Old Computer with Modern RAM -- is this a problem?


  1. Posts : 247
    Windows 7 Professional SP1 64 bit Retail
       #1

    Old Computer with Modern RAM -- is this a problem?


    I have an old Intel Core 2 4400 currently running with 2 GB DDR2 RAM. I also have 3 sticks of DDR3 (2G each) from my newer computer that I replaced with faster RAM. Can I install 2 sticks of the DDR3 into the Core 2?

    I'm having a hard time finding out what is the appropriate RAM to install into this old computer. The computer is on its last legs but we're trying to hold off getting a new one for as long as possible.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 4,751
    Windows 7 Home Premium 32-Bit - Build 7600 SP1
       #2

    The RAM has to be compatible with the Motherboard. Tell us what you have and we can help.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 247
    Windows 7 Professional SP1 64 bit Retail
    Thread Starter
       #3

    As best as I can find out:
    Intel Core 2 4400@2Ghz Duo
    Em64T Capable
    Intel Corporation D945GCNL AAD97184-102

    I've run Belarc and CPU-Z and this is the best I've come up with.

    Most of info I've found is way too technical for me. Can't find anything in laymans English.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 3,300
    Win7 Home Premium 64x
       #4

    from the looks of it, your board is this: http://downloadmirror.intel.com/1511...chProdSpec.pdf

    and it is only compatible with DDR2.

    Two 240-pin DDR2 SDRAM Dual Inline Memory Module (DIMM) sockets
    Support for DDR2 667 or DDR2 533 MHz DIMMs
    Support for up to 2 GB of system memory

    DDR2 and DDR3 are different specifications and are not backward or forward compatible.

    in fact. I don't think they will physically fit in the same slot: DDR2 SDRAM - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 247
    Windows 7 Professional SP1 64 bit Retail
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Thorsen,
    Thanks for that document. It told me, essentially, that we have to get a new motherboard as the max RAM is 2GB. No matter, the computer is on its last legs and perhaps this is the time to upgrade.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 504
       #6

    The design of the slot will be different in your case I suppose, so it might not even fit anyway.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 4,466
    Windows 10 Education 64 bit
       #7

    DDR3 will not fit in a DDR2 slot and vise versa. There is a notch on the edge connector that lines up with keyway in the slot.. It's in a different position for each different type of RAM, DDR1 will only fit in a DDR1 slot, DDR2 will only fit in a DDR2 slot etc. It's done that way so you don't accidentally mix things up and fry your motherboard.
      My Computer


 

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