If my RAM is DDR3 can I ONLY upgrade to DDR3?

[lister]

I think the answer to that is yes....right? In fact it is DDR3 Unbuffered ECC Memory - so that is the exact type that I must upgrade right? Thanks

 

[Britton30]

Correct, only DDR3 RAM can be used, any other type won't fit the slots anyway. If you have ECC ram now, you may be able to use non-ECC.

 

[Dwarf]

A motherboard will only support one type of RAM, and for the newer ones this is DDR3.

 

[ibshaw]

Generally speaking, memory types are mechanically keyed so that, in theory, you cannot use the wrong ones - but don't take that as gospel.... always check exactly what type you need to upgrade.

 

[lister]

Generally speaking, memory types are mechanically keyed so that, in theory, you cannot use the wrong ones - but don't take that as gospel.... always check exactly what type you need to upgrade.

You mean the little groove at the base of the slot, i.e. the thin slot - some of the RAM types are one third from the left, others are half way etc.

 

[AddRAM]

DDR DDR2 DDR3 the slots are all different. Get the fastest memory your board supports.

 

[Britton30]

Correct, only DDR3 RAM can be used, any other type won't fit the slots anyway. If you have ECC ram now, you may be able to use non-ECC.

A motherboard will only support one type of RAM, and for the newer ones this is DDR3.

Generally speaking, memory types are mechanically keyed so that, in theory, you cannot use the wrong ones - but don't take that as gospel.... always check exactly what type you need to upgrade.

Generally speaking, memory types are mechanically keyed so that, in theory, you cannot use the wrong ones - but don't take that as gospel.... always check exactly what type you need to upgrade.

You mean the little groove at the base of the slot, i.e. the thin slot - some of the RAM types are one third from the left, others are half way etc.

That's what we all are saying.

 

[lister]

Got it. Just want to be sure. Im watching the RAM on ebay that ends in a few hours so just wanted to be sure. Thanks

 

[Britton30]

OK< get that instant bid ready.

 

[lister]

Yeah, it keeps going up. Im doing the sniper strategy at the end. Whats interesting is how much this is going up. Looks like 4 x 2G RAM Slots are going to be sold for $45 - seems high or is that cheap? This RAM I am buying could easily be like 4/ 5 years old....?

 

[krazyheaven]

Yeah, it keeps going up. Im doing the sniper strategy at the end. Whats interesting is how much this is going up. Looks like 4 x 2G RAM Slots are going to be sold for $45 - seems high or is that cheap? This RAM I am buying could easily be like 4/ 5 years old....?

Doesn't sound like a great deal. Post a link.

 

[AddRAM]

http://www.tigerdirect.com/

 

[Wrenches]

Play it safe and get the Corsair Vengeance mems. It's the same price at Newegg (give or take a dollar) as Ebay. Also get the faster ones than what you are running for stoutness (1333 on 1600 for example).

 

[bobkn]

I think the answer to that is yes....right? In fact it is DDR3 Unbuffered ECC Memory - so that is the exact type that I must upgrade right? Thanks

Assuming that the RAM is for the laptop in your specs, the RAM is 204 pin NON-ECC DDR3 SODIMMs. (Your i5-560M vPro CPU doesn't support ECC, even if ECC SODIMMs exist. I've never seen any.)

Desktop RAM (240 pin DDR3) won't do much for you.