Upgrading RAM in an older computer? **Update: It worked!!**

[bpm3k]

I have an older computer (see specifications below). I would like to upgrade its current 128MB of ram (2x 64MB pc66) to the boards maximum of 256MB. If I pull out both the 64MB sticks and put in 1 stick of 256mb PC133. Will that work? Will the PC133 automatically downclock and run at PC66 without damaging the motherboard? Thank you for your help.


Microsoft® Windows® 98
Intel® Celeron? 466MHz (w/128KB L2 Cache) PPGA CPU
2x 64MB SyncDRAM PC66 (up to 256 MB)
ATI Rage Pro Turbo 2X AGP with 4MB SGRAM
Crystal CS4280 3D PCI Audio
5x Max. DVD-ROM Drive with Software Decoder
8.4GB HDD (Ultra DMA EIDE)
3.5" 1.44MB FDD
56K* ITU V.90 PCI Fax/Modem
PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse
Stereo Speakers
2 USB Ports (1 is on Front)
1 Serial / 1 Parallel / 3 Expansion Slot
Audio In & Out / Game Port on Front
Internet Ready
Microsoft Works

 

[duragezic]

Yes it will work fine. The PCxxx specifications are really just what the RAM is rated to be able to operate at.

 

[RickH]

I bet it won't work. The PC133 does refer to the operating speed of the memory, but you also have to conceder the density and if the RAM is single sided or double sided. Most old PC100 machines are picky, the PC66 are worse. Good luck. R

 

[VirtualLarry]

I would go with 2 x 128MB or 1 x 256MB of PC100, preferably single-sided, unless you were totally sure that the PC133 that you had was "low-density" and compatible with that board. The memory-controllers on those chipsets/mobos of that vintage, weren't designed to accomodate the larger-sized memory chips that were later released. Purely speaking of clock speeds, then 133Mhz SDRAM should also be able to run at 100Mhz and 66Mhz when needed.

 

[mwmorph]

arent pc66 different in size than pc100 and pc133 ram? i remember, a old pentium1 pc wouldnt accept some crucial pc100 ram i bought back in the day because it wouldnt fit in the slot.

edit: yeah it's a desktop. im not trying to fit dimms into simm slots. packard bell.thats how ancient that was.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: mwmorph
arent pc66 different in size than pc100 and pc133 ram? i remember, a old pentium1 pc wouldnt accept some crucial pc100 ram i bought back in the day because it wouldnt fit in the slot.

That p1 was probably using pairs of SIMMs not single DIMMs.

PC66 - PC133 are physically the same, but as VirtualLarry explained, most LX, ZX and BX chipset motherboards had problems with high density memory, and LX/ZX couldn't use 256MB sticks at all I think.

Crucial.com to buy something guaranteed to work, or post a WTB thread to FS/FT forum and specify must be low-density / PC66 compatible.

 

[3chordcharlie]

it does depend on the motherboard - for a celly 466, it's socket 370, so it could be a 'relatively' modern chipset, supporting 100 and/or 133mhz front side bus (in which case any sdram at all should be fine).

If it's an older chipset then you would be better to look for 2 128mb (low density) sticks, or one 128mb and keep one of the 64mb sticks.

I'm not sure what you use the computer for, but windows 98 doesn't generally benefit too much from added ram much past 128mb; I doubt you would notice any difference at all between 192 and 256.

 

[bpm3k]

It seems to have worked. YAY!!! System Properties shows 256MB of ram. And CPU-z shows 256MB of ram.

The motherboard is a trigem computer, model: com 03

This is the ram:Micron MT16LSDT3264AG-13E.

 

[Infohawk]

So is the system rocking now or what with that 256mb of ram?

 

[DaveSimmons]

Good! it must be an i810 or via chipset, both of which run almost any RAM.

 

[Arcanedeath]

Just as an FYI LX could use 256mb dimms just fine I have a gainward board w/ a celery 333A that has 512mb w/ 2x256mb sticks in it working fine still. (yes gainward used to make motherboards and not just video cards)

Edit: fyi they are low density crucial parts w/ micron chips as an FYI too.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Yeah, my old (may it RIP) 440BX Abit BX6-r2 had 3 x 256MB, PC133 low-density DIMMs with Micron chips in it too. Never did get that fourth DIMM to push it to 1GB, some people reported instability when filling all four slots, so perhaps it's better that I never did. But low-density DIMMs with Micron chips = :thumbsup:

 

[mwmorph]

wait, does the 440bx/zx accept high density dimms?