Made a mistake

[staabie66]

I made a big mistake I went to crucial.com and was looking for RAM. I had them scan my system and it said I needed DDR PC2700 so I ordered 512MB. I was curious so I opened my computer up about five minutes ago and it said that I have 256MB DDR PC2100. I know this is a stupid question but are these two gonna be compatible together, or can I just put the new RAM I ordered into the computer. Or am I gonna have to order some new parts.

Thanks in advance

 

[imported_Kensai]

The PC2700 should downclock to the PC2100's speeds.

 

[n0cmonkey]

The PC2700 should work just fine, it'll run at PC2100 speeds.

 

[staabie66]

Im a noob so can you explain what that means

 

[LikeLinus]

You shouldn't have any problems. Crucial has a lifetime warranty and will most likely exchange them for you if you do run into any problems.

 

[staabie66]

so what you are saying is that 512 MB of the new ram will only run at 256 MB. Or do I have this completely turned around. Also can I just use the new RAM I ordered and it will work?

 

[WackyDan]

no.... the 2700 ram will run at the 2100's speed.... it's clock speed not amount that matters./differs

 

[staabie66]

so once I install it I will be running at 768 MB ( the old ram plus the new ram) right?

 

[farmercal]

What they are saying is that the new RAM (that is capable of running faster) will run at the same speed as your present RAM. I won't hurt a thing.

 

[beany323]

lol.. its ok. thats one of the reason why this board is such a great place.. people may call you names, but they will show you where to go to learn and enligthen you also.

your present mem will run at a slower speed then the mem you bought. so if you install faster mem, they (combined ) will run at the slowest speed.

bsacially, mem will only run as fast as the slowest speed. period.

so if you have 4 various clocked (?) speeds of mem, the lowest one determines what the other sticks of mem will run at.

good luck.. and welcome to the boards.

 

[SVT Cobra]

BTW the MB has to do with how much memory you have, the "storage" size of it is how i can best explain it, the speed is different. Dont worry memory is confusing as hell when you frist learn it.

 

[l Xes l]

2700 is faster than 2100.
you have 2100 but added another 2700. There is no problem there.
However, your whole system will run them at 2100. So, ur 2700 is not running in its full potential speed. No problem.

 

[staabie66]

I just got it in (forgot to check the mail) installed with no problems and it works perfect. thanks for all the help I was panicking thinking it wasn't going to work. Thanks again

 

[staabie66]

Im just wondering I hope I have it installed correctl is there any way I can tell if its in there and working?

thanks

 

[LiquidSun]

windows key + pause/break and it should say right under Computer:

 

[staabie66]

It says 256 can anyone tell me what I did wrong

 

[Big Lar]

Or, right click Mycomputer, and it should say under the general tab on the bottom the amount of ram.

 

[staabie66]

It says the same thing under there what did I do wrong? Does anyone have any ideas

 

[imported_whatever]

Originally posted by: staabie66
It says 256 can anyone tell me what I did wrong

You installed the new DIMM (memory module) and it still says 256MB? You turned the computer off and unplugged it for the installation, right?

 

[staabie66]

It was DDR and yeah I turned off the computer and unplugged everything when I installed it

 

[Rock Hydra]

Just curious. What kind of computer do you have?

 

[Woody419]

Pull out the old. Leave it out. Put in the new (same slot). See if the 512 works by itself. If it does work then put in the old ram and see if you have 768.

 

[imported_whatever]

When your computer first starts up, around the time that it beeps, it will show something about the amount of RAM you have - it will count up (VERY quickly) to 262144 if the new DIMM is not working or 786432 if the new DIMM is working. Which one does it count to? (It may be something similar to those but somewhat different if you have integrated video, just looking at whether it starts with a 2 or a 7 is enough)

 

[staabie66]

Thanks for the help did what you told me to do and know it says I have 768 MB of Ram

 

[dodgybob]

Does it report the new ram when the bios loads?

i.e when it posts does it show 768x1024 = 786432KB?

If not tried a different ram slot etc?