Buying new RAM...confused...

Yoonsi

Yoonsi

New Member
Hey everyone! Hope you're all having a good day.
I need some help in knowing what information I need to gather to buy new RAM. I'm currently sitting on 256Mb (*sob*) and I want to buy a 1Gb stick to replace or add if this is possible. I have my motherboard manual so I just wanted to know, how do I know what Ram types are supported by my mobo? All it mentions about RAM is "DDR400". Also, how will I know if the RAM im looking at in a store matches the information I have?
Sorry bout this but I'm rather clueless :confused:

Thanks in advance!
 
The make and model board is one thing to add to your question here. DDR400 ram is referred to as PC3200 memory. If your board supports dual channel mode you have the option of installing a good pair of 512mb dimms to see that enabled. There are some good brands to choose from.

Choosing the type of memory also depends on the type of programs you run. If you are a gamer then you will be looking for performance over value ram. Once you post the make and model the specifications can be looked over to make some recommedations for memory.
 
Make: Foxconn
Model: (This is what it says on the front of the Manual)

865 G7MF
GV7MF
PE7MF

And yes I am a gamer, but i'm a student on a SERIOUSLY tight budget and I can do without hardcore RAM :D

Thanks!
 
The 865 G7MF can be looked over at http://www.ciao.co.uk/Productinformation/Foxconn_865G7MF_SH__6540131 The maximum amount of memory on the microatx model there is 2gb of PC3200 DDR400 memory.

Yiou can easily get by with some better priced ram by simply going with the value ram from a good brand. Try to avoid the cheap generic or new to come brand memory. Some Kingston Value Ram would work out alright there. Just look around for the best price.
 
Ah thanks!
So PC2700, PC3200 are the two RAM speeds supported.

PC3200 = DDR400?

So If RAM im looking at in a store says DDR400, it's compatible?
(And I assume I should go PC3200 over PC2700?)

Oh and, if DDR400= PC3200 Then DDR??? = PC2700 (out of interest?)

Thanks heaps!

And if anyone knows where I can learn more about this, pls post a link for me, I'd greatly appreciate it.
 
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Thanks a lot kind sir. I understood everything except this:

PC eye said:
That equals 2x166mhz as seen in the bios. DDR400 would 2x200mhz seen there.
Click to expand...

That just flew straight over my head O_o
Thanks for the links, I have some reading to do =)
 
Double Data Rate(DDR) dual inline memory module(dimm) When you look at the specifications on memory and it says 400mhz and then see 200mhz set in the bios you will be asking how it is only 200mhz on 400mhz dimms? The simple formula there is 2 times 200mhz is equal to... you know the rest. The figure seen on memory is the total of both channels put together.
 
That equals 2x166mhz as seen in the bios.
Click to expand...
Not always. I have used plenty of BIOSs that say 400, 333, 266, etc.
The figure seen on memory is the total of both channels put together.
Click to expand...
PC3200 is not the total of 2 channels. 3.2Gb/s (aka 3200 megabits) is the maxium bandwidth of a single channel of DDR400.
 
Cromewell said:
Not always. I have used plenty of BIOSs that say 400, 333, 266, etc.PC3200 is not the total of 2 channels. 3.2Gb/s (aka 3200 megabits) is the maxium bandwidth of a single channel of DDR400.
Click to expand...

"The dual channel configuration alleviates the problem by doubling the amount of available memory bandwidth. Instead of a single memory channel, a second parallel channel is added. With two channels working simultaneously, the bottleneck is reduced. Rather than wait for memory technology to improve, dual channel architecture simply takes the existing RAM technology and improves the method in which it is handled. While the actual implementation differs between Intel and AMD motherboards, the basic theory stands" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual_channel

The model board there only runs DDR333 and DDR400 memory.
 
You were probably thinking more on the lines of the older single channel memory before. But people get a little paniced when they see 200mhz instead of the 400mhz they expect to see when looking in the bios. That's when you have to explain that DDR and DDR2 memory has a double data rate due to having dual channels.
 
Thanks a lot guys, from you guys, the links posted and good ol wikipedia, I've had everything cleared up.

You guys are great!
Cheers
 
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