Quick RAM question

rmg1

I'm looking to upgrade my home machine from 768MB to 1.5GB of RAM.
I know most of the details for the RAM except the speed.

If I buy PC3200 RAM and my motherboard will only support PC2700, will I do any damage?

I know I'll need to go on Crucial at some point to check how much my motherboard will support in terms of MB but will the wrong speed do any harm?

irnbru_2

rmg1 wrote: »

If I buy PC3200 RAM and my motherboard will only support PC2700, will I do any damage?

No, it'll run at the lower speed.

Cerro

It should run at the lower speed though i've seen cases where higher speed ram in unsupported motherboards just don't boot. Its rare though so you should be safe enough. You certainly won't blow anything up, if that is what you are worried about.

Donnie

Why don't you know the necessary details? Download and Run CPUZ to find out; http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

No need for installation.

BillScarab

There's also a utility on the crucial website that you can download which tells you the type and speed of RAM you currently have so you can buy the same.

rmg1

I'm not buying it (it's being bought for me) and I'm at work.
I can remember most of the details, so I'll probably have to chance it.
I suppose I can swap it if it doesn't work.

rmg1

Just to resurrect this thread and to save starting a new one :-
Does anyone know if I can remove both sticks of DDR RAM and use DDR2 RAM instead?

I'm fairly sure you can't play mix-and-match, but I don't know if you can use one instead of the other.

x_Wilco_x

I thought DDR was 184 pin and DDR2 was 240 pin therefore will not fit in each others mobo slot...

rmg1

Thanks for that - will probably save me a fortune in wrong RAM.

GoofyGAT

rmg1 wrote: »

I'm looking to upgrade my home machine from 768MB to 1.5GB of RAM.

For a start, have you checked how many slots you have free? Also, 1.5Gb may not work in dual-channel mode (depends on the motherboard make & model though - mine does on a Gigabyte GA-7N400 Pro2), but you probably won't see much difference if it does or not anyway(?)

rmg1 wrote: »

If I buy PC3200 RAM and my motherboard will only support PC2700, will I do any damage?

I'm with Cerro on this one.

x Wilco x, is right about DDR/DDR2 not being interchangeable (unless you had a motherboard compatible with either - like this for example). G

rmg1

*** Numpty-level question warning ***

OK - I've just installed 1 GB stick which I've swapped for a 256MB stick, which should give me 1.5GB.
My Computer properties shows 1GB and Crucial is showing 2 x 512MB sticks installed.

Is it possible 2 kill half a memory stick and only be able to use half the RAM on it?
Crucial says I can use up to 2GB RAM in total and that I have a VIA KM266 motherboard.