Bought new RAM - Not working

M

monsters

New Member
Hey there, just went out and bought some new RAM and having trouble with it, wondering if I screwed up and bought the wrong kind. I currently have 2

Kingston 1GB PC2 5300 DDR2 667MHZ
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134045

And bought two of these:

Ultra 512MB PC4200 DDR2 533MHz Memory
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1071037&CatId=1647

When putting the new RAM in with the old RAM computer starts but won't boot. Having just the new RAM in my comp does the same thing. I was wondering if there was anyway to get this working or if I just bought the wrong stuff (didn't do my homework :(), and if it is the wrong stuff some suggestions that will work. My motherboard is an ASUS P5K.
 
Last edited:
Mixing memory often causes a list of problems. The first and obvious mistake made there was mixing Kingston value or standard memory with the Ultra performance type memory. Bad move and instant conflict of mismatched types of memory.

The second is even more oblivious being the Ultra is not suited for that model board to begin with. "4 x DIMM, Max. 8 GB, DDR2 1066*/800/667 Non-ECC,Un-buffered Memory" http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?modelmenu=2&model=1637&l1=3&l2=11&l3=534&l4=0

When going to buy any new memory always look over the specifications of the board to know just what it will support. As you can see it runs DDR2 667, 800, and 1066 memory and won't run the 533 dimms.
 
Thanks alot, I just boned up on my mobo's manual so I figured that was the major problem. Also another quick question, would it be wise to buy two more sticks of the same Kingston RAM in 512MB or 1G each, I run Windows XP. And how am I able to distinguish between performance and standard RAM?
 
The Kingston performance memory also being run here on this build is called Hyper X. The general product information along with the specifications tab seen at newegg or another vendor will show right off. Where no mention of performance or gaming is seen it's generall value. Kingston has their own ValueRam name on some of their's.

For the best move there you could go with DDR 800 memory seen in a 2gb kit. The initial leap from 1gb or less upto 2gb with a pair of 1gb dimms matched to each other will immediately see a performance boost as well as XP running quite a bit smoother.

When replacing 1gb of Corsair gaming memory on an older build here for 2gb of by coicidence Kingston ValueRam that was realized on an older build. The prices on DDR2 memory have seen a good drop now that DDR3 has been out for some time where you can generally find a good price.
 
Sorry, I think I need to clarify unless I'm reading your post wrong. I don't plan on replacing the current Kingston RAM I have in, I'm looking to expand upon that since I have two open slots currently.
 
One way to expand is simply buying another 1gb Kingston dimm to match what you alreafy have being of the same brand as well as type and speed. That will give you a working 2gb of memory. When planning out a new build that's where you first see what a new board supports and buy according to that.

Most are preparing for 4gb and a 64bit edition of Windows even now since MS may simply dump 32bit after the next version comes out. Plus they want more memory while going past a certain amount won't provide any performance gain. 2gb is quite adequate for XP for most systems.

If you were looking for faster memory and not simply making a goof with the 512mb then you would be looking at a 2gb kit. But simply going for the memory seen at the first link is what you need now.

I did't think newegg shipped to Canada on further thought. Are they shipping now? :confused: is a question for you. :P
 
I doubt it, I just used the link because it was first thing that popped up on google :D. I use TigerDirect since the store is about a 15min drive away from where I am.
 
I can see why! I couldn't any 1gb 667 Kingston dimms while running across several 2gb and 4gb kits. You will shop around some unless they should restock sometime soon.

You may have to give them a call to see if they have any by Kingston while another equal dimm being the same speed and type by another brand will still work. The ideal of course is staying with the same brand, speed, type, and even manufacturer's batch. For around $60- you can see a pair of PC6400 DDR2 800 memory instead however.
 
Apparently the store by me is really good with restocking items if you ask them too. They say it'll take about 2-3 weeks to get it in but I'm in no rush really and should probably use the time to pick up another shift (grr, student) at work to offset the cost of these useless (for me at least!) sticks.

Thanks a lot for all the help. But just onnnnne more thing. When I have the 3 sticks, is there a specific way I should arrange them? Or does it not really matter.
 
The one idea to try out to see if they will accept the pair of Ultras back would be applying the credit towards another 1gb Kingston dimm of the same you are running.

That would be the same type. speed, timings, voltage requirements as the current one. You simply tell them you got in a mismatch that didn't meet what the board specifications required. That's why the memory failed to work to begin with.

It will mainly depend on their return policy for this however since you had opened and installed the memory. You could see if someone here at CF was in need of 533mhz memory for an older build with a new thread in the Computer equipment for sale section if there's any problem from being opened and installed being an electronic device. Generally they should readily swap them for a Kingston 1gb dimm however.
 
I already sold it to a friend who need some, luckily it was compatible with his mobo so I didn't lose too much out of it. Anyways I ordered the exact same dimm as the ones I currently have, so they should be arriving in about two weeks. Will it matter the way I set them up in my mobo?

Thanks Strangle, ordered that from their store today.
 
Since you are already running one 1gb dimm of the same you will end up with a 3gb total. The primary channel depending on how the dimm slots identified generally sees a second dimm there when there's an uneven number. The third dimm will still work either way since all are the same while that's the preferred installation.

Look in the user manual for the board on installing memory to see how the slots are numbered like #0, #1, #2, #3 or A1,A2- B1,B2 for knowing which is the second slot of either channel.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top