RAM comparison

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fundanglr

170 posts

Master Geek

#139041 25-Jan-2014 18:22

can someone tell me if these are the same

http://www.ebay.com/itm/151193077677?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

this is my ram:

Type DDR2
Size 4096 MBytes
Channels # Dual
DRAM Frequency 399.5 MHz
CAS# Latency (CL) 5 clocks
RAS# to CAS# Delay (tRCD) 5 clocks
RAS# Precharge (tRP) 5 clocks
Cycle Time (tRAS) 18 clocks
Command Rate (CR) 2T

not knowing what it all means, i just need to know if it will be 100% compatible

tukapa1

725 posts

Ultimate Geek

#974477 26-Jan-2014 09:11

The only thing that appears the same is that it is DDR2.

Your current ram appears to be DDR2 PC3200 400Mhz.

It may or may not work. If you are wanting more ram to go in your current machine you would be best telling us which motherboard you have.

fundanglr

170 posts

Master Geek

#974485 26-Jan-2014 09:47

Motherboard
   Manufacturer   ASUSTeK Computer INC.
   Model   P5K SE/EPU (LGA775)
   Chipset Vendor   Intel
   Chipset Model   P35/G33/G31


Chipset Revision   A2
   Southbridge Vendor   Intel
   Southbridge Model   82801IB (ICH9)
   Southbridge Revision   02
   System Temperature   33 °C
       BIOS
           Brand   American Megatrends Inc.
           Version   0501
           Date   20/10/2008
       Voltage
           CPU CORE   1.160 V
           MEMORY CONTROLLER   1.736 V
           +3.3V   3.264 V
           +5V   4.896 V
           +12V   9.423 V
           VIN5   1.688 V
           VIN6   1.344 V
       PCI Data
               Slot PCI-E
                   Slot Type   PCI-E
                   Slot Usage   Available
                   Bus Width   32 bit
                   Slot Designation   PCIEX16_1
                   Slot Number   0
               Slot PCI
                   Slot Type   PCI
                   Slot Usage   Available

im gathering ill have to replace all the ram , as my 400mhz is to slow :-( thinking i may have to buy 4 sticks from the above aution on ebay?

fundanglr

170 posts

Master Geek

#974486 26-Jan-2014 09:50

other thing i may ask on this if someone has 8 gig lying around they want to sell? i can get 4 sticks shipped from that auction for 39 dollars , but would prefer to have it quicker

sidefx

3711 posts

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#974489 26-Jan-2014 09:59

fundanglr:
im gathering ill have to replace all the ram , as my 400mhz is to slow :-( thinking i may have to buy 4 sticks from the above aution on ebay?

What do you mean by "my 400mhz is to slow"?

What OS are you running and is it 64 bit?

Do you have a model number on the original sticks. Or have you opened your machine and look at the label on the side of them? They may be DDR2-800\PC6400 (which operates at a bus rate of 400MHz - which may be the figure you're quoting in original post) IIIRC PC3200 generally had lower timings...

"I was born not knowing and have had only a little time to change that here and there." | Octopus Energy | Sharesies
- Richard Feynman

yitz

2074 posts

Uber Geek

#974497 26-Jan-2014 10:14

Those DIMMs are only compatible with the memory controllers on AMD chipsets as stated in the auction and you have an Intel chipset... so don't buy that as it won't work.

I got four sticks of 2GB DDR2-800 off Trademe for around $50 a few weeks ago.

fundanglr

170 posts

Master Geek

#974500 26-Jan-2014 10:16

sorry i meant DRAM freq is 400 mhz

4 x DIMM, Max. 8 GB, DDR2 1200/1066/800/667 Non-ECC,Un-buffered Memory

is what the motherboard requires (copied from the MB manufacturer site )

https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P5K_SEEPU/#specifications

fundanglr

170 posts

Master Geek

#974501 26-Jan-2014 10:18

yitz: Those DIMMs are only compatible with the memory controllers on AMD chipsets as stated in the auction and you have an Intel chipset... so don't buy that as it won't work.

I got four sticks of 2GB DDR2-800 off Trademe for around $50 a few weeks ago.

thanks for that, i actually thought it would work - so hard finding the correct ram!

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sidefx

3711 posts

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#974515 26-Jan-2014 10:41

Hmm, I think that ebay seller is being overly cautious with that disclaimer and that ram should be fine on your mobo... (If it were me I'd buy locally though)

"I was born not knowing and have had only a little time to change that here and there." | Octopus Energy | Sharesies
- Richard Feynman

Batman

Mad Scientist
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#974519 26-Jan-2014 10:45

RAM does not care if you use AMD or Intel, as long as the mobo supports your RAM's "MHz"

gzt

17104 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#974565 26-Jan-2014 11:59

Joker, I have to tell you chances are you will get lucky but there can be more to it than MHZ. The motherboard manual for the correct board revision you have is the best place to start.

Here we have existing RAM:

Type DDR2
Size 4096 MBytes
Channels # Dual
DRAM Frequency 399.5 MHz
CAS# Latency (CL) 5 clocks
RAS# to CAS# Delay (tRCD) 5 clocks
RAS# Precharge (tRP) 5 clocks
Cycle Time (tRAS) 18 clocks
Command Rate (CR) 2T

This is usually described as:

DDR2-800D and/or PC2-6400 5-5-5.

Technical explanation: Clock speed is 400MHZ + DDR2 (double data rate) giving an actual data rate of 800. I'm pretty sure the PC2-3200 stated earlier is incorrect. Maybe that poster would like to review the link above.

Note: In practice I've almost never seen the D added on the end. DDR2-800D. The usual practice is naming DDR2-800 and then you have to ask for or find the timings specifically.

gzt

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#974569 26-Jan-2014 12:21

Adding link to manual for interest: https://www.asus.com/support/Manual/1/22/P5K_SEEPU/

gzt

17104 posts

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#974587 26-Jan-2014 12:45

There is also RAM voltage. 2.2, 1.8, 1.5 etc. That is not specified above, but it can be found by looking up the manufacturers RAM part number.

In general you can often get away with mixing. Bios will usually adjust to the optimum settings and run things at the speed of the slowest timed&speed ram in the set. The problem with mixing ram is some bios can sometimes be confused and you have to set it up manually. I experienced some really annoying issues years ago with incorrectly matched ram that actually should have worked together but really caused serious problems. Since then I've been more cautious than most in buying.

tukapa1

725 posts

Ultimate Geek

#974618 26-Jan-2014 13:48

gzt: Technical explanation: Clock speed is 400MHZ + DDR2 (double data rate) giving an actual data rate of 800. I'm pretty sure the PC2-3200 stated earlier is incorrect. Maybe that poster would like to review the link above.

Yeah - my bad, teach me for not reading the post properly.

I doubt the OP would notice much differnece (if any) by upgrading all their ram from DDR2 800 to DDR2 1200, and presuming they are running 2 x 2GB at the moment then it would be best just to find another 2 x 2GB.

I would also prefer to buy locally - keep an eye on TradeMe otherwise you're looking at least $43 per DIMM.

Batman

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#974640 26-Jan-2014 15:15

gzt: Joker, I have to tell you chances are you will get lucky but there can be more to it than MHZ. The motherboard manual for the correct board revision you have is the best place to start.

Here we have existing RAM:

Type DDR2
Size 4096 MBytes
Channels # Dual
DRAM Frequency 399.5 MHz
CAS# Latency (CL) 5 clocks
RAS# to CAS# Delay (tRCD) 5 clocks
RAS# Precharge (tRP) 5 clocks
Cycle Time (tRAS) 18 clocks
Command Rate (CR) 2T

This is usually described as:

DDR2-800D and/or PC2-6400 5-5-5.

Technical explanation: Clock speed is 400MHZ + DDR2 (double data rate) giving an actual data rate of 800. I'm pretty sure the PC2-3200 stated earlier is incorrect. Maybe that poster would like to review the link above.

Note: In practice I've almost never seen the D added on the end. DDR2-800D. The usual practice is naming DDR2-800 and then you have to ask for or find the timings specifically.

it still doesn't care whether you have an AMD or an Intel.

if your mobo takes PC6400 ram, a PC6400 ram wherever it comes from will work won't it? there is usually a range of speeds the mobo will accept. of course it won't be as smooth as if you had everything match to perfection, but who cares about a 5 year old RAM in this regard!