DDR SDRAM memory type for a no-brand name computer

[jomason]

I have a no-brand name computer with a Via P4M266-8233 mainboard, a
ViaProSavageDDR P 4M266 chipset, and 256MB of RAM (as determined by a
couple of utility programs (Belarc and Dr. Hardware).

When I purchased the computer, it supposedly used DDR SDRAM. My
question is which DDR SDRAM? DDR PC1600, PC2100, or PC2700. Is there
an easy way to tell what kind of DDR SDRAM it is because I want to add
256MB or 512MB to the system?

John

 

[Bob Knowlden]

http://www.via.com.tw/en/products/chipsets/p4-series/p4m266/

It looks like the chipset supports both SDRAM (PC100 or PC133) and DDR.

Everest home edition (free from http://www.lavalys.com/) can tell you
whether you have SDRAM or DDR, although I don't know whether it's completely
reliable for that.

Usually, the memory is run synchronized to the processor's FSB (front side
bus) frequency. A P4 with a 400 MHz FSB needs DDR200 (=PC1600) memory at a
minimum, and a 533 MHz FSB needs DDR266 (= PC2100) memory or faster.
However, DDR333 (=PC2700) and DDR400 (=PC3200) memory can usually be run at
the lower frequencies. (I don't recall whether I have ever seen PC1600 for
sale; don't bother looking for it.)

If you can identify the mainboard
(http://www.viaarena.com/default.aspx?PageID=17&CID=36 ), you may wish to
visit www.crucial.com. For example, if it's an ECS P4VMM, Crucial lists
PC2100, PC2700, and PC3200 DDR DIMMs for it, plus their high performance
Ballistix memory (expensive).

I'd expect generic non-ECC DDR DIMMs, PC2100 or better, to work. The ECS
board above can even take 1 GB DIMMs, if the expense is tolerable.

HTH.

Bob Knowlden

Address may be scrambled. Replace nkbob with bobkn.

 

[Del Cecchi]

http://www.via.com.tw/en/products/chipsets/p4-series/p4m266/

It looks like the chipset supports both SDRAM (PC100 or PC133) and DDR.

Everest home edition (free from http://www.lavalys.com/) can tell you
whether you have SDRAM or DDR, although I don't know whether it's
completely reliable for that.

Usually, the memory is run synchronized to the processor's FSB (front side
bus) frequency. A P4 with a 400 MHz FSB needs DDR200 (=PC1600) memory at a
minimum, and a 533 MHz FSB needs DDR266 (= PC2100) memory or faster.
However, DDR333 (=PC2700) and DDR400 (=PC3200) memory can usually be run
at the lower frequencies. (I don't recall whether I have ever seen PC1600
for sale; don't bother looking for it.)

If you can identify the mainboard
(http://www.viaarena.com/default.aspx?PageID=17&CID=36 ), you may wish to
visit www.crucial.com. For example, if it's an ECS P4VMM, Crucial lists
PC2100, PC2700, and PC3200 DDR DIMMs for it, plus their high performance
Ballistix memory (expensive).

I'd expect generic non-ECC DDR DIMMs, PC2100 or better, to work. The ECS
board above can even take 1 GB DIMMs, if the expense is tolerable.

HTH.

Bob Knowlden

Address may be scrambled. Replace nkbob with bobkn.

Uh, why don't you open it up, look at what is already installed and get some
more of that?

 

[NuTCrAcKeR]

if memory serves ... that board is a combo SDRAM, DDR ram board.

Supports up to 133FSB ... which generally leaves you with PC133 or PC2100
(DDR) for your setup.

either way, 266FSB on yer althon.

- NuTs

 

[jomason]

Del,

I have it opened up. Where would I read on the SDRAM module to tell me
what kind of memory and the number of pins?

John

 

[Trent]

Del,

I have it opened up. Where would I read on the SDRAM module to tell me
what kind of memory and the number of pins?

How many notches along the side with the fingers?

1 = DDR
2 = PC133

If DDR, you need at least DDR-266. But getting higher speed memory is
never a bad idea, esp. if price difference is negligible.

 

[Del Cecchi]

Look at the manufacturer's numbers and look it up on the net. It will tell
what it is.

 

[keith]

Look at the manufacturer's numbers and look it up on the net. It will tell
what it is.

Sure. 95% of the time Google will tell you exactly what it is. Though
don't go by the chips. You really need the numbers off the DIMM.

Alternative #1: GO into bios to see what the motherboard thinks it is, and
order that.

Alternative #2: plug the make and model into http://www.crucial.com and
buy what it turns up.

 

[keith]

How many notches along the side with the fingers?

1 = DDR
2 = PC133

That doesn't tell all. The position of the notches is important too.

If DDR, you need at least DDR-266. But getting higher speed memory is
never a bad idea, esp. if price difference is negligible.

This isn't always a good idea either. There have been many reports of
"faster" memory not working in slower machines.

 

[jomason]

According to the Everest Home edition, the motherboard is an ECS P4VMM.
According to Dr. Hardware utility, the memory is DDR SDRAM. According
to http://www.crucial.com, the ECS P4VMM can use PC2100, PC2700, and PC
3200 DDR SDRAM memory.

Circuit City has the Kingston Technologies 512MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM
Desktop Memory on sale this week for $73.99 less a $35.00 rebate for a
net cost of $38.99. The weekly ad also advertises it as Kingston
512MBPC3200/2700/2100. I think that I will buy one of those modules
today. If it doesn't work, I will return it.

Finally, every graphic/photo of DDR SDRAM DIMM memory module I have
seen shows it to have two notches at each end of a module.

Thanks for everyone's input. Now only if I could get past #*$( DVD
Movie Player system file when trying to upgrade from WIN 98SE to WIN XP
Pro. Unfortunately, the Upgrade freezes at that point; and I am
extremely reluctant to do a complete install. However, that is another
story.

John