Will using PC 2700 RAM when motherboard says it only takes up to PC 2100 blow things up? What will happen?

Question

I have an Intel D845GRG motherboard. Old but works fine. It says that it accepts up to PC 2100. Right now I have 512MB of PC 2100, but I really want to add more RAM. If I bought a 1G of PC2700 what would happen? Could I put the 2700 in the 1st slot and the 2100 in the 2nd, thus giving me 1.5G RAM? Would they both have to be PC whatever? Would I have to buy a new motherboard in order to get nifty new RAM?

What should I do?

I did check voltages, and so the 1G stick would be fine there.

Answer 1

So, backwards compatibility, the short answer is yes in most cases PC2700 memory will work in a PC2100 slot... HOWEVER, some motherboards will not recognize it and if that's the case you can just return the memory (be sure to check return policy).

The long answer is that strictly speaking PC2700 and PC3200 are backwards compatible with each other. Also strictly speaking, in some cases (but not all) PC2100 is backwards compatible with PC2700 but never ever ever ever put PC3200 memory in a PC2100 slot, they are not backwards compatible, though, as far as I know the pins are the same, it's been a while since I worked with PC2100 memory.

However, if you want to play it safe, get PC2100 memory. I cannot guarantee that PC2700 memory will work, I also cannot with any measure of accuracy say that it won't work, you're looking at a 50/50 shot.

Here's the other thing, since the maximum speed of the slot is PC2100, you will see no performance boost, even if you did put a PC2700 module in there. The other thing is that even if the memory slots did have a speed of PC2700, you would still be limited in speed by the slowest module so the PC2700 module would operate at PC2100 speed.

I'm also afraid that DDR memory is ancient, DDR2 has taken its place so yes, if you want the newest coolest niftiest memory, you will indeed have to get a new motherboard (and processor, and graphics card, possibly a new hard drive and so on...).

Answer 2

Don't use the DDR PC 2700. Use PC 2100. If you insert the PC2700, it won't blow up, just won't restart / boot / blank screen. Better save your money to buy a new PC.

Here's link for your motherboard. Look for the DDR Memory slot. Don't see the BUS system

Answer 3

The reminiscence will paintings yet only at PC2100 speeds. I had executed that with yet another motherboard that only supported PC2700 yet I had PC3200. i substitute into already making plans for the improve previous to time. The motherboard will only know the supported speed. you may ought to alter the reminiscence modules to confirm that them to be reconized at their suitable length(1Gb). If that would not help my suggestion could be, you haven't any longer have been given the quantity you think of you have. it extremely is going to paintings reason DDR reminiscence can run slower than it extremely is suggested speed, only no longer speedier. it gets shrink back to the PC2100 speed. additionally the RAM you jjust bought could be DOA(ineffective on arrival), relies upon on the place you acquire it from and the certainly producer. some producers are surprisingly crappy, continually by utilising stable nicely named reminiscence. might pay a sprint extra yet worth it. i myself have a feeling which you have a bad reminiscence module, deliver it back and get yet another or get you a reimbursement. supply info of your MB and that i'll verify for you and then e mail you the documents?!?!

Answer 4

RAM is a touchy one. Some motherboards with read the newer, larger memory, but not all of it, ie you have 1024MB but it only reads 512MB. Other times it will operate at a slower speed ie its a 400MHz stick but it will only operate at 300MHz. And a lot of the time not work at all. Your best option is to buy only RAM that has been outlined in your motherboard user manual.

Answer 5

if it's not supported by the motherboard, it won't work. you will want to get ddr266 ram.

Answer 6

Computer won't recognize it.