04-08-2003, 09:50 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 225
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RAM: PC100/PC133?
Okay, so I'm just too lazy to go surf and find the answer to my question, and since people using these forums are quite knowledgable and willing to help, I figured this is a good place to ask.
Anyway, I am running an old desktop at home, just a PIII 450. The home-built machine is almost 3 years old and still running fine, but I wanted to add some RAM to it. I am currently using PC100 SDRAM and wanted to know if I would be able to add in PC133 SDRAM.
Any help here would be appreciated. Thanks!
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“He is no fool who gives that which he cannot keep for that which He cannot lose.” –Jim Elliott
Sony CLIE PEG-S300 + 8 MB MemoryStick --> Dell Axim X5 400 MHz + IBM 340MB MicroDrive + Viking 512MB CF + SanDisk 1GB CF
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04-08-2003, 11:42 AM
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Thinker
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 441
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Likely not, PC133 ram is installable on many older motherboards, but, if the motherboard is unable to take advantage of the slight higher speed, the PC133 ram will only be used by the motherboard as if it were just PC100.
Edward
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04-08-2003, 11:57 AM
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Sage
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 692
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If you could tell us what motherboard it is that you're using, we could help you determine that.  |
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04-08-2003, 12:37 PM
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Philosopher
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 589
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You also need to consider the CPU rate... is it able to handle 133Mhz? If not, the RAM will go at 100Mhz...
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04-08-2003, 01:52 PM
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Contributing Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 14,938
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In other words, there's a 99.99% chance PC133 memory will work just fine in your machine, but it will definitely not be "faster" than PC100 memory (except for the fact that you'll have more memory, of course) -- the PIII/450 uses a 100MHz FSB.
Since PC100 memory is effectively deprecated nowadays, getting PC133 would probably be the route to go. The real important thing is to make sure your mainboard can handle the capacity you want to add. A lot of older PIII mainboards have trouble with 512MB SDRAM DIMMs, and a few had trouble with 256MB.
--janak |
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04-09-2003, 03:56 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 225
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Thanks for everyone's help here. Just as an FYI, I am using an Asus P3B-F motherboard. I've been looking for PC100 memory but no one really carries it anymore, especially not past the 128MB size.
If I understand this correctly, it is that I can use/mix PC100 and PC133 memory without any problems. Sure, I won't get the PC133 performance, but all I am looking for is just more memory at this point. Frankly, I'm surprised that my computer has lasted me this long, although I am itching to jump in on one of those Dell Desktop or Server deals.
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“He is no fool who gives that which he cannot keep for that which He cannot lose.” –Jim Elliott
Sony CLIE PEG-S300 + 8 MB MemoryStick --> Dell Axim X5 400 MHz + IBM 340MB MicroDrive + Viking 512MB CF + SanDisk 1GB CF
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05-01-2003, 08:48 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 225
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DOH! I was going to pick up the PNY 256MB SDRAM PC133 (Sku=457395) from Staples and I saw the following "disclaimer":
Please Note PC133 memory modules are no longer compatible with PC100 machines.
PNY 256MB SDRAM PC133
Are there now even different types of PC133 SDRAM? Help!!!
__________________
“He is no fool who gives that which he cannot keep for that which He cannot lose.” –Jim Elliott
Sony CLIE PEG-S300 + 8 MB MemoryStick --> Dell Axim X5 400 MHz + IBM 340MB MicroDrive + Viking 512MB CF + SanDisk 1GB CF
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05-01-2003, 09:32 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 371
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by etalianstallion
Please Note PC133 memory modules are no longer compatible with PC100 machines.
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Now, that sounds just plain stupid. The implication is that at one point in time they were compatible. What happened to them that made them all of a sudden incompatible? Did the Staples Sourcerer wave his wand one day and make it so? |
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05-01-2003, 09:37 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 371
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Hey, man - you can get up to 256Mb DIMMs through Crucial. Check here. |
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05-02-2003, 04:50 PM
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Contributing Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 14,938
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by trachy
Quote:
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Originally Posted by etalianstallion
Please Note PC133 memory modules are no longer compatible with PC100 machines.
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Now, that sounds just plain stupid. The implication is that at one point in time they were compatible. What happened to them that made them all of a sudden incompatible? Did the Staples Sourcerer wave his wand one day and make it so? |
Yeah, this is just plain weird. PC133 primarily defines stricter timings so the memory can operate faster, and I don't quite see how it wouldn't work in a PC100 mainboard... is it cheaper to build RAM that can't run slower!? That said, Crucial memory is very good, so I'd consider going with that anyway.
--janak |
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