Memory question PC3200 in a PC2100??

[Rhonda85]

Hello, I have an Athlon XP 2000 that uses PC2100 (266mhz DDR). Can I put in faster memory like PC 2700 or PC3200 since it is easier to find?

 

[jjsbasmt]

I frequently use PC2700 in lieu of and along with 2100 since your are correct about the availability. I have never tried to use PC3200 instead however.

 

[natto fire]

Yes. The speed listed is just the maximum, and can be set lower.

 

[Comdrpopnfresh]

infact, your bios will probably lower it automatically. Thats why mismatching different speeds ends up wasting money on the higher ones- they only slow down...

 

[VirtualLarry]

It should work fine. The only issue that you might run into is that most PC3200 value ram is specced at CAS 3, and most PC2700 (2100) is specced at CAS 2.5. So if you are using PC3200 in a system with older RAM, you might have to tweak your CAS settings manually to CAS 3. (Or you could run them at 2.5, and pray that they work alright at that CAS setting at slower speeds.)

 

[Atheus]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
(Or you could run them at 2.5, and pray that they work alright at that CAS setting at slower speeds.)

Or up the voltage just to be sure.

Before I got rid of my Athlon XP system I overclocked the stuffing out of it - CPU, memory, 9800 pro graphics, the lot. Ended up being pretty fast even by modern standards.