RAM Question For the Computer Wizzes

[Rocky]

i originally had 192 mb (128 + 64) of PC-100 SDRAM in my machine. my bus speed is 100mhz. my friend gave me 128 mb sdram PC-133. i installed it in my computer.

should there be a problem with the discrepency in the type of ram (100/133)? is it ok to install PC-133 in my machine with a bus speed of 100mhz?

i've noticed that since i put the PC-133 module in, my system has been running a little strangely.

 

[air-bag]

it should run fine at 100 MHz.
I doubt your problems come from that.

 

[Stan]

PC 133 RAM will run at PC 100 with no problems. However, the RAM chip may be corrupted, or it may not have been inserted correctly. Try re-inserting it, or changing the order of the slots.

And make sure you've inserted it in properly before turning on your PC. I've once had a RAM chip burn out on me because I didn't put it in properly.

 

[JEMZ]

The PC 133 should automatically clock down.

However, there are instances where the motherboard may not have the ability to do this. I can't remember what it is called, but it does happen sometimes.

I side wityh Stan et al though, there should be no problem running the pc-133 chip, it is just too bad you can't utilize it.

 

[air-bag]

clock down?

the chip doesnt DO anything... its just that only 3/4 of the potential clock ticks that it can handle are utilized.

 

[PosTMOd]

It's the same way with CPUs as with RAM.

If it doesn't pass the higher spec, it gets labelled as a lower one, which is why you can almost always run a CPU one bin higher than it is labelled (if you can unlock it, or use a higher bus speed with the locked multiplier).

You can run 100MHz RAM at 133, but it probably wouldn't be too stable most times.

 

[Rocky]

i'm pretty sure that i installed it correctly. when i rebooted, i was able to see my system count the available amount of RAM in my system. it did count to the correct amount. does this mean that the RAM is working...or does it just mean that it has been detected?

 

[PosTMOd]

Go back to your original setup, i.e. pull out the new RAM, and run the computer for a few days and see if there is a difference.