Rambus compatibility?

[CJP]

I've got 2x256mb of pc800 Samsung Rdram in my system. Some time in the future I may want to add 2 more 256mb sticks to get a gig total. I've seen noname rdram advertised as "Premium" sell for $30-$40 Can. less than the brand name stuff. Will this cheap rambus memory co-habitate fine with my Samsung Rdram? I'm using an Asus P4T-E motherboard and am not overclocking (if that matters).

 

[Big Lar]

As long as the no-name will actually do the speed, and they match, it will be fine.

 

[InlineFive]

Personally I have had problems with generic memory and I would at least invest in some budget Kingston, Samsung, Corsair or Crucial memory.

 

[HeinekinMan]

I have this exact mobo and upgraded it to 1GB several months back.

I ran into problems trying to get a newer set of Samsung PC800s (40ns) to work with my older Samsung PC800s (45ns). With both sets installed, the system would not POST. If I installed either set by themselves, no problems.

I didn't want to continue experimenting with my system to find a set that would work so I coughed up the money for another set identical (same P/Ns: MR16R082GBN1-CK8) to the older Samsungs that I have (paid $105.00/each at Googlegear.com/ZipZoomFly.com but they work fine).

Not sure if this mobo is finicky or just my bad luck; I would make sure that whereever you buy your RDRAMs that they will allow you to return them without any hassle or restocking fee if they don't work...

 

[cockeyed]

I helped a friend recently upgade his HP Pavilion with RAMBUS memory. It called for PC600, which is what he ordered, but it would not work with the older 2 strips in place or by itself. With it installed, the machine would boot to windows then shutdown and re-boot again, continuously. He returned it and went to a local dealer to have it installed and they told us that the timing in ns of the memory has to be matched to the board to work. Anyway, they installed what they had and it worked. Point is, make sure the memory is exactly what the mobo mfg calls for; PC600/800 and the ns speed.

 

[DGath]

I had rambus on my old system. I opted to spend the grand to upgrade my whole machine before I wanted to hassle with upgrading the ram.