I only need to buy 512MB RAM, but when I do a search on the internet the title of the hardware appears to be something like this: Kingston Value Ram 333x64c25k2/512 512mb 333mhz Ddr Pc2700 Dimm.
What does all this stuff mean? I looked up their technical meanings on the web (I still don’t know what “333x64c25k2/512 512mb” means), but I still don’t know how these things are important.
I’ve also heard that not all RAM will fit my computer. Is their a way to find out which one will?
Sorry in advance for the newbie questions. The answers just don’t seem so obvious to me.
Best way is to ask the manufacturer of your computer, or check the user manual. Also check user forums. Be very careful here. If you buy the wrong type, you might not be able to return it or you might have to pay a restocking fee.
[ul]
[li] 333x64… Each memory module has a data bus width of 64 bits, and there is a minimum of 3ns between one data bit and the next that can be accessed. A period of 3ns corresponds to a clock rate of just over 333MHz (in fact the clock used is at just over 166MHz, but it’s “dual data rate” (DDR) so data bits are read or written on both rising and falling edges of the clock, making an effective rate of just over 333MHz). Thus the maximum number of RAM bits that can be read or written per second is 333 x 64 = 21312 Mbits/sec, which corresponds to about 2666 MBytes/sec (since one byte = 8 bits). This number is rounded up to 2700 to give the “PC2700” speed designation.[/li][li]…C25… The CAS Latency is 2.5 for these modules.[/li][li]…K2… This is a “kit” containing two RAM modules (each of 256MB).[/li][li]…-512 To give a total of 512MB.[/li][/ul]