Question about RAM timings

[saroy94]

Hi,

I'm thinking of gettin a 2GB kit of RAM, but I am not sure whether it will work along with my current 1GB RAM installed, as I don't know whether the timings will match.

Could someone help me please?

This is the RAM I want, with 5-5-5-15 timings Kingston 2GB (1x2GB) DDR2 PC2-5300C5 667MHz Single Channel Memory Module [KVR667D2N5/2G] Memory DDR2 - PC2-5300

This is a screenshot of the timings for my current RAM, but I don't know which one to look at

 

[richc46]

Ram has to match perfectly, especially with frequency. Most buy all, at one time, and discard the old.

 

[Fumz]

Hi,

I'm thinking of gettin a 2GB kit of RAM, but I am not sure whether it will work along with my current 1GB RAM installed, as I don't know whether the timings will match.

Could someone help me please?

This is the RAM I want, with 5-5-5-15 timings Kingston 2GB (1x2GB) DDR2 PC2-5300C5 667MHz Single Channel Memory Module [KVR667D2N5/2G] Memory DDR2 - PC2-5300

This is a screenshot of the timings for my current RAM, but I don't know which one to look at

You're looking at the wrong page. Click the memory tab in cpu-z; that will give you the current kit's timings and voltage. The SPD tab, which we're looking at, only gives you other rated speeds and timings the RAM is capable of... given a certain voltage.

 

[saroy94]

Alright, when I go back on my computer, I'll post another svreenshot.

@ richc46, i was advised to do that, but I want to keep it so I can have 3GB RAM, as I do have a budget

 

[richc46]

This why this is a great forum. You get the advice of many people and you make the choice. There is no right of wrong, you must do what is best for yourself. I do wish you good luck. Dont forget to tell us how things work out when you get the ram

 

[saroy94]

Thanks maan

This is a screenshot of the memory tab:

 

[Fumz]

Thanks maan

This is a screenshot of the memory tab:

Ok, now one of your questions is answered: "whether the timings will match?"

 

[Petey7]

It looks like everything matches to me, but when it comes to RAM you never know for sure until you try it out. It might work perfectly, or it might not. Either way the jump from 1GB to 2 or 3 is well worth it in my opinion.

 

[Wishmaster]

I agree with Rich. Best not to mix and match.

TBH, you may be better of getting that 2GB set, and installing it. But do away with the 1 you have now.

The reason I say this, youll be in dual channel mode which is more effecient than single.

I think, if you add the 3rd, it may well drop back to a single channel.

You also won't be mixing and matching

ALL the RAM will default to the slowest settings of the bunch.
(there many more sub timings besides the 4 main ones)

But, if the main 4 timings match, and the voltage is the same, it should work. I just wouldn't advise it as the possiblity of problems are higher.

 

[saroy94]

Well I am definately goin to get that kit, so yeah i'll install them along with the 1GB installed already.

So apart from the kit being dual channel, they do match right?

 

[Phone Man]

Should work Ok as they do match. The confusion comes about with the freq setting. The new ram is advertised as 667mhz and your old ram shows freq of 333.4mhz. Looks like a mismatch but in reality they are the same. DDR means Double Data Rate which means the ram does double the work on each cycle. It runs at 333.4mhz but it performs like it was running at 667mhz and the chip makers like to use the faster number for marketing reasons. 667 just sounds better than 333.

Jim

 

[saroy94]

Alright thanks guys

 

[bobkn]

A suggestion:

If adding the new RAM doesn't work properly, try setting the RAM timings and voltages manually in the BIOS settings. That may permit the chips to play together.

 

[saroy94]

A suggestion:

If adding the new RAM doesn't work properly, try setting the RAM timings and voltages manually in the BIOS settings. That may permit the chips to play together.

I've already checked to see if I can do that, but there is no option for it

 

[bobkn]

I've already checked to see if I can do that, but there is no option for it

I hoped that you were mistaken, but I don't find any information about BIOS settinsg at www.hp.com. Dratted appliance PCs!

 

[saroy94]

That's why I want a new MB, because mine is just useless I don't have the money though, as I've just got enough to buy a 4870 from ebay

 

[RBIEZE]

It should work, but you may have to manually set the timings and voltage in the Bios.

Its always best to keep all ram identical, but even different speed, latency, and voltage ram can be used together, if defined properly in the bios.

But no matter what ,since you aren't running identical make/model ram, there is no guarantee.
And any advice given is just an educated guess...

 

[sygnus21]

I agree with Rich. Best not to mix and match.

TBH, you may be better of getting that 2GB set, and installing it. But do away with the 1 you have now.

The reason I say this, youll be in dual channel mode which is more effecient than single.

I think, if you add the 3rd, it may well drop back to a single channel.

You also won't be mixing and matching

ALL the RAM will default to the slowest settings of the bunch.
(there many more sub timings besides the 4 main ones)

But, if the main 4 timings match, and the voltage is the same, it should work. I just wouldn't advise it as the possiblity of problems are higher.

This is sound advice. Having 3gig of mismatched RAM installed WILL give worse performance than having 2gig of matched RAM.

And if you don't have access to the BIOS settings, you'd be well off with a matched pair of RAM sticks!!!

And as pointed out abouve, you also need to insure the voltages match.

Good luck.

 

[saroy94]

I've just ordered the kit so I probably am going to just install them two and kick the other one out xD it should work fine as soon as i replace it right?

 

[sygnus21]

Well... if it's compatible with the motherboard, yes.

Good luck