2x1024 MB in dual mode if possible, as well.

To get info on hardware specs and things like that i use PC wizard, is that ok?
im showing that my mobo settings are the following

Manufacturer : Intel Corporation (Intel)
Product : PRAGUE
Version : AAD12395-206
Serial Number : BTPR55203382
Support MP : Yes, 1 CPU(s)
Version MPS : 1.4

intel pentium D 820
Intel i945P


and the DDR one:
Manufacturer : ASUSTek Computer Inc. Product : P4SD-VX

Intel Pentium 4 Internal Specification :Intel (R) Pentium (R) 4 CPU 2.80GHz

 

[HERSHEY]

Rodr,
I`m sorry,I didn`t realize you were talking about two computers.The DDR computer is manufactured by ASUSTek and the Model number is P4SD-VX.If that`s correct,I should be able to find it.The DDR computer is a Sony Vaio and the model is a PRAGUE.If this is correct,I should be able to find it also.If I misunderstood anything,please correct me.