RAM Quality (PC2100 vs 2700)

[stromer]

I just got a new Dell 2400, 2.2 GHZ P4. It came with 128 MB PC 2700
RAM. I want to upgrade to 384 or 512 MB.
It seems there is a wide variance in prices of RAM at the various
computer stores(Best Buy, CompUSA, etc) because of various rebates.
Currently there is a sale on Kingston Value Ram KVR333/256R for $25.
The Kingston web site says there is another RAM for this Dell and this
generic RAM may not work with the Intel 845GV. Other RAM costs from
about $50 - $80 for the 256 MB.
Q1: Will this lower cost RAM work with my DELL?
Q2: Are there quality issues with different RAM Mfgs, i.e. could some
RAM work better than others?
Q3: If this value RAM worked, would it work as well as any other RAM
- even the one recommended by Kingston?
Q4: I have not done Memtest 86 yet, would that test tell me if the
RAM was fully working?
Q5: Can RAM partially work, i.e., could only 128MB of 256MB be
working?
Q6: If I mix PC 2100 and PC 2700 in the two slots, will they both
work at their respective speed, or will the PC 2700 work at the
downgraded speed of PC2100?

Thanks for any advice on the above,
Rick

 

[ElJerid]

I just got a new Dell 2400, 2.2 GHZ P4. It came with 128 MB PC 2700
RAM. I want to upgrade to 384 or 512 MB.
It seems there is a wide variance in prices of RAM at the various
computer stores(Best Buy, CompUSA, etc) because of various rebates.
Currently there is a sale on Kingston Value Ram KVR333/256R for $25.
The Kingston web site says there is another RAM for this Dell and this
generic RAM may not work with the Intel 845GV. Other RAM costs from
about $50 - $80 for the 256 MB.
Q1: Will this lower cost RAM work with my DELL?

Maybe. No one can say i for sure. Only testing...

Q2: Are there quality issues with different RAM Mfgs, i.e. could some
RAM work better than others?

Better surely not. If it works depends of the RAM. Again, only testing can
say it.

Q3: If this value RAM worked, would it work as well as any other RAM
- even the one recommended by Kingston?
Yes.

Q4: I have not done Memtest 86 yet, would that test tell me if the
RAM was fully working?

Yes. But this is not necessary. Just starting your PC will also tell you.
Look at the start up screen.

Q5: Can RAM partially work, i.e., could only 128MB of 256MB be
working?
Yes.

Q6: If I mix PC 2100 and PC 2700 in the two slots, will they both
work at their respective speed, or will the PC 2700 work at the
downgraded speed of PC2100?

No. Both RAMs will work at the same lowest speed.

 

[DaveW]

1) Avoid cheap RAM. You may experience timing problems using it with your
Dell's RAM.

2) If you mix PC2100 and PC2700 sticks of RAM they will BOTH run at PC2100
speed.

 

[kony]

1) Avoid cheap RAM. You may experience timing problems using it with your
Dell's RAM.

I don't claim to have seen most Dells, but those I've seen did not use
hi-spec memory, a generic low-end memory module likely uses same
timings as the original Dell module, and if someone were to buy
hi-spec memory, the original Dell memory would cause reduced timings.

2) If you mix PC2100 and PC2700 sticks of RAM they will BOTH run at PC2100
speed.

Untrue.
The machine will run at the speed determined by the BIOS, either by
autodetect of CPU, or user's jumper and/or BIOS settings. It doesn't
matter if the modules are mixed PCnnn rating, the slower module will
not cause the machine to drop in bus frequency.... attempting to run
at higher speed than a module supports may cause errors, or even
failure to POST, but not a reduction in MHz frequency.

 

[DaveinOlyWa]

you made a mistake by getting only 128 MB to begin with.

you take advantage of the DDR capabilities of your system, you must
install 2 identical RAM modules.

you have pc 2700 RAM in your system, but your system is made to run
pc2100 (533 FSB).

my sis bought the same as you except she got 256 and added a 512
afterward, well to make a long story short, she went through 4 diff
ram before she found one that worked and it is still in single mode.

your best bet, is toss the 128 and get a good pair of something else.
you could use the Dell trick of getting higher rated cheap crap. but
i suggest you get a good brand of 2100.

also you might find that "value" ram will not work for certain
chipsets and processors. i would check to make sure that what you buy
is compatible.

but for an extra 20$ you dont have to think about that stuff.