HP Memory Question

[JP]

Grandpa has a HP Pavilion a705W (Part # PJ562AA) desktop machine that has
room for a memory upgrade. The manufacturer's info in reference to the
memory capabilities is as follows:

Memory Component Attributes
Initial Memory Installed 256 MB
Maximum allowed 1 GB (2 x 512 MB)
Speed supported PC2700 MB/sec (messages at PC2100)
Type 184 pin, DDR1-333 SDRAM
DIMM slots Two

Presently, in the two slots there are two PC3200 sticks installed, one 256
MB stick and one 512 MB stick. The 256 MB stick is original and the 512
stick was added by a computer store.

I have two PC2100 512 MB sticks from another machine that I can use in this
machine. Based on the manufacturer's info above, messages at PC2100, what
would be the best configuration to use in the two slots?

Recap: I have two PC 2100 512 MB 184 pin sticks, one PC 3200 512 MB 184 pin
stick and one PC 3200 256 MB 184 pin stick.

I don't understand when HP states: "Speed supported: PC 2700 MB/sec
(messages at PC 2100)."

Am I better off with one 512 PC3200 stick and one 512 PC2100 stick or two
512 PC2100 sticks or a different combination?

Also, Crucial states that I can install up to 2 GB of memory..is this
correct?

Suggestions?

Paul will be able to answer this !!!

 

[Paul]

Grandpa has a HP Pavilion a705W (Part # PJ562AA) desktop machine that
has room for a memory upgrade. The manufacturer's info in reference to
the memory capabilities is as follows:

Memory Component Attributes
Initial Memory Installed 256 MB
Maximum allowed 1 GB (2 x 512 MB)
Speed supported PC2700 MB/sec (messages at PC2100)
Type 184 pin, DDR1-333 SDRAM
DIMM slots Two

Presently, in the two slots there are two PC3200 sticks installed, one
256 MB stick and one 512 MB stick. The 256 MB stick is original and the
512 stick was added by a computer store.

I have two PC2100 512 MB sticks from another machine that I can use in
this machine. Based on the manufacturer's info above, messages at
PC2100, what would be the best configuration to use in the two slots?

Recap: I have two PC 2100 512 MB 184 pin sticks, one PC 3200 512 MB 184
pin stick and one PC 3200 256 MB 184 pin stick.

I don't understand when HP states: "Speed supported: PC 2700 MB/sec
(messages at PC 2100)."

Am I better off with one 512 PC3200 stick and one 512 PC2100 stick or
two 512 PC2100 sticks or a different combination?

Also, Crucial states that I can install up to 2 GB of memory..is this
correct?

Suggestions?

Paul will be able to answer this !!!

The specs start here. The Northbridge is an 845GV.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...5589&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN

To answer the question, I used a document I have on disk. Intel made
a motherboard based on 845GV, so I can use that as a source of advice.

http://downloadmirror.intel.com/15210/eng/D845GVSR_TechProdSpec.pdf

"If the processor's system bus frequency is... You can use this type of DIMM...

533 MHz DDR333 or DDR266

400 MHz DDR266 or DDR200"

To start with, your PC3200 sticks support DDR400, DDR333, DDR266, DDR200. The
above table predicts the hardware could support DDR333, so you won't
be getting DDR400 rates. If the BIOS is poorly written, you
may even end up at DDR266.

The HP specs say the computer shipped with a Celeron 340 2.93 GHz/FSB533 processor.
That would correspond to the first line in the table. A PC3200, PC2700, or PC2100
DIMM would work in the machine. If you mix speeds, the slowest DIMM dictates what
speeds will be used. If you mix a PC3200 (DDR400) and a PC2100 (DDR266), then
the slowest speed of DDR266 would be used. If you install two PC3200 sticks, the
fastest they'll go is DDR333, due to the chipset limitation.

By installing the PC2100 (DDR266) DIMM, you're limiting the peak memory
bandwidth to 2100MB/sec (266*8bytes). If a DDR333 DIMM was present and
run at full speed, you'd get up to 2700MB/sec bandwidth. So that is one
consequence of your switch to slower DIMMs. If the motherboard
BIOS had controls to change the memory speed, you could experiment
with the two options while you still had the PC3200 256+512 modules,
and see how much effect operating at DDR333 or DDR266 has.
But the motherboard BIOS setup screens may lack such a setting.

You can verify the settings the computer has currently chosen to use,
with CPUZ. This program might allow you to verify it really
"messages at DDR266". Run the program and check the memory tab.

http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

The Intel board with the 845GV on it, also seems to support 2x1GB.
If you buy 1GB DDR sticks, you'd want them to be low density sticks.
Sellers on Ebay may mention on their web page, that they're selling
high density sticks.

http://www.crucial.com/store/ListParts.aspx?model=D845GVSR

To see what a low density DIMM looks like, this is a Kingston datasheet
for a module used with the D845GVSR. The module uses (16) 64Mx8 memory
chips. An Ebay seller would try to sell you (16) 128Mx4 memory chips
on a module, and that is the high density stuff. At least with Kingston,
in this example, you can see what you're getting. Detailed construction
info for RAM, isn't always provided.

http://www.valueram.com/datasheets/KVR333X64C25_1G.pdf

The data HP lists for the Pavilion a705W, was accurate at the time
the information was released. But now that 1GB modules can be purchased,
the HP table needs to be updated. Even Kingston lists 2x1GB.

http://www.ec.kingston.com/ecom/configurator_new/modelsinfo.asp?SysID=21604

I'd have to ask what Grandpa uses the computer for, before I'd shop for
2x1GB of new memory. I've run machines with 1GB total and 2GB total, and
been happy with both. The 2GB configuration allows me to run a 1GB virtual
machine, using MS VPC2007, while managing to do other things. But Grandpa
might not be running such a configuration. For email, Word, or web surfing,
it is possible 1GB would meet most daily needs. Even 768MB wouldn't be
that painful. I've worked with a WinXP 512MB machine of a relative, and
that "pinched" a bit and wasn't as snappy as it could have been. So I'd
probably like just a little bit more than 512MB. And 768MB might have met
that criterion. The Task Manager "Commit Charge" information, would allow
you to observe the peak memory usage during a working day. For example,
my peak today was 1.85GB, since I was running the 1GB virtual machine
for part of the day.

If Grandpa was using Photoshop, that benefits from more RAM. If you don't have
enough RAM, the computer uses the disk for temporary space. And the disk
is much much slower than RAM would be. So that might be an excuse for a RAM
upgrade.

Paul

 

[JP]

Thanks Paul, as always, and Ian!

The specs start here. The Northbridge is an 845GV.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...5589&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN

To answer the question, I used a document I have on disk. Intel made
a motherboard based on 845GV, so I can use that as a source of advice.

http://downloadmirror.intel.com/15210/eng/D845GVSR_TechProdSpec.pdf

"If the processor's system bus frequency is... You can use this type
of DIMM...

533 MHz DDR333 or DDR266

400 MHz DDR266 or DDR200"

To start with, your PC3200 sticks support DDR400, DDR333, DDR266, DDR200.
The
above table predicts the hardware could support DDR333, so you won't
be getting DDR400 rates. If the BIOS is poorly written, you
may even end up at DDR266.

The HP specs say the computer shipped with a Celeron 340 2.93 GHz/FSB533
processor.
That would correspond to the first line in the table. A PC3200, PC2700, or
PC2100
DIMM would work in the machine. If you mix speeds, the slowest DIMM
dictates what
speeds will be used. If you mix a PC3200 (DDR400) and a PC2100 (DDR266),
then
the slowest speed of DDR266 would be used. If you install two PC3200
sticks, the
fastest they'll go is DDR333, due to the chipset limitation.

By installing the PC2100 (DDR266) DIMM, you're limiting the peak memory
bandwidth to 2100MB/sec (266*8bytes). If a DDR333 DIMM was present and
run at full speed, you'd get up to 2700MB/sec bandwidth. So that is one
consequence of your switch to slower DIMMs. If the motherboard
BIOS had controls to change the memory speed, you could experiment
with the two options while you still had the PC3200 256+512 modules,
and see how much effect operating at DDR333 or DDR266 has.
But the motherboard BIOS setup screens may lack such a setting.

You can verify the settings the computer has currently chosen to use,
with CPUZ. This program might allow you to verify it really
"messages at DDR266". Run the program and check the memory tab.

http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

The Intel board with the 845GV on it, also seems to support 2x1GB.
If you buy 1GB DDR sticks, you'd want them to be low density sticks.
Sellers on Ebay may mention on their web page, that they're selling
high density sticks.

http://www.crucial.com/store/ListParts.aspx?model=D845GVSR

To see what a low density DIMM looks like, this is a Kingston datasheet
for a module used with the D845GVSR. The module uses (16) 64Mx8 memory
chips. An Ebay seller would try to sell you (16) 128Mx4 memory chips
on a module, and that is the high density stuff. At least with Kingston,
in this example, you can see what you're getting. Detailed construction
info for RAM, isn't always provided.

http://www.valueram.com/datasheets/KVR333X64C25_1G.pdf

The data HP lists for the Pavilion a705W, was accurate at the time
the information was released. But now that 1GB modules can be purchased,
the HP table needs to be updated. Even Kingston lists 2x1GB.

http://www.ec.kingston.com/ecom/configurator_new/modelsinfo.asp?SysID=21604

I'd have to ask what Grandpa uses the computer for, before I'd shop for
2x1GB of new memory. I've run machines with 1GB total and 2GB total, and
been happy with both. The 2GB configuration allows me to run a 1GB virtual
machine, using MS VPC2007, while managing to do other things. But Grandpa
might not be running such a configuration. For email, Word, or web
surfing,
it is possible 1GB would meet most daily needs. Even 768MB wouldn't be
that painful. I've worked with a WinXP 512MB machine of a relative, and
that "pinched" a bit and wasn't as snappy as it could have been. So I'd
probably like just a little bit more than 512MB. And 768MB might have met
that criterion. The Task Manager "Commit Charge" information, would allow
you to observe the peak memory usage during a working day. For example,
my peak today was 1.85GB, since I was running the 1GB virtual machine
for part of the day.

If Grandpa was using Photoshop, that benefits from more RAM. If you don't
have
enough RAM, the computer uses the disk for temporary space. And the disk
is much much slower than RAM would be. So that might be an excuse for a
RAM
upgrade.

Paul

 

[JP]

Paul,

Good price on the following with a rebate.........will the RAM fit?

WINTEC 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit
Desktop Memory Model 3AMD1400-2GK-R

 

[Paul]

Paul,

Good price on the following with a rebate.........will the RAM fit?

WINTEC 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel
Kit Desktop Memory Model 3AMD1400-2GK-R

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16820161161

"Pros: Low density (16 chips of 64M X 8) means it works on most boards. HP Compaq, Dell, etc.

Cons: Not low latency"

Sounds good to me It is CAS3, which is industry standard CAS latency.
Enthusiast RAM is CAS2.5 or CAS2, but you don't need that in a RAM
upgrade (it is harder to find that stuff for cheap). So enjoy your
new Wintec.

When you get it, power down (using the switch on the back of the computer),
install the RAM, then boot with a floppy with memtest86+ installed. This will
give you a good idea whether your new memory is free of the worst kind of faults.
It doesn't guarantee the RAM is perfect. You run this first, and don't boot into
Windows via the hard drive, unless this test is error free. That is to prevent
Windows from being corrupted by really bad RAM.

http://www.memtest.org/

Now, you can try booting into Windows.

If you make it this far, the next test is to run the Prime95 stress test
for up to four hours. This program will stop a test thread, on the first
error seen. This helps prove whether the memory is really good or not.
If you cannot pass this, try testing your old memory and verify whether it
passes or not. If it is just the new memory which is defective, send it back
and try again.

http://www.mersenne.org/freesoft/

" Windows Vista/XP/2003/2000/NT/Me/98/95: Download p95v259.zip, version 25.9,
last updated March 15, 2009."

You unzip that, and run the Prime95 executable. When asked to "Join GIMPs",
select the "just testing" option. The program will run forever if you let
it. Stop it after four hours or so, as your check for error free performance.

The two memory tests are complementary. Each has its purpose in life,
which is why you run both of them before closing up the side of the
computer and giving it back to Grandpa. If you prepare your test
cases in advance, you can test them on the existing 768MB of RAM
you own first, to learn how to use the tools.

Paul

 

[JP]

Thanks again Paul !!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16820161161

"Pros: Low density (16 chips of 64M X 8) means it works on most boards.
HP Compaq, Dell, etc.

Cons: Not low latency"

Sounds good to me It is CAS3, which is industry standard CAS latency.
Enthusiast RAM is CAS2.5 or CAS2, but you don't need that in a RAM
upgrade (it is harder to find that stuff for cheap). So enjoy your
new Wintec.

When you get it, power down (using the switch on the back of the
computer),
install the RAM, then boot with a floppy with memtest86+ installed. This
will
give you a good idea whether your new memory is free of the worst kind of
faults.
It doesn't guarantee the RAM is perfect. You run this first, and don't
boot into
Windows via the hard drive, unless this test is error free. That is to
prevent
Windows from being corrupted by really bad RAM.

http://www.memtest.org/

Now, you can try booting into Windows.

If you make it this far, the next test is to run the Prime95 stress test
for up to four hours. This program will stop a test thread, on the first
error seen. This helps prove whether the memory is really good or not.
If you cannot pass this, try testing your old memory and verify whether it
passes or not. If it is just the new memory which is defective, send it
back
and try again.

http://www.mersenne.org/freesoft/

" Windows Vista/XP/2003/2000/NT/Me/98/95: Download p95v259.zip, version
25.9,
last updated March 15, 2009."

You unzip that, and run the Prime95 executable. When asked to "Join
GIMPs",
select the "just testing" option. The program will run forever if you let
it. Stop it after four hours or so, as your check for error free
performance.

The two memory tests are complementary. Each has its purpose in life,
which is why you run both of them before closing up the side of the
computer and giving it back to Grandpa. If you prepare your test
cases in advance, you can test them on the existing 768MB of RAM
you own first, to learn how to use the tools.

Paul