I want to upgrade my PC's memory from 512 mb to 1gb. I currently have a DDR2 PC2-5100 512mb stick. Why are there different ones eg PC3200, PC5300. Whats the difference? If i got 2 512mb sticks and add them to the motherboard with my current one, would my total memory be 1536mb?
2006-12-26 04:24:29 · 7 answers · asked by ? 4 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Add-ons
The best thing to do is go to a memory supplier's website and use their "configurator". Just give your computer specifics and it'll tell you exactly how much memory your computer will support, if the sticks have to be in like pairs, if you can mix different RAM values, if so into which slot does the larger stick have to go, etc. Once you know what your computer can use, you can shop around for the best prices.
This website has some good prices, a good FAQ section, and great customer support.
http://www.kahlon.com/
plrr
2006-12-26 06:43:41 · answer #1 · answered by Angry C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The numbers after the PC represent the theoretical transfer speed of data to and from the memory module. For example, PC3200, means 3200 bytes per second of data transfer. The higher the number, the better. But be warned, some memory is overclocked by the manufacturer, so they sell cheap quality RAM for higher price. Aways divide the number after PC by 8 (to get the actually MHz of the RAM), and if you get a whole number (without a remainder or fraction), then you've got good RAM. If like the PC5300, which divided by 8 gives you 662.5, means it has been overclocked.
2006-12-26 12:36:19 · answer #2 · answered by moodrojam 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The different speeds relate to the rated front-side bus of the memory (the speed at which the memory talks to the northbridge and the CPU).
The difference between PC3200 and PC5300 is that PC3200 is DDR-1 rated at 400Mhz FSB and PC5300 is rated at 667MHz, usually DDR-2. DDR-1 modules and DDR-2 modules keyed differently and are therefore not cross-compatable.
1024MB + 512MB=1536MB, yes.
2006-12-26 12:33:39 · answer #3 · answered by kingsize566 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It would be cheaper to buy 1gig DDR PC2-5100 chip than 2 x 512mb as you can mix sizes of chips but not the speeds they run at. I have a 1gig and 2 x 256MB in mine and have had no problems at all.
2006-12-26 12:33:14 · answer #4 · answered by Startrekforever 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i recomend u to buy the same type rams like PC2-5100
and add it cos some times its not working on some pc when they r haveing differnet rams.
it says that there is more ram but it uses only one of them
so by the same model as u have and it will work properly,.
2006-12-26 13:05:13 · answer #5 · answered by No_Ki 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Simple really, to avoid the complex maths just take your machine on line to www.crucial.com for a free test and recommendations as to what RAM you should go for.
2006-12-26 12:47:48 · answer #6 · answered by champer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To answer the first question: the chip names just differ in order to show that there really is a difference in the motherboard structure. The second question: you need to work on your math, it equals 1,024 mb
2006-12-26 12:28:14 · answer #7 · answered by ConRay 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋