How do I know what RAM I can use?

[Entropy_5]

Hello. First of all I know very little about computers. I need to upgrade my RAM. My computer's invoice says I have 1 stick of 256 MEG PC-2100 DDR 184 pin RAM.

There is a sale at a local retailer for PC-2700 RAM. I'd like to get 2 sticks of 512megs so my computer can last longer. How do I know if I can take out the 2100 and put in the 2700's? I'm not planning on mixing them since I only have 2 slots. Thanks

 

[Coyote]

If your computer came with a manual for the motherboard, you'll find it in there. Otherwise, find what motherboard you have and go to the manufacteror's website and see the specifications.
If you don't know what kind of motherboard you have (just open the case and look), run Belarc Advisor and it will tell you (it's a free program -search for it on google).

I think I've read somewhere that ram is backwards compatible (one of the gurus here will know for sure). That is, the pc2700 would run at pc2100 if that's all the motherboard can handle. But why bother unless it cheaper to buy pc2700 than pc2100?

Here's Belarc Advisor http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

XP 2000+
MSI KT3 ULTRA-2 KT333
Maxtor 60GB ATA 133 7200RPM
512MB PC2700
ABIT G4 Ti4200 OTES 64MB
Win98SE<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Coyote on 10/24/03 05:09 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[Crashman]

PC2700 will run at PC2100 speed just fine. In fact, using the higher rated RAM might improve your chances for later upgrades, depending on the motherboard.

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