Quick Question About RAM

CrazyBones · Post by **CrazyBones** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 7:52 pm

I want to upgrade my Sony Vaio desktop with more RAM. It came with PC2100 DDR chips. Would it also be compatible with a PC2700 chip? The reason I'm asking is because I salvaged some parts from a broken HP desktop which was bought around the same time I got the Vaio.

CrazyBones · Post by **CrazyBones** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 8:15 pm

Although these are all types of double data rate (DDR) memory, the varying numbers refer to the different speeds of memory your computer was designed for. Crucial no longer carries PC2100 (DDR266) memory, but PC2700 (DDR333) memory and PC3200 (DDR400) are backward-compatible with PC2100.

Memory is designed to be backward-compatible, so generally speaking, you can safely add faster memory to a computer that was designed to run slower memory. However, your system will operate at the speed of the slowest module or system component (the "lowest common denominator" effect).

I guess I answered my own question.

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 8:53 pm

Yes (maybe). Be aware OEM systems can be very fussy about RAM so don't be surprised if it doesn't work. Even if it POST I would recommend you run MEMTEST86+ for at least 1 pass after installing the new RAM to make sure it's stable.

If it doesn't work, then go to Crucial.com and use their database to order RAM that is guaranteed to work with your PC. RAM is dirt cheap right now.

CrazyBones · Post by **CrazyBones** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 9:18 pm

I installed it and it seems to be working fine thus far. I'll try to run MEMTEST86+.

normalicy · Post by **normalicy** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 10:51 pm

I've found at times that I had to keep one of the old sticks in the laptop & put one of the new ones to get it to recognize it (odd). Then I was able to put a second one in. But yeah, mostly the higher speeds are compatible. Crucial is your friend.

CrazyBones · Post by **CrazyBones** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 5:13 pm

FlyingPenguin wrote:Yes (maybe). Be aware OEM systems can be very fussy about RAM so don't be surprised if it doesn't work. Even if it POST I would recommend you run MEMTEST86+ for at least 1 pass after installing the new RAM to make sure it's stable.

If it doesn't work, then go to Crucial.com and use their database to order RAM that is guaranteed to work with your PC. RAM is dirt cheap right now.

I downloaded MEMTEST86+ and it's an ISO file. What am I supposed to do with that?

Key Keeper · Post by **Key Keeper** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 6:41 pm

burn it with nero or some other burning app (fire burner is free I think) then boot off of it and let it do its dirty work.