Ram help

[Minotar]

Theres another pc in my house using XP (family pc) and its extremly slow,so im going to get it some ram.
The thing i wanted to know was what type of ram
I know its DDR2 sdram pc2-4200u-444

What ram should i be looking for? ddr2 sdram pc??
there is another ram slot available.

thanks

 

[Qdos]

Just look up motherboard compatibility, or use the RAM finder feature on some memory sales websites (Kingston & Crucial certainly offer such interfaces...) to be sure you are shopping with the correct specifications in mind

 

[Urbwolf]

pc2-4200u-444 is some old ram, Searching for it only comes up with ebay used.

 

[jeffc]

Most RAM is backwards compatible, especially DDR2. PC2 specifies the RAM is DDR2. 4200u specifies the stick is PC4200.

Although it is a little dated, it can still be found in places such as newegg.com - See link: Newegg.com - Computer Hardware,Memory,Desktop Memory,240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM,DDR2 533 (PC2 4200)

Hope this helps.

 

[Tepid]

Always keep in mind the following....


1. RAM Compatibility is an issue ,, it is best to stick with same manufacturer if possible. Otherwise all you can do is test by trial and error. You may or may not have a problem with this. This is due to matching pairs because of DDR, the only way to take advantage of DDR is to buy in pairs, and for compatibility sake, matching pairs.

2. If you get a lower rated RAM (ie. speed [lower or higher than 4200], timings, etc.) the lower rated will win out and down clock to that speed.

3. Kingston and Crucial are good inexpensive placed to get good ram. Most people don't need the expensive RAM. Even in gaming. I have come to realize that there is not a huge enough difference between good Kingston ram and Expensive OCZ or other. Most people are fine with value ram, but you may want a bit better timings than that for certain things.

These are just my opinions.

 

[Minotar]

Thanks

 

[Orpheous]

I'd suggest you check the motherboard specs first, to see what the maximum amount and speed of RAM that it will accept is.
You can either do it the old fashioned way by taking off the side/top panel and visually inspecting it for a manufacturer and model number, or, use Belarc advisor.
Run the advisor and look under the Main Circuit Board Heading. Go to the manufacturers site and locate the model number. Sometimes this will be only available in the support section if the board's a little out dated. Either check the specifications or download the manual to find out what RAM it'll accept. look for maximum amount and maximum speed - the highest DDR speed.
If the board will take say DDR2 800, which may be listed as PC6400 RAM (800 X 8), then I'd suggest replacing the existing memory also with a matched pair of supported memory to improve on what you already have. The board will only run the RAM at the speed of the slowest memory installed.
If you find that the maximum is anything lower than PC6400, then yu may want to ask you local PC store if you can "try before you buy" a stick of DDR2 800/PC6400 RAM, and add it into the second slot. RAM is usually backwards compatible with slower speeds, so you may find that the board will run it.

 

[Qdos]

I'd be extremely careful with software verifying what hardware components you have inside the case - I've seen numerous erroneous reports, not only with Belarc, but in connection with alternatives.

No reason not to lift the lid and take the motherboard particulars down.

It gives you an excuse to spring clean any dust, and also get definitive information and check with your motherboard manufacturer that you're running the latest BIOS, as well as see which compatible memory modules their website hopefully identifies

 

[Tepid]

I'd be extremely careful with software verifying what hardware components you have inside the case - I've seen numerous erroneous reports, not only with Belarc, but in connection with alternatives.

No reason not to lift the lid and take the motherboard particulars down.

It gives you an excuse to spring clean any dust, and also get definitive information and check with your motherboard manufacturer that you're running the latest BIOS, as well as see which compatible memory modules their website hopefully identifies

I second this Post.

 

[Minotar]

I checked with belarc and double checked by looking at the motherboard (i usally have the side open on that pc because it over heats )
Its an msi pm8pmv

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Main Memory[/FONT]

• Supports two unbuffered DIMM of 1.8 Volt DDR2 SDRAM
• Supports up to 2GB memory size.
• Supports DDR2 533/400 memory interface.

Thanks for the help though

 

[jeffc]

Time to upgrade!

 

[Minotar]

Time to upgrade!

considering its using 512mb of ram i think so lol