Can my pc take more than one kind of ram?

Question

I have a d510 convertible minitower type desktop. It was originally made to take pc2100 ram. I would l like to do a memory upgrade, but the stores in my area (online purchase is not an option), do not carry this type. Will any other speed of RAM work in my computer? If so, how do you tell what will work and what won't? Below is a link to all of the technical spec's on my model.

http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/11349_div/11349_div.HTML

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you!!!

When I go out to buy ram, what should I be looking for with this computer?

Answer 1

It is best to stay within the specifications of your motherboard, and use what it recommends. Some MBs will take different kinds. The most important thing to do, regardless of what types of memory is supported, is to make sure that all of your memory has the same specifications.

Keep the speed constant. If you have PC2100, stay with PC2100.

Keep the memory timing the same. Is it CL2, CL2.5 or CL3?

Some computers benefit by having identical DIMMS in banked slots, because memory interleaving can then take place.

ECC/Non-ECC and Buffered/Unbuffered. Most MBs will only take one kind anyway, but some will take any kind, but I don't know of any that will allow you to mix and match.

Also, ordering online will usually save you a huge pile of money when ordering RAM, rather than buying at a local store.

Answer 2

The key is DDR ram.
If you use say, PC2700 DDR ram, it will likely work, but will run at the lower speed (in this case PC2100) when mixing the two speeds. Try the new stick by itself first, to be sure it will work in your unit.
If you want the higher read speed, purchase 2 of the PC2700, (or P3200 ect.) pairing it up will make it run at 2700, assuming it is compatable. If you put the ram in and you get nothing, no beep, no start up...then your computer is not compatible.
Keep in mind, it is always best to pair up your ram.
If you want to test the ram, you can download memtest 4 from downloads.com or tucows, burn it to disk, and start your computer with boot to cdrom first in your bios options. (f2 on start up for most models)
I have included a how to link below.
Teckgy


Teckguy

Answer 3

Almost sounds like my mobo, mine is a biostar thats close to 7 years old and I haveAMD 1.2ghz duron processor and my mobo can see only 1 gig of DDR 333mghz memory, But I have 2 gigs of memory. Does that help you? You can get real cheap memory at tiger.

Answer 4

Here is a reputable "guaranteed" memory provider. Look up your system at http://www.coastmemory.com This will show what your computer came with, what it takes, and hot much it can take.

Also u can check it in http://www.crucial.com

Good luck and Happy Computing!

Answer 5

that mainboard will take any type of RAM, no problem.