Got a computer question.....

IronHide · Post by **IronHide** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 7:35 am

Just out of curiousity (and i don't know). What exactly is the difference between DDR PC2700 and PC4200? Oh and can I put the 2700 in if I am currently using the 4200?

Obfleur · Post by **Obfleur** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 8:20 am

I'm pretty sure you shouldn't mix them.

As for the difference: the higher the number, the better it is?

Post by **Denyer** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 9:21 am

RAM will generally downclock. If you put PC2700 in, all of the RAM can only run (stably) at PC2700 speeds, whether there's faster PC4200 in there or not.

If you have a PC2700-capable system, you could probably put PC4200 RAM in it safely. Check what your motherboard supports.

You can definitely put PC133 SDRAM in machines with 100Mhz or 66Mhz system buses. It just runs at the lower speed. It's actually hard to find 66Mhz RAM these days -- low demand, low production, and consequently it's expensive if you want it new with a guarantee -- so unless a device is particularly fussy about memory, using more recent stock is the norm.

Legion · Post by **Legion** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 12:49 pm

Denyer wrote:If you have a PC2700-capable system, you could probably put PC4200 RAM in it safely. Check what your motherboard supports.

unfortunately that is not always true, so do check your motherboard specs.
i tried installed pc2700 ram in a 2100 motherboard... whilst it would kind of work, i would get horrendous amounts of BSODs... the same ram works fine in a board designed to run 2700 ram... i think a big part of it is the quality of the Ram as well as what the motherboard is designed for.

IronHide · Post by **IronHide** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 2:57 pm

Well, i have 4200 in right now and i found a hella good deal on a 1g stick of 2700. Im just not sure if that will cause problems.....

Post by **Denyer** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 4:25 pm

Consensus of two is: RTFM. If you can't find or download a manual for the motherboard, don't try it.

Legion · Post by **Legion** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 4:28 pm

IronHide wrote:Well, i have 4200 in right now and i found a hella good deal on a 1g stick of 2700. Im just not sure if that will cause problems.....

No problems as such, but it probably will cause your 4200 stick to run at 2700 speeds... the ram system will always run to the lowest common denominator.

Denyer wrote:Consensus of two is: RTFM.

RTFM

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 9:32 pm

This conversation is pretty exciting. If it continues like this, I may need to put on my slightly larger glasses.

IronHide · Post by **IronHide** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 10:18 pm

Thanks for the info. Just ordered me a gig of nice new DDR2 SODIMM PC4200 for only $79.

I'm gonna be flyin now. woot.

Gekigengar · Post by **Gekigengar** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 12:00 am

I would not recommend mixing.

If I do recall... PC4200 is consedered DDR2. PC2100 are considered DDR1.

The highest a DDR 1 mems currently are the PC3200.

The type of mem you can currently use are also dependent on the motherboard itself.

If a mobo can only handle mems of upto PC3200, there is a good chance your system, for lack (or in) of a technical term... "crash".... or just will not start.

BTW, those 4200 are faster and beefier than 2100.

Think of Tim "the Toolman" Allen, bigger is better.

ugh, ugh, ugh.

Sell your mems in ebay.