# A couple of questions about RAM. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 28, 2004, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-questions-about-ram/261943 "2004-08-28T12:41:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Muad\_Dib](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/35a633/32.png) [@Muad\_Dib](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muad_Dib)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2004, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-questions-about-ram/261943/1 "2004-08-28T12:41:01Z")
I am embarrassed to ask this, but I fear I have wallowed in my ignorance for too long. My father wants to upgrade his two computers and I told him that the best place to start would be the RAM; as he is using XP and only has 256 MB on both. One computer uses RDRAM and the other uses DDR. What I want to know is: 1. How can I find out what the speed of the RAM is in both computers. 2. How can I find out what the max speed of RAM these two computers are capable of taking advantage of. 3. Opals view on the situation. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Lao](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2bfe46/32.png) [@Dr.Lao](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Lao)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2004, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-questions-about-ram/261943/2 "2004-08-28T12:52:36Z")
The manual that came with each computer would be a good place to start. Mine came with a special section on ugrades which describes the types of ram it can take and how to install new ones. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2004, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-questions-about-ram/261943/3 "2004-08-28T13:20:12Z")
If you don’t have the manual, putting the make and model of the motherboard (printed on it somewhere) in Google will hopefully provide an online version. ---
**Author:** ![Myglaren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@Myglaren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myglaren)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2004, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-questions-about-ram/261943/4 "2004-08-28T13:34:30Z")
Motherboard manual is the first and best option. Motherboard info is usually flashed up at boot time, prior to POST. Alternatively, download **Belarc Advisor** which will give you the details of your motherboard but not the speed of installed memory, then go to the motherboards manufacturer’s site for specs, as advised above by **GorillaMan** http://www.belarc.com/free\_download.html ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Badger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/848f3c/32.png) [@Dead\_Badger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Badger)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2004, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-questions-about-ram/261943/5 "2004-08-28T13:47:54Z")
For number 1, if no manual is available then a handy (free) utility is SiSoft’s [Sandra](http://www.sisoftware.net/index.html?dir=dload&location=sware_dl_x86&langx=en&a=). Tells you far more than you needed to know about the hardware you’re running. The memory info is found in the “Mainboard Information” module; it should tell you the make, model and even serial number of what’s installed. Personally I’d advise against going for faster memory as well as more; what’s installed is almost certainly matched to the processor/motherboard in terms of the bus speed it runs at, so buying faster stuff will probably be a waste of money. Doubling up to 512MB will make a huge difference though, you’re bang on there. ---
**Author:** ![Muad\_Dib](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/35a633/32.png) [@Muad\_Dib](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muad_Dib)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2004, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-questions-about-ram/261943/6 "2004-08-28T15:23:13Z")
Would it be too much to ask for me to paste the info from _Sandra_ and have one of you explain it too me? Please? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Badger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/848f3c/32.png) [@Dead\_Badger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Badger)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2004, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-questions-about-ram/261943/7 "2004-08-28T15:29:27Z")
> [@Muad'Dib](#): > > Would it be too much to ask for me to paste the info from _Sandra_ and have one of you explain it too me? Sure. The module type is listed about two thirds of the way down the “mainboard information” page on my machine, in a subsection called “memory modules”. It’ll probably help if you let us know the mainboard manufacturer and model as well… ---
**Author:** ![Muad\_Dib](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/35a633/32.png) [@Muad\_Dib](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muad_Dib)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2004, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-questions-about-ram/261943/8 "2004-08-28T15:44:52Z")
It will be big and ugly, but I will just paste the whole thing for both of them. This is the info for the main computer with the DDR ram that I built for him a year or two ago: SiSoftware Sandra System Manufacturer : MSI Model : MS-6712 Version : 1.0 Serial Number : 00000000 ID : 00000000-00000000-00000000-00000000 System Chassis Manufacturer : Uknown Chassis Manufacture Type : Desktop Can be locked : No Version : Version 1.00 Serial Number : 123456890 Asset Tag : 0123ABC Mainboard Manufacturer : MSI MP Support : 1 CPU(s) MPS Version : 1.40 Model : MS-6712 Version : 1.0 Serial Number : 00000000 System BIOS : 62-1226-009999-00101111-040201-VIA Memory Controller Error Detection Method : ECC Error Correction Capability : 1-bit Supported/Current Memory Interleave : 1-way / 1-way Number of Memory Slots : 3 Maximum Installable Memory : 3072MB Maximum Module Size : 1024MB Supported STD/FPM/(B)EDO Speeds : 70ns, 60ns Supported Memory Types : STD, FPM, EDO, Parity, ECC, SIMM Supported Memory Voltages : +3.3V Physical/BIOS Memory Banks DIMM1 (RASL-1 RASL-0) : 512MB DIMM SDRAM double-bank DIMM2 : Empty DIMM3 : Empty Chipset 1 Model : VIA Technologies Inc VT8377 Apollo KT400/A/600 CPU to PCI Bridge Bus(es) : ISA AGP PCI IMB USB FireWire/1394 i2c/SMBus Front Side Bus Speed : 2x 135MHz (270MHz data rate) Maximum FSB Speed / Max Memory Speed : 2x 166MHz / 2x 200MHz Width : 64-bit IO Queue Depth : 4 request(s) Chipset 1 Hub Interface Type : V-Link Width : 8-bit Full Duplex : Yes Multiplier : 1/1x Speed : 8x 66MHz (528MHz data rate) IO Queue Depth : 9 request(s) Logical/Chipset 1 Memory Banks Bank 0 : 256MB DDR-SDRAM 2.5-3-3-7CL 2CMD Bank 1 : 256MB DDR-SDRAM 2.5-3-3-7CL 2CMD Bank Interleave : 4-way Speed : 2x 168MHz (336MHz data rate) Multiplier : 5/4x Width : 64-bit Power Save Mode : No Fixed Hole Present : No APIC 1 Version : 0.03 Speed : 16MHz Multiplier : 1/2x Maximum Interrupts : 24 IRQ Handler Engaged : Yes Enhanced Support : Yes Memory Module(s) Memory Module 1 : 512MB 16x(32Mx8) DDR-SDRAM PC2700U-2533-700 (CL2.5 up to 167MHz) (CL2 up to 133MHz) Environment Monitor 1 Model : Winbond W83697(T)HF ISA Version : 6.00 Mainboard Specific Support : No Temperature Sensor(s) Board Temperature : 41.0°C / 105.8°F CPU Temperature : 59.5°C / 139.1°F Cooling Device(s) Auto Fan Speed Control : No CPU Fan Speed : 3689rpm Voltage Sensor(s) CPU Voltage : 1.76V +3.3V Voltage : 3.28V +5V Voltage : 4.97V +12V Voltage : 12.34V -12V Voltage : -12.28V -5V Voltage : -5.50V Standby Voltage : 4.97V Battery Voltage : 3.42V AGP Bus(es) on Hub 1 Version : 2.00 Speed : 4x 66MHz (264MHz data rate) Multiplier : 1/2x Fast-Writes Enabled : No Fast-Writes Support : Yes Side Band Enabled : No Side Band Support : Yes Aperture Size : 128MB PCI Bus(es) on Hub 1 Version : 2.10 Number of Bridges : 1 PCI Bus 0 : PCI (33MHz) Multiplier : 1/4x LPC Hub Controller 1 Model : VIA Technologies Inc VT8235 PCI to ISA Bridge ACPI Power Management Enabled : Yes Multiplier : 1/4x Speed : 8MHz DMA Multiplier : 1/2x DMA Speed : 4MHz USB Controller 1 Model : Micro-Star International Co Ltd (MSI) VT82xxxxx UHCI USB 1.1 Controller (All VIA Chipsets) Version : 1.10 Interface : UHCI Channels : 2 Speed : 48MHz Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full (12Mbps) Legacy Emulation Enabled : No USB Controller 2 Model : Micro-Star International Co Ltd (MSI) VT82xxxxx UHCI USB 1.1 Controller (All VIA Chipsets) Version : 1.10 Interface : UHCI Channels : 2 Speed : 48MHz Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full (12Mbps) Legacy Emulation Enabled : No USB Controller 3 Model : Micro-Star International Co Ltd (MSI) VT82xxxxx UHCI USB 1.1 Controller (All VIA Chipsets) Version : 1.10 Interface : UHCI Channels : 2 Speed : 48MHz Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full (12Mbps) Legacy Emulation Enabled : No USB Controller 4 Model : Micro-Star International Co Ltd (MSI) VT6202 USB 2.0 Enhanced Host Controller Version : 2.00 Specification : 1.00 Interface : EHCI Channels : 6 Companion Controllers : 3 Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full (12Mbps) High (480Mbps) Addressing Support : 32-bit Legacy Emulation Enabled : No FireWire/1394 Controller 1 Model : Creative Labs Audigy 2 Firewire Controller Version : 1.10 Interface : OHCI Enhanced Support : No Channels : 64 Speed : 400MHz System SMBus Controller 1 Model : VIA VT823x SMBus Advanced TCO Mode Enabled : No Slave Device Enabled : No PEC Support : No Speed : 16kHz Expansion Slot(s) PCI1 (1h) : PCI 32-bit +3.3V Shared PME Full-Length Available (VIA Technologies Inc ProSavageDDR P4X333 CPU to AGP 2.0/3.0 Bridge) PCI2 (2h) : PCI 32-bit +3.3V Shared PME Full-Length Available PCI3 (3h) : PCI 32-bit +3.3V Shared PME Full-Length Used PCI4 (4h) : PCI 32-bit +3.3V Shared PME Full-Length Available PCI5 (5h) : PCI 32-bit +3.3V Shared PME Full-Length Available PCI6 (5h) : PCI 32-bit +3.3V Shared PME Full-Length Available Port Connector USB - Def : SSA SCSI - Mini Centronics / DB-25 pin male Performance Tips Notice 224 : SMBIOS/DMI information may be inaccurate. Tip 2511 : Some memory slots are free so the memory can be easily upgraded. Warning 100 : Large memory sizes should be made of Registered/Buffered memory. Tip 2546 : Large memory modules should be ECC/Parity. Tip 2 : Double-click tip or press Enter while a tip is selected for more information about the tip. ---
**Author:** ![Muad\_Dib](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/35a633/32.png) [@Muad\_Dib](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muad_Dib)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2004, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-questions-about-ram/261943/9 "2004-08-28T15:49:26Z")
Here is the info for the second, _Gateway_, computer with RDRAM. SiSoftware Sandra System Manufacturer : Gateway Model : MONTEREY Version : 4000762 Serial Number : 0028111909 ID : A8713D80-11B21DE3-55E20080-077C6ACC System Chassis Manufacturer : Gateway Type : Desktop Can be locked : No Version : SFD01B06 Serial Number : 0028111909 Mainboard Manufacturer : Intel Corporation MP Support : No Model : D850GB Version : AAA49507-904 Serial Number : IMGB15005084 System BIOS : 51-2300-000000-00101111-030199- System Memory Controller Location : Mainboard Error Correction Capability : ECC Number of Memory Slots : 4 Maximum Installable Memory : 2GB RIMM1 - J7J1 : RIMM RAMBUS 128MB/16 @ 400Mt/s RIMM2 - J7J2 : RIMM RAMBUS 128MB/16 @ 400Mt/s RIMM3 - J8J1 : Empty RIMM4 - J8J2 : Empty Chipset 1 Model : Intel Corporation 82850 Host-Hub Interface Bridge Device (A2-step) Bus(es) : X-Bus AGP PCI USB i2c/SMBus Front Side Bus Speed : 4x 100MHz (400MHz data rate) Maximum FSB Speed / Max Memory Speed : 4x 100MHz / 2x 400MHz Width : 64-bit IO Queue Depth : 8 request(s) Chipset 1 Hub Interface Type : Hub-Interface Version : 1.00 Number of Ports : 1 Width : 8-bit Full Duplex : Yes Multiplier : 1/1x Speed : 4x 66MHz (264MHz data rate) Logical/Chipset 1 Memory Banks Bank 0 : 256MB RDRAM 8/9CL Channels : 2 Speed : 2x 400MHz (800MHz data rate) Multiplier : 4/1x Width : 16-bit Refresh Rate : 1.95µs Power Save Mode : No Fixed Hole Present : No System Clock Generator Model : ICS 9250-22 Software Programmable : Yes Read-Back Support : No Environment Monitor 1 Model : SMSC M10x/14x LPC Version : 0.01 Mainboard Specific Support : No Cooling Device(s) Auto Fan Speed Control : No CPU Fan Speed : 3413rpm AGP Bus(es) on Hub 1 Version : 2.00 Speed : 4x 66MHz (264MHz data rate) Multiplier : 1/2x Fast-Writes Enabled : No Fast-Writes Support : Yes Side Band Enabled : No Side Band Support : Yes Aperture Size : 64MB PCI Bus(es) on Hub 1 Version : 2.20 Number of Bridges : 2 PCI Bus 0 : PCI (33MHz) PCI Bus 2 : PCI (33MHz) Multiplier : 1/3x LPC Hub Controller 1 Model : Intel Corporation 82801BA LPC Interface (ICH2 B4 step) ACPI Power Management Enabled : Yes Delayed Transaction Supported : Yes Delayed Transaction Enabled : No LPC Legacy Controller 1 Type : SMSC LPC v1 Version : 59.01 Number of Enabled Devices : 5 USB Controller 1 Model : Gateway 2000 82801BA/BAM USB Controller #1 (ICH2/ICH2-M B4 step) Version : 1.10 Interface : UHCI Channels : 2 Speed : 48MHz Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full (12Mbps) Legacy Emulation Enabled : No USB Controller 2 Model : Gateway 2000 82801BA/BAM USB Controller #2 (ICH2/ICH2-M B4 step) Version : 1.10 Interface : UHCI Channels : 2 Speed : 48MHz Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full (12Mbps) Legacy Emulation Enabled : No System SMBus Controller 1 Model : Intel 801xx/63xx SMBus Version : 0.04 Specification : 1.00 Advanced TCO Mode Enabled : No Slave Device Enabled : No PEC Support : No Speed : 100kHz Expansion Slot(s) J4E1 (1h) : PCI 32-bit +3.3V PME Full-Length Available (Intel Corporation 82850 AGP Bridge (A2-step)) J4D1 (2h) : PCI 32-bit +3.3V PME Full-Length Available J4C1 (3h) : PCI 32-bit +3.3V PME Full-Length Used J4B1 (4h) : PCI 32-bit +3.3V PME Full-Length Used J4A1 (5h) : PCI 32-bit +3.3V PME Full-Length Used J5E1 (5h) : AGP-4x 32-bit +5V Shared Full-Length Used Port Connector J1L1 - USB1 : USB - None / USB J1L1 - USB2 : USB - None / USB J1K1 - COM A : Serial Port 16550A - None / DB-9 pin female J1J2 - LPT1 : Parallel Port ECP/EPP - None / DB-25 pin male J1M1 - Keyboard : Keyboard - None / PS/2 J1M1 - PS2Mouse : Mouse - None / PS/2 J10G1 - Floppy - None : None - Floppy Disk / None J9G2 - PRI IDE - None : None - ATA / None J9G1 - SEC IDE - None : None - ATA / None J7A2 - SCSI LED - None : None - None / None J9D2 - Control Panel - None : None - None / None J7M2 - Power Supply Fan - None : None - None / None J6L1 - CPU Fan - None : None - None / None J8C2 - Configuration Jumper - None : None - None / None J9C1 - USB Front Panel : None - None / None Performance Tips Notice 224 : SMBIOS/DMI information may be inaccurate. Tip 2511 : Some memory slots are free so the memory can be easily upgraded. Tip 2546 : Large memory modules should be ECC/Parity. Tip 2 : Double-click tip or press Enter while a tip is selected for more information about the tip. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Badger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/848f3c/32.png) [@Dead\_Badger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Badger)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2004, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-questions-about-ram/261943/10 "2004-08-28T16:33:21Z")
Right, well; first computer. For starters, this seems to already have 512MB of RAM in it. [Here’s](http://www.msi.com.tw/program/products/mainboard/mbd/pro_mbd_detail.php?UID=362&MODEL=MS-6712) the info page for the motherboard you’ve got. The page I linked to is slightly confusing. It claims to support up to a maximum of an Athlon XP 2800+ processor, but also claims to support DDR400 memory. To the best of my knowledge the 2800+ only has a 333MHz bus, so there’s absolutely no point running memory faster than that. The memory you’ve got already installed is a single 512MB stick of 333MHz DDR RAM, which suits the processor perfectly. The installed memory is apparently unbranded, so you’d probably be okay installing just another stick of unbranded DDR333/PC2700 memory. I don’t find the difference between 512MB and a gig of RAM all that noticeable, but then your dad might be a CAD engineer. 🙂 Second computer: I’m not so familiar with RDRAM and pentium machines, so it’s probably best to take the following with a pinch of salt. I’ve got my info from [this](http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=799&page=3) page, since Intel don’t seem to have the info for your exact motherboard on their site. Basically RDRAM needs to be fitted in identical pairs; if you open up the Gateway there should be four memory slots, two of which will have 128MB RIMM modules in, and two of which should be empty (or have some little spacer thingies in). The bad news with RDRAM is that it’s on the way out, hard to find, and getting kind of expensive (especially since you have to buy identical pairs). If you decide to go for it, you need PC800 RDRAM, which runs at 800MHz. For example, two sticks of [Samsung](http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-151-003&depa=0) RAM from newegg will be about $100, while two sticks of [256MB](http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-150-311&depa=0) unbranded memory will be over $200. I’m not sure about compatibility issues with buying RAM that doesn’t precisely match what’s already installed. It _might_ be alright, and as far as I can tell it _should_ be, but memory is weird sometimes, particularly when mixing and matching. Probably best to make sure you can send it back if it doesn’t work. Hope this helps… ---
**Author:** ![DougC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@DougC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DougC)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2004, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-questions-about-ram/261943/11 "2004-08-28T23:50:18Z")
- - - Without reading all of the above (because I am lazy), here’s my quick-and-dirty take on the situation: 1. the RAM types are different, so they cannot be mixed with each other (used in one computer). So even if you were willing to pay more for faster RAM and put the slower ram in one PC and the new faster in the other, you can’t. 2. If you have two different speeds of RAM, both run at the slower one’s speed. 3. there’s usually a sticker on each describing critical technical aspects of it. (ECC or non-ECC is the kicker for DDR, if your mobo needs ECC then you MUST use ECC. Otherwise, you can stick ECC or non-ECC in, but ECC costs more, so don’t buy it unless you need it. ECC stands for “Error Correction Circuitry”, by the by) Soooo… - Take a look in each, and if there is a sticker on the memories, go out and buy a duplicate 256-meg card of each of those types of RAM, and pop them in alongside. Don’t worry about getting a faster speed because the faster one will only run as fast as the older slower one, to get the faster one to run faster you would have to take out the slower one–wasting ~$50 per stick. And anyway–going from 256 to 512 megs does make some difference in normal activities, but really (I recently did it) it really only matters most when playing FPS games. Which was the real reason I did it. - 256 megs of ECC DDR RAM cost about $53 where I went. If I had not needed ECC DDR, I could have paid only ~$40. ~