Want more memory;what do i need to know?

[Waheeba]

I have one ram module in my pc, but all I see marked on it is "512mb PC266
DDR." I want to add another one, but isn't it suppose to be identical to the
one that is already in the computer? That is, aren't the ram modules
supposed to be from the same company?

 

[Ronnie Vernon MVP]

I have one ram module in my pc, but all I see marked on it is "512mb
PC266 DDR." I want to add another one, but isn't it suppose to be
identical to the one that is already in the computer? That is, aren't
the ram modules supposed to be from the same company?

Not necessarily the same company, but they do have to be the same type in
every other respect. Consult the specifications for your system to determine
what type you need, if you are still unsure, remove the installed RAM module
and take it to the computer store with you so they can match it.

--
Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User

Please reply to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
http://www.dts-l.org
http://www.mvps.org

 

[Jim in Canada]

Some motherboards, yes, some no. Asus have a couple new boards that are very
finicky about what type/quality of DDR is installed.

The main thing is to match the speed/type, as the ram will slow down to the
slowest module. i.e.: if you were to install a 512mb PC100, you would have
lots of ram, but all would be running at 100 instead of the much faster 266.
That is if your board can run PC266 as some ram will slow down to the speed
of the board....I hope I haven't confused you more

Jim

 

[Jeremy Poynton]

I highly recommend www.crucial.com for memory upgrades; you can filter my
maker and type of machine to ensure you get the correct memory stick for
your make and model - and they are cheap. I have no link with this company,
but have bought memory from them 3 or 4 times; delivery also within 24 to 36
hours. I've just added a 512 meg stick to our new Dell PC, and this cost
c2/3rds of what it would hade we bought it from the suppliers Dell seem to
use on their website, Kingston

Note that they have regional sites as well; I think that they are US based,
but being in the UK, I buy from their UK site - links to regional sites are
on the home page

HTH
JP

 

[Tom]

I highly recommend www.crucial.com for memory upgrades; you can filter my
maker and type of machine to ensure you get the correct memory stick for
your make and model - and they are cheap. I have no link with this company,
but have bought memory from them 3 or 4 times; delivery also within 24 to 36
hours. I've just added a 512 meg stick to our new Dell PC, and this cost
c2/3rds of what it would hade we bought it from the suppliers Dell seem to
use on their website, Kingston

Maybe you should check the prices from that of Crucial to that of Kingston; you'll see that Kingston is by far less costly. But both providers of RAM are high quality.

 

[Waheeba]

Can I usee ECC and Non-ecc together. I know Crucial.com says I shouldn't,
but I don't see why the modules would not work altogether just because one
is parity and the other is non-parity.

 

[Waheeba]

Well, well, well. I took my computer apart to see what memory I had in there
because I am ordering new memory and I need to match what I already have.
The sticker on the ram module said "PC2600." I was going to order pc2700
instead of PC2100, which would have cost me an extra $20.

I ran CPUz and it said I had PC2100. . . .not 2600! If I had ordered the
2700, it probably would have worked, but of course it would have worked only
at the 2100 speed. The point I am trying to make though is that I would have
wasted $20.

 

[Malke]

Can I usee ECC and Non-ecc together. I know Crucial.com says I
shouldn't, but I don't see why the modules would not work altogether
just because one is parity and the other is non-parity.

You might get lucky and the computer might work, but the short answer is
that you should believe Crucial. For best results, use 1) memory that
is the right kind for your motherboard; 2) all memory should be the
same kind. Since memory is inexpensive and readily available, why mess
around with combinations that may not work? Why not start out with
everything correct and compatible?

Malke

 

[Alex Nichol]

You might get lucky and the computer might work, but the short answer is
that you should believe Crucial. For best results, use 1) memory that
is the right kind for your motherboard; 2) all memory should be the
same kind. Since memory is inexpensive and readily available, why mess
around with combinations that may not work? Why not start out with
everything correct and compatible?

Just to add. Windows contains critical timing loops that are calibrated
to a module of RAM - if the code concerned gets loaded onto a different
module with different characteristics these will crash big time. It is
unwise to say the least to mix module types with Windows - even ones
nominally the same from different makers may not match well enough