SDRAM Mismatch 1

[ChrisRChamberlain]

Hi all

Been given a Dell Inspiron 8500 notebook in good working order.

DIMM A is DDR-SDRAM PC-2700 (166MHz) - (DDR-333) 256MB
DIMM B is DDR-SDRAM PC-3200 (200MHz) - (DDR-400) 1024MB

All works well running Windows 7, but would like up the memory to 2GB.

As the notebook is ancient but has a Pentium 4 processor, am reluctant to spend any more than necessary, so eBay auction here we come.

Options would be 1GB or 2GB PC-2700 - alternatively 1 GB PC-3200?

Please advise

TIA

FAQ184-2483​

Chris
PDFcommander.co.uk
motrac.co.uk

 

[goombawaho]

I don't understand why you say "mismatch" in the title.

You basically have to throw away the 256 stick and then replace it with a 1GB stick (most logical) of 2700 or 3200 DDR-SDRAM.

I'd say that would more economical than buying a 2GB stick.

Late news: Crucial says max of 1GB per slot, so forget 2GB

Memory Type: DDR PC2700, DDR (non-ECC)
Maximum Memory: 2GB
Slots: 2
Each memory slot can hold DDR PC2700 with a maximum of 1GB per slot.*

 

[ChrisRChamberlain]

Options would be 1GB or 2GB PC-2700

By that I meant either replace 1 stick with 1GB or both sticks with 1GB, not 2GB in a single slot - apologies for the confusion.


So which type of RAM will give the best performance?

FAQ184-2483​

Chris
PDFcommander.co.uk
motrac.co.uk

 

[DrB0b]

I think you are asking, "can I run two 1GB sticks, one at 2700 and the other at 3200 without any hickups?"

What we know so far;

-thanks to Goomba, we cannot use a 2GB stick in any slot due to 1 GB max per slot, thus giving us a 2GB total max RAM
-thanks to OP, he already has a 1GB 3200 stick in there
-thanks to me, buy another 3200 1GB and be happy. If you go with a 2700, the pair will run at the lowest RAM stick's speed.

In closing, two sticks, each 1GB 3200.

"You don't know what you got, till its gone..
80's hair band Cinderella or ode to data backups???

 

[ChrisRChamberlain]

Thanks goombawaho and DrBOb for your replies.

Another 3200 1GB it will be.

FAQ184-2483​

Chris
PDFcommander.co.uk
motrac.co.uk

 

[goombawaho]

If you can get the 1GB of 2700 cheaper than 3200, then go with that because you are limited to the lower speed as mentioned.

 

[ChrisRChamberlain]

goombawaho

Thanks - there's more 2700 around than 3200, so the price will have an impact.

FAQ184-2483​

Chris
PDFcommander.co.uk
motrac.co.uk