RAM

[Mattbot2]

ok my dell 3100 can run 533mhz DDR2 unbuffered non-ecc RAM. Do i have to buy a 533mhz (pc4200) module of ram or can i get higher?

[mac124]

You can fit higher but it will only run as fast as the slowest memory fitted.

Be warned though Dell pcs can be funny over what memory they use, in the past friends of mine have had to buy dell specific memory as the pc doesn't recognise anything but dell memory. Don't know if this is still the case.

[Mattbot2]

ok well currently has 2 x 512mb of ram in, i might be getting 2 x 1gb of ram. so if i do that... it will run at 2gb yes?

[Doctor 8Ball]

It should do, as long as you purchase the same spec or higher it ought to be fine.

Purchasing higher specs/speeds and installing them will make them run at the speed the system demands, ie 533mhz even though they can run a lot lot faster, they just get capped.

What you dont wanna do is purchase slower RAM, and I wouldn't recommend overclocking it.

Dell are typically very fussy though but if your RAM already is unbuffered and non-ecc it should be little problem to exchange from 512mb to 1gb sticks.

:arrow:

[Mattbot2]

my old dell dimension 2350 originally had 256mb of ram, but a year back i added it another 256mb and it was fine. all i needed to do was hit any key to continue, tell ya what though, took hours to find that \"any key\"

but what if i were to put DDR2 memory into a DDR motherboard?

[Doctor 8Ball]

You could try and you should photograph and upload the results. :)


Me thinks however....
While DDR2 has 240 pins, DDR has 184 pins and the little notch in the middle is slightly off, it will break if you even attempt to stick it in the DDR motherboard. :shock:


Check this 'borrowed' image, guess which is which?:

http://www.pcstats.com/articleimages/200404/CrucialPc4300DDR2_compare.jpg

[Mattbot2]

bottom one is ddr? :twisted:

[Anonymous]

LOL! ddr2 has smaller chips. So you got that 50/50 guess wrong lol.