Memory

[JP]

Gramps has the following desktop computer: HP Pavilion a705w desktop PC
(part number PJ562AA) There is one stick of memory (256MB) installed.

HP states that the maximum memory that can be installed is 1 GB (2 x 512
MB). HP also states that the memory speed supported is PC2700 MB/sec
(messages at PC2100)

I have two sticks of 512 MB memory (184 pin) PC2100. If I install these two
sticks in the two slots will the PC work ok or do I need PC2700 speed
memory?

JP

 

[Paul]

Gramps has the following desktop computer: HP Pavilion a705w desktop PC
(part number PJ562AA) There is one stick of memory (256MB) installed.

HP states that the maximum memory that can be installed is 1 GB (2 x 512
MB). HP also states that the memory speed supported is PC2700 MB/sec
(messages at PC2100)

I have two sticks of 512 MB memory (184 pin) PC2100. If I install these
two sticks in the two slots will the PC work ok or do I need PC2700
speed memory?

JP

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

"Base processor
Intel Celeron(P) 340 2.93 GHz

* 533 MHz Front side bus
* Socket mPGA478

Chipset 845GV

Maximum allowed 1 GB (2 x 512 MB)
Speed supported PC2700 MB/sec (messages at PC2100)
Type 184 pin, DDR333 SDRAM
DIMM slots Two "

http://www.intel.com/design/chipsets/datashts/290746.htm

Looking at page 17 of 29074602.pdf , it looks like
FSB is FSB400 or FSB533 and memory is DDR200/266.

DDR266 corresponds to PC2100. If you purchased
PC2700 and installed it, then I expect it would
be run at PC2100. There is no evidence in the
datasheet, it runs the memory "faster than sync".
This chipset appears to be a syncing type, with no
overspeed options.

133MHz * 4 (quad pumped) = FSB533 of the Celeron stated above.
133MHz * 2 (double data rate memory) = DDR266 memory rate

DDR266 * 8 = PC_rate = PC2100

So any DDR at PC2100 or faster, should work.

The memory subsystem on that chipset, is single channel,
so there is no need to match the two sticks. You could
have a 256MB and a 512MB for example.

Now, if I look at page 108 of 29074602.pdf , it looks
like the largest DIMM is 1GB, consisting of (16) * 64Mx8
chips. Table 4-2 bottom right corner, shows "1024MB"
as an option for a DDR DIMM. If buying such from Ebay,
you'd have to be careful, because Ebay sells a lot
of "high density" DIMMs using 128Mx4 chips, and that
is not likely to work. (A high density DIMM would
likely report half of its capacity.)

As a double check, I consulted Crucial, and they say
you can use 2x1GB max (as long as they're low
density modules).

http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=Pavilion a705w

Same for Kingston.

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

When you get the new memory, don't forget to run a couple
test passes of memtest86+, before you boot to the OS.
That is to ensure the new memory is good.

http://www.memtest.org/

Since the OS shipped with the computer is WinXP, there shouldn't
be a problem with 2GB of RAM. If you're running Win98, there
are a couple tweaks you can do to one of the files, to guarantee
stability. Win98 has problems beginning somewhere between
512MB and 1GB, with 1GB being an upper limit.

Good luck,
Paul

 

[JP]

Thanks Paul.....you usually have the answer....I'm glad you responded.

I'll remove the 256 stick and replace it with my old 512 sticks. This
should help quite a bit and the machine will be fine for email,

JP

 

[Bob Knowlden]

This is mostly irrelevant, but if you follow the link to the motherboard
spec list, it gives the maximum RAM as 2GB (2 X 1GB).

I doubt that HP would cripple the board to 1GB max, even if this particular
package was sold exclusively through Wal-Mart.

It looks like you're correct in that PC2100 should work at full performance.
It's probably good that they plan to replace both DIMMs; if the system
relies on the RAM's SPD for settings (does this one do that?), I wouldn't
trust it with DIMMs from multiple manufacturers.

 

[Paul]

Paul,

Any time someone has a hardware question, or issue, you
often respond with a complete, highly detailed, and referenced
explanation. How do you manage to do this in the sometimes
short timeframes?

With Intel, it's easy, because they have info for each chipset.
If you asked a question on an AMD processor, I'd probably
take a pass on that, because getting solid info from them
is impossible. So I answer the easy ones

Paul