Windows 7 - RAM Upgrade on Laptop

oreo27 · 02-06-2012

Hi,

The scenario is as follows:

1. I have a 1x512 Hynic DDR-333 PC2700 SODIMM laying around the house.
2. My friend saw this and asked me if he could have it installed on his laptop.
3. I googled said laptop and found that memory upgrades for it are DDR-266 PC2100 (Manufacturer site)
4. I also saw same laptop on Crucial's site that it can take DDR-333 PC2700.
5. I told him to play it safe and not install it.
6. He's calling me again now and asking me if he could just try it.
7. I told him that I'd ask some knowledgeable people about this matter.

What's the worst that could happen if he installs it on his laptop and it doesn't actually accept said speed?

I'll provide more details as I get them. Thanks in advance.

derekimo · 02-06-2012

Have a look at this,

Crucial FAQ - Answer

Quote:

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).

One thing to keep in mind is that the memory does need to be the same type-for example, SDRAM cannot be mixed with DDR, and DDR cannot be mixed with DDR2.

smarteyeball · 02-06-2012

Quote: Originally Posted by oreo27

What's the worst that could happen if he installs it on his laptop and it doesn't actually accept said speed?

It will either be unstable (crash, freeze etc) or will fail to POST. No actual damage will occur.

profdlp · 02-06-2012

I'd make sure my backups were in good shape first - just in case. If the thing is wildly unstable but manages to boot before it crashes it could possibly corrupt the OS.

(Having your backups in good shape is a good practice, anyway.)

oreo27 · 02-06-2012

Quote: Originally Posted by derekimo

Have a look at this,

Crucial FAQ - Answer

Quote:

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).

One thing to keep in mind is that the memory does need to be the same type-for example, SDRAM cannot be mixed with DDR, and DDR cannot be mixed with DDR2.

Good info. I hope that it really is backwards compatible.

Quote: Originally Posted by smarteyeball

Quote: Originally Posted by oreo27

What's the worst that could happen if he installs it on his laptop and it doesn't actually accept said speed?

It will either be unstable (crash, freeze etc) or will fail to POST. No actual damage will occur.

Quote: Originally Posted by profdlp

I'd make sure my backups were in good shape first - just in case. If the thing is wildly unstable but manages to boot before it crashes it could possibly corrupt the OS.

(Having your backups in good shape is a good practice, anyway.)

This guy isn't very computer savy so I doubt it. In any case, I guess the risk isn't that bad. I'll just image his drive with Macrium and install the RAM sticks. I'll then post back here on what happens.

Rep added for everyone I can add to

profdlp · 02-06-2012

Quote: Originally Posted by profdlp

I'd make sure my backups were in good shape first - just in case. If the thing is wildly unstable but manages to boot before it crashes it could possibly corrupt the OS.

(Having your backups in good shape is a good practice, anyway.)

Quote: Originally Posted by oreo27

...This guy isn't very computer savy so I doubt it. In any case, I guess the risk isn't that bad. I'll just image his drive with Macrium and install the RAM sticks...

That is a very good idea.

oreo27 · 02-06-2012

Quote: Originally Posted by profdlp

I'd make sure my backups were in good shape first - just in case. If the thing is wildly unstable but manages to boot before it crashes it could possibly corrupt the OS.

(Having your backups in good shape is a good practice, anyway.)

Quote: Originally Posted by oreo27

...This guy isn't very computer savy so I doubt it. In any case, I guess the risk isn't that bad. I'll just image his drive with Macrium and install the RAM sticks...

That is a very good idea.

One I couldn't have thought of until you reminded me.

Lol. Thanks.

DeaconFrost · 02-06-2012

I wouldn't have any worry about data loss or corruption. If the laptop boots to Windows, then it is a safe bet the memory is compatible. memory can always down clock to a lower speed, so assuming his laptop really takes DDR memory, and is capable of handling 512 MB sticks, he should be okay.

There's always a chance that memory of different brands won't play nice together, but unfortunately, there's no way to know this ahead of time. It's always best to used matched pairs, but in this case, trying it out os the only way to know.

oreo27 · 02-06-2012

Quote: Originally Posted by DeaconFrost

I wouldn't have any worry about data loss or corruption. If the laptop boots to Windows, then it is a safe bet the memory is compatible. memory can always down clock to a lower speed, so assuming his laptop really takes DDR memory, and is capable of handling 512 MB sticks, he should be okay.

There's always a chance that memory of different brands won't play nice together, but unfortunately, there's no way to know this ahead of time. It's always best to used matched pairs, but in this case, trying it out os the only way to know.

Well, better safe than sorry as I always say

Yup, it's capable of taking it says the memory configuration page of the manufacturer.

Indeed, this happens even with same speeds and timings. We can never really tell. I guess we'll all find out soon enough

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