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High or Low Density PC2700

Forum Motherboards & Memory : Memory - High or Low Density PC2700

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direwolf1972   07-06-2009 at 03:47:30 AM

I'm thinking about upgrading to a 1gb stick of PC2700 RAM.

I read the FAQ and didnt see the answer so here is my question.

What is the difference between high density and low density RAM?

I'm on a budget for upgrades. I looked at memory and noticed some is high density (128x4) and some are low density (64x8).

How much difference will the low density make?

I am assuming that low density is better since it seems to be a little higher priced.

Thanks,
Paul

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Bronze Motherboards badge GhislainG   07-06-2009 at 04:57:31 AM
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It makes no performance difference, but make sure high density modules (8 chips) are compatible with your motherboard before buying them. Unless you have a very old motherboard, it should be compatible with high density modules. High density modules are less expensive to assemble because they require half as many chips.

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BlueScreenDeath   07-06-2009 at 06:47:47 AM
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Get whatever is cheaper. DDR1 RAM is old so spending a lot of money on it isn't worth it.

------------------------------ i7 920, E5300
GTX260, HD4870, HD4830
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Bronze Motherboards badge GhislainG   07-06-2009 at 02:23:02 PM
- 0 +

Even if they're really cheap, buying incompatible modules isn't worth it either. Few motherboards can't accept high density 1 GB modules, but the OP didn't provide that info.

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direwolf1972   07-13-2009 at 08:57:47 PM
- 0 +

Its a MSI Ultra II-C motherboard running a VIA KT333 chipset.

I'm also trying to figure out how much difference CL 2.5 to CL 3.0 makes. The cheap sellers on eBay all seem to be selling CL 3.0 PC2700 DDR.

I've never had a stick of RAM bigger than a 512mb (and its blown, currently running a 256 stick) but they were always CL 2.0 and CL 2.5's. I've never tried 3.0 and not sure how big of a performance hit I'll take if I settle for the cheap one that is easiest for me to afford.

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Bronze Motherboards badge GhislainG   07-13-2009 at 10:43:13 PM
- 1 +

CL 2 usually applies to PC2100 modules, but you are looking for PC2700 modules.

I presume your motherboard is a KT3 Ultra2-C (MS-6593). Compatible 1 GB modules (maximum 3 modules):

Crucial 1 Go DDR-SDRAM PC3200 CL3 - CT12864Z40B
Crucial 1 GB DDR-SDRAM PC2700 CL2.5 - CT12864Z335
Kingston ValueRAM 1 GB DDR-SDRAM PC2700 CL2.5 - KVR333X64C25/1G

Crucial don't provide clear specifications, but they should be low density like the Kingston module. It's up to you, but I'd buy modules that are guaranteed to work with that motherboard (or at least are low density, i.e., 16 chips).

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