Supply voltage for memory chips 1

[Mike Lewis]

I am shopping for DDR-SDRAM memory chips to upgrade an HP Pavilion desktop machine. According to the manufacturer's specs, the memory has a supply voltage of 2.5V. But all the memory vendors' websites I've checked show the voltage as 2.6V. The specs match in every other detail.

My question is: Does this small difference in voltage matter? Would it be dangerous or unwise to install the chips?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Mike



__________________________________
Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

My Visual FoxPro site: www.ml-consult.co.uk

 

[paparazi]

By the information you have supplied (could have done with a full spec really) you are using 184pin NON-ECC DDR ram either PC2100/2700/3200 basically original DDR for desktop PC's these are mostly quoted at 2.6volts.
0.1volt isn't going to damage anything to be honest, some server type workstations did use ECC type (this is NON-ECC) but this is unlikely to be fitted in a desktop machine.
You could do with refering to the manual for compatible capacities, configurations (in which slots) and brands.
I believe Crucial do a gauranteed compatibility chart.
Martin

On wings like angels whispers sweet
my heart it feels a broken beat
Touched soul and hurt lay wounded deep
Brown eyes are lost afar and sleep

 

[Mike Lewis]

Hi Paparazi,

Thanks for your speedy reply, which is most helpful. Your diagnosis is spot on. You're right that I should have posted the ful spec. This is what I got from HP:

1GB DDR DIMMs
DIMM type: PC2700 (333MHz) and PC3200 (400 MHz) DDR-SDRAM
Sockets: 4 DDR DIMM (184-pin) sockets
Non-ECC (64-bit) memory only, unbuffered
2.5 V memory only

And this is what Crucial Scan gave me:

Package: 184-pin DIMM
Feature: DDR PC3200
Specs: DDR PC3200 • CL=3 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR400 • 2.6V • 128Meg x 64

So, if I've understoon this right, you're saying that the difference in voltage won't do any harm, which Crucial seems to be confirming.

This is just what I needed to know. I appreciate your expertise.

Mike

__________________________________
Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

My Visual FoxPro site: www.ml-consult.co.uk

 

[paparazi]

Like I say Mike....start the machine up...go into the bios and check the (dimm) memory voltages. See what the machine is actually running the memory at!
Putting 2.6volt modules into 2.5volt slots (if that is what they are)is a slight memory undervolt and certainly won't cause any damage.

Martin


On wings like angels whispers sweet
my heart it feels a broken beat
Touched soul and hurt lay wounded deep
Brown eyes are lost afar and sleep

 

[Mike Lewis]

Martin,

I've been all round the BIOS screens, but I can't see any reference to the voltage anywhere. But never mind. I'm happy with your good advice.

I also checked with a vendor (Jigsaw 24 -

http://www.jigsaw24.com).

The guy I spoke to seemed knowledgeable, and he confirmed what you said about the small difference in voltage not being a problem. So I've gone ahead and placed an order.

Thanks again for your help.

Mike

__________________________________
Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

My Visual FoxPro site: www.ml-consult.co.uk

 

[paparazi]

Hi Mike
We have dealt with Jigsaw in the past for our AppleMac stuff, good company but a bit pricey! next time I would recommend that you use a PC component business rather than a specialised design/print/video/camera publishing supplier like Jigsaw.
I Use:

http://www.ebuyer.com

http://www.scan.co.uk

http://www.novatech.co.uk

http://www.dabs.com

I'm guessing you got charged a lot more than this:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/65719

Martin


On wings like angels whispers sweet
my heart it feels a broken beat
Touched soul and hurt lay wounded deep
Brown eyes are lost afar and sleep

 

[Mike Lewis]

Thanks for the suggestions, Martin.

My comany has a couple of regular suppliers of hardware, accessories, components, etc. I contacted them - along with several others I found via a search - to ask which memory chips I should order. Jigsaw was the only one to give me a prompt and intelligent reply, which is why I gave them the business.

I didn't bother to compare prices in this case. A few GBPs either way doesn't really matter. However, I'll keep in mind what you said about Jigsaw being pricey.

Mike



__________________________________
Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

My Visual FoxPro site: www.ml-consult.co.uk

 

[paparazi]

Indeed, service is very important...and it sounds like they deserve your custom.
Martin

On wings like angels whispers sweet
my heart it feels a broken beat
Touched soul and hurt lay wounded deep
Brown eyes are lost afar and sleep

 

[Mike Lewis]

Just to wind this up ....

My original question was whether I could use 2.6V chips when the specs called for 2.5V. I spent a lot of time and hassle trying to get the answer to that question - before I had the sense to post a question in this forum. Base on what Martin here and the guy at Jigsaw said, I decided to go ahead

Well, the chips arrived today, and guess what ... they're labelled 2.5V after all.

I think there's a fundamental lesson in there somewhere.

Mike

__________________________________
Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

My Visual FoxPro site: www.ml-consult.co.uk

 

[paparazi]

Mike.....sods law.....but you gotta smile.
Martin

On wings like angels whispers sweet
my heart it feels a broken beat
Touched soul and hurt lay wounded deep
Brown eyes are lost afar and sleep