Solved Low RAM Frequency on Laptop - 160Mhz of 333Mhz

[GrandServer]

Hello. This is a laptop so the BIOS is as simple as it could possibly be and it has NO options whatsoever of changing timing or RAM frequency.
I am running a 1x2GB PC2-5300S 555. On CPU-Z it tells me under "memory" its frequency is 160.7ish Mhz. But when I go to the "SPD" tab it shows me the timings table for JEDEC#1,2,3 as 200Mhz, 266Mhz and 333Mhz so my RAM is running below the minimum??
I feel like the laptop is running slower than it should and the WEI gives me a low rating(3.4)
Please help me out on making my RAM running faster.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hello and welcome Grandserver I am no expert but well the fact of the matter is if you read up about DDR (double data rate) the speed printed on the sticks isn't the actual speed that it will run so for example your at 555MHz you can roughly chop that figure in half to arrive at the speed of the RAM but your RAM is a number that I have not come across before.

Have a read of this DDR2 SDRAM - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

As an after thought maybe you could run a memtest to see if the RAM is up to funny stuff plus mate I would be trying to get another 2GB in there if the budget runs to it cos the old DDR2 is usually more expensive than DDR3 now.

http://www.memtest86.com/ < the free one and you will need to make a disk for it to run.

 

[bassfisher6522]

My RAM is 800mhz rated, using CPU-Z says that the DRAM frequency is 400mhz. Then the multiplier (x 2) = 800mhz. The thing to pay attention to is the timings and voltage and match that to what your physical RAM timings and voltage is. From what you posted it looks to be with in the parameters. Heres mine.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

My RAM is 800mhz rated, using CPU-Z says that the DRAM frequency is 400mhz. Then the multiplier (x 2) = 800mhz. The thing to pay attention to is the timings and voltage and match that to what your physical RAM timings and voltage is. From what you posted it looks to be with in the parameters. Heres mine.


View attachment 239279

Yep that is what I was trying to explain Bass the memtest I thought might be worth a try if it is running so slowly though?

Just as matter of interest how old is this machine Grandserver? as I see in your specs you are running a 64bit OS.

 

[GrandServer]

Hello guys. Thanks for trying to help me out.
ICit2lol my laptop is another computer which is not the 64-bit one. The RAM has been tested out with no errors.
The PC2-5300S 555 memory is actually not 555Mhz (as I though) but 667Mhz. Sorry for my error.
It is not an unusual RAM stick. It should be running at 333Mhz since it is half of the total.

 

[GrandServer]

My RAM is 800mhz rated, using CPU-Z says that the DRAM frequency is 400mhz. Then the multiplier (x 2) = 800mhz. The thing to pay attention to is the timings and voltage and match that to what your physical RAM timings and voltage is. From what you posted it looks to be with in the parameters. Heres mine.


View attachment 239279

Hi bassfisher6522. To see the frequency being run by your RAM you have to go to the "Memory" tab to see it. The "SPD" tab is basically the specs of the RAM.

 

[bassfisher6522]

My RAM is 800mhz rated, using CPU-Z says that the DRAM frequency is 400mhz. Then the multiplier (x 2) = 800mhz. The thing to pay attention to is the timings and voltage and match that to what your physical RAM timings and voltage is. From what you posted it looks to be with in the parameters. Heres mine.


View attachment 239279

Hi bassfisher6522. To see the frequency being run by your RAM you have to go to the "Memory" tab to see it. The "SPD" tab is basically the specs of the RAM.

Yep your right....I just sniped it real quick and posted with out looking....good catch.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hum that threw e a bit I thought perhaps you were using a RAM I haven't come across before. Thats why I posted that Wiki ref - handy to keep for future reference.

Oh half of the stated speed that is why it is called DDR - double data rate you usually have two banks of chips.

 

[GrandServer]

PROBLEM SOLVED.
The problem was that my computer was being limited by my power plan - which I had changed before.
So restoring the power plan to the default settings worked.
It's much faster now. By 200%. No kidding.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

PROBLEM SOLVED.
The problem was that my computer was being limited by my power plan - which I had changed before.
So restoring the power plan to the default settings worked.
It's much faster now. By 200%. No kidding.

Great stuff Grandy just as a by the by I had a similarish scenario with my Toshiba L550 - I had to reverse the power plan is order for the screen to come up as anything approaching bright.

Still at least your online again.

If you want a bit of speed up try Brinks tutorial on optimising ( my Bible chapter 1 LOL!!)

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/11728-optimize-windows-7-a.html?filter[2]=Performance Maintenance