Adding a new RAM problem

S

Senuka

Geek Trainee
I've an old P (III) Desktop computer, working with two 64MB SDR memory sticks (total 128MB), and I’m willing to add another 256MB memory stick into empty slot.

Following are the problems I've,

When I go to BIOS > Chipset settings.... It shows me four options for setting the RAM frequency as Auto, 66 MHz, 100 MHz, and 133 MHz

Question 1#
Does my motherboard support for 133 MHz memory stick?

Question 2#
Currently available two memory sticks are in 100 MHz. If I use the new memory stick in 133 MHz, will it be a problem (Like computer doesn’t boot) because RAMs aren't in same frequency?

Thanks,
 
Hi,

If you run ram in your computer that are rated for different speeds, they will all run at the same speed. Usually if you select Auto in the Bios, it will set the speed to the lowest frequency, in this case 100mhz most likely. You should be able to run them all at that speed without issues, however if you change the speed up to 133mhz and the original 2 ram sticks are only rated for 100mhz, you will be overclocking them. This could lead to stability issues. If you manually set a speed in the BIOS, it should retain the setting. Just be aware that the motherboard will not allow different Ram sticks to run at different speeds, if thats what you are asking in question one. The Ram will either all be running at 100mhz or at 133mhz, whichever you choose. To be safe, I would keep it at the current 100mhz to avoid problems.
 
yes Wildcard is correct, old ram for that system is collectively known (usually) as PC100.

as you say Senuka the BIOS can select either 66Mhz, 100Mhz or 133Mhz

the way it works is that all RAM will only operate at the speed of the slowest module installed.
Senuka said:
Question 1#
Does my motherboard support for 133 MHz memory stick?
Click to expand...
we need mobo's make & model and hopefully revision number (usually printed on mobo after "Rev")
Senuka said:
Question 2#
Currently available two memory sticks are in 100 MHz. If I use the new memory stick in 133 MHz, will it be a problem (Like computer doesn’t boot) because RAMs aren't in same frequency?
Click to expand...
usually no, but the 133Mhz memory will only run at 100Mhz, however you may be unlucky enough to get memory that doesn't play well with other memory, if that's the case you should have no problem replacing the problematic stick

having said that using 133Mhz RAM at 100Mhz you will technically be underclocking the RAM not that thats a problem, to test the difference between 100Mhz and 133Mhz RAM you would have to use benchmark software you couldn't detect the performance difference yourself
 
I would like to help you here, but i'm having the same problem on another computer . Thanks to all that are helping us. I'm almost done if this problem.
 
Some RAM is soft-clocked, that is PC133 may down-clock to PC100 or PC66, depending on what the motherboard needs. Other RAM can be hardclocked to the rated speed, and therefore present a problem if the mobo isn't running at the same speed. If we knew the mobo brand and model, it might be possible to check the proper speed memory you need. If you are not sure, could you download cpuz, and report back what it says the motherboard manufacturer and system name is?
 
Question 1#
Does my motherboard support for 133 MHz memory stick?

it depends , what type of motherboard you have !? you didn't wrote that down here .
if you have the detailes , you could google them for a review .
and then this question will be answered .

you can't deside the frequency ,
the memoty himself runs a bunch of numbers like : 5-5-5-12 and you must adjust the FREQ like it should ,
it's better for you if the memory sticks are from the same company , and with the SS DS mode ( Single-Side , Dual-Side ) the same ,
i think that you need to buy a paire of memory stick that come as a kit .
that would be good for you if you wanna put more than just 1 memory stick
 
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