Unsolved
This post is more than 5 years old
8 Posts
0
23989
February 21st, 2007 23:00
Memory (RAM) Upgrade - Dimension 5150
Hi, I am looking to buy another 2Gb RAM for my PC and if possible would like to match my existing pair. My understanding of RAM technology and the particular specifications for RAM is very limited, so I’m not having much success with my research so far.
Firstly, please advise if the RAM I’m considering will match my current pair (I have confirmed on the Corsair forum that this RAM will work ok on my system – the question is limited to whether it’ll work well with my existing RAM. Note that I got my question wrong when asking Corsair. I Meant 'timings', not 'speed' AND at the time I thought I had Legend memory installed. Uber Noob!). If it’s evident that it won’t match, perhaps you could advise what other products are available (if any) that would work effectively with my pair?
It might also help if you could explain WHY the product I’m looking at is/isn’t compatible with my current set? The grey area for me is around the RAM timings (I really don’t understand these at all) and just how close they have to be to mine to maximise the chance that they’ll work together. (Note, I’m working on the assumption that if all the other specs are the same, it’s the timings that will decide if the memory is compatible? Please correct me if I’m wrong) i.e. "240 Pin Unbuffered DDR2 4200 533MHz NECC SDRAM" + matching RAM timings?
Besides the RAM timings one other thing that confuses me is that CPUZ tells me my RAM is PC2-4300 (266MHz), but whenever I search for RAM for my system it advises using "4200"? Is there a difference?
I will list below as much relevant info as I can about my PC & current RAM specs and also provide a link to a pair that I’m interested in buying.
My PC Specs:
Intel Pentium D 820 2.8Ghz (2X1MB L2 cache, 800MHz FSB)
Intel(R) 945G Chipset
Genuine Windows(R) XP MediaCenter Edition 2005
160GB SATA 3.0Gb/s with Native Command Queuing
256MB PCIe(TM) x16 ATI Radeon(TM) X600
Integrated Sound Blaster® Audigy ADVANCED HD Audio
Dell(TM) Single TV Tuner Card with Remote Control
16X DVD+/-RW with Dual Layer Write Capabilities
Dell(TM) 5650 Surround Sound Speakers with subwoofer
19" UltraSharp(TM) Flat Panel LCD Monitor
etc etc...
Current RAM:
1GB (2X512) NECC Dual Channel DDR2 533MHz SDRAM Memory – Samsung Brand (Detailed Specs here)
Interested in buying the following Corsair RAM:
Corsair 2GB (2x 1GB Kit) Value Select PC-4200, 240-pin DDR2, non-ECC, Unbuffered, 2x128Mx64 ($209AU) (Purchase site here). Note I cannot find a detailed spec sheet on this RAM to determine the timings. One website suggests 4-4-4-12, but another site shows the timings as 5-5-5-15?! Hence my confusion!
Hope you can help?
Cheers, MrE.
PS. Screenshots from CPUZ detailing my system specs:
PPS. I can provide the Register Dump if it helps?
Message Edited by MisterE68 on 02-22-2007 11:53 AM
Message Edited by MisterE68 on 02-22-2007 11:55 AM
MisterE68
8 Posts
0
February 22nd, 2007 02:00
Sorry about double post - just wanted to add some clarification to my question...
In particular, I’m concerned about the variation in RAM timings between my current sticks and those of any new product that I look at.
(I should declare at this stage that I know virtually nothing about this subject, so please excuse my ‘newbishness’).
When shopping around for a match with my existing RAM, how concerned should I be about RAM timings? Are they significant enough that it could prevent the two pairs of RAM working together at all?
(Note I am not attached to this purchase in particular – will happily receive other recommendations - ‘brand’ name, generic or otherwise, if you can indicate they’re a good chance of working with my existing memory).
PS. If the RAM I decide to purchase isn’t compatible then it obviously won’t be the end of the world – just trying not to waste it. If it works then it’s a bonus! (but at least I’ve done my best to find a match first)
Message Edited by MisterE68 on 02-22-2007 02:11 PM