# Memory upgrade: PC2100 vs. PC2700 vs. PC3200?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memory-upgrade-pc2100-vs-pc2700-vs-pc3200/484359
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [February 4, 2009, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memory-upgrade-pc2100-vs-pc2700-vs-pc3200/484359 "2009-02-04T03:01:40Z")
**Posts on this page:** 6
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)
#### Post date: [February 4, 2009, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memory-upgrade-pc2100-vs-pc2700-vs-pc3200/484359/1 "2009-02-04T03:01:40Z")
I’m looking to upgrade the RAM in a Dell OptiPlex GX260 from 256MB to 2GB.
The specifications call for “200- and 266-megahertz (MHz) double-data rate (DDR) synchronous dynamic random-access memory (SDRAM).” From what I can tell 266MHz means PC2100. Here’s the thing:
Kingston 1024MB PC2100 DDR 266MHz Memory, $49.99
Kingston 1024MB PC2700 DDR 333MHZ Memory, $39.99
Kingston 1024MB PC3200 DDR 400MHZ Memory, $39.99
So, the obvious question is, can I put memory that’s rated faster than the spec in with no ill effect? I’m not expecting any performance boost, I’d just like to save the $20.
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### Author:  [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)
#### Post date: [February 4, 2009, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memory-upgrade-pc2100-vs-pc2700-vs-pc3200/484359/2 "2009-02-04T03:06:20Z")
According to [crucial.com](http://crucial.com), [your computer](http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=OptiPlex%20GX260%20Series&pl=OptiPlex&cat=RAM)can use pc2700 or pc3200. I’m not sure that the pc2100 is compatable.
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### Author:  [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)
#### Post date: [February 4, 2009, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memory-upgrade-pc2100-vs-pc2700-vs-pc3200/484359/3 "2009-02-04T03:09:12Z")
I’m comfortable that it’s compatible, because it is what Dell calls for. Judging from [this page](http://www.crucial.com/store/listmodule/DDR/list.html), I think it more likely that Crucial just doesn’t sell PC2100 DDR any more. 🙂
However, that does seem to address the basic question. Thanks!
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### Author:  [@atomicbadgerrace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/atomicbadgerrace)
#### Post date: [February 4, 2009, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memory-upgrade-pc2100-vs-pc2700-vs-pc3200/484359/4 "2009-02-04T03:29:27Z")
Yes, you can put the 2700 or 3100 RAM in with no ill effects. It’ll just run at the slower rate.
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### Author:  [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)
#### Post date: [February 4, 2009, 9:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memory-upgrade-pc2100-vs-pc2700-vs-pc3200/484359/5 "2009-02-04T09:32:25Z")
It should work all by itself but in my experience if you mix with other modules you may have problems - - and then again you may not. I have several modules I am not using just because they will not work with others although they work find by themselves. I am also looking at buying PC2100~2700 and I will probably just have to take out all the old memory (in 256 MB modules) and replace with the new one. Otherwise you just never know how it might go.
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### Author:  [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)
#### Post date: [February 4, 2009, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memory-upgrade-pc2100-vs-pc2700-vs-pc3200/484359/6 "2009-02-04T12:48:53Z")
Oh, believe me, I’ve learned my lesson about mixing and matching. I upgraded my main PC from 1GB to 3GB in the summer of 2007. The week before Thanksgiving, it suddenly wouldn’t boot up. At. All.
As a former front-line tech support guy, it chagrinned me immensely to have to take it in to a shop, but it was even worse when all he did was yank the original 1GB sticks out and hum _ta-da_.