RAM question

[Smoke2much]

I have 512 MB of Ram and this is the next thing that I need to upgrade for my system.

Can someone explain to me what the code names/numbers mean to me, a thick consumer.

For example I am planning to buy two modules of the same type of Ram so that I get a gig and no conflicts from having differant sorts in my comp.  What is the differance between:

512MB PC-3200 DDR Memory

512MB PC2100 DDR  Memory

512MB PC-133 SDRAM Memory

512MB PC2700 DDR Memory


And so on.

Thanks.

Will

[Brett_Henderson]

These are the weird naming conventions I've never gotten a good explanation for (never really researched it either).

All the "DDR" RAMs are a completely different, faster type than the "SDRAM". If there were any consistency to naming conventions.. (PC133 runs at 133mghz) the DDRs would be renamed:

PC2100  would be  PC266
PC2700 would be   PC333
PC3200 would be   PC400  

as  266, 333 and 400 are the "mghz" they run at. ( I know.. another preposition ended sentence)

That's the best sense I can make of it.

[Smoke2much]

So the higher that number the faster the Ram then....  So what I want is a big number DDR?

[GeForce]

You got it, Will. DDR stands for Dual Data Rate, and is a new very fast type of RAM. If you can, geddit . Also, get the highest speed possible. Therefore, 512MB PC-3200 DDR Memory. I would make sure you have enough space in your motherboard for the new RAM. If you have 512MB at the moment, this may consist of two 256MB chips. If they are, then you will only have one slot remaining, and you cannot buy two more chips. Also, if they are DDR, get DDR for the new RAM, and if they are SDRAM, get SDRAM for the new RAM.

One word of warning, RAM chips are extraordinarily static sensitive, so be extremely careful when putting it in, so you don't damage your new RAM, or any other bits of the gits of the computer that you might happen to touch.

Briefly, get exactly the same type of RAM that is in your PC at the moment. Make sure you have enough space, and most important, be very careful.

Jonathan

[Smoke2much]

Thanks for the advice Jonathan.  I was planning to get 2 new strips of RAM at once, thereby increasing my capacity to 1Gig and ensuring it is the same type.

Will

[GeForce]

Good stuff Will, as long as you have room for two new RAM chips in your motherboard.

Should make your FSs a little quicker

Jonathan

[Dan]

Cor Will, think yourself lucky at what youve got!
Dan

128Mb SDRAM!  :(

[garymbuska]

Make sure what type of memory your system uses. Some systems can not use the DDR ram . And do not mix DDR ra, with SDRAM ram.   SDRAM stands for Synochrized Dynamic Ramdon Access Memory .

[Smoke2much]

[quote] Make sure what type of memory your system uses. Some systems can not use the DDR ram . And do not mix DDR ra, with SDRAM ram.

[GeForce]

Will,

If your system currently uses DDR, then get DDR. If it currently uses SDRAM, then get SDRAM. It really is as simple as that

Jonathan

[Delta_]

DDR has a different slot, refer to your manual and it will tell you what ram it will take and what the max speed it will run at is.

[bm]

What does DDR-SDRAM mean then?

[GeForce]

I assume DDR-SDRAM means Dual Data Rate Synchonised Dynamic Random Access Memory What a mouthful, no wonder they got an acronym

This is normal SDRAM in DDR format, but I haven't heard of it before and have no idea what it is & what slot it uses

Jonathan

[nickle]

You can see the break down on ram at www.pricewatch.com.
The post showing front side bus speeds and associated RAM is correct.  
I believe you can install 2700, 333 RAM in place of 2100, 266 and it will run at 266 MB FSB speed.  Another member needs to comment on this.  Older system SDRAM of 133 MHz could be installed in place of 100 MHz ram, a fact.  Advantage is that if a 2700 CPU is installed, RAM will match w/o upgrade cost.
Having gone to 1G RAM, I have found that none of the flight sims and OS use more than 512.  If I had to do it over, one 512 DIMM of CL2 RAM only.  
Best CL2 is by Corsair.  Mine is Kingston.  
The MB will recognize the high performance RAM and default set to correct BIOS values.

[congo]

nickle is right.  

512mb of quality ram is better than 1024mb of slow generic stuff, at least for Flight Simulator anyway.

You need to research your mainboard manual or the manufacturers website to determine the fastest RAM your motherboard supports.

If it's DDR Ram, then it won't hurt to buy over-spec if the cost is about the same. That way, you have more of a chance at using it in an upgrade later on.

Lastly, you aren't gonna notice much difference with your proposed upgrade and the money may be better spent on different hardware.

good luck