Memory PC100 or PC133

Getting a little confused here,I have a XL 775 Hp,I go to different memory sites and get different answers. I have 256 of memory in my pc now ( 128 that came with it and 128 pc133 I insatlled last yr ) and wantto upgrade to 512. The sites I go to tell me to use PC 100 but there's a PC 133 in my machine now and HP tells me I can use either one. What's up with this and will it make a difference.

 

The simple answer is download a system information program like Aida http://majorgeeks.com/download181.html. Look at what kind of ram it shows and the Mhz it is running at and match it.

The explanation for the confusing answers is not that easy. Basically the two clock speeds are for the same exact type of ram. With most of the motherboards that use this memory and most of the memory itself, the two memory types are interchangable. This is because if you put the 133 Mhz memory into a board that only supports 100Mhz it will only run at 100Mhz, and likewise if you put 100Mhz memory into a board that support 133Mhz it should take it just fine and run at 100Mhz instead of 133Mhz. Are you confused now? The only kink in this is that some motherboards will handle mismatched ram (a 100 Mhz and a 133 Mhz combined) just fine and run it at the lower clock speed. Some motherboards require that all the memory be matched (they can run either speed but if you have more than one stick they need to be the same Mhz). According to HPs answer it sounds like it doesn't matter.

Which brings me back to the simple answer. Download the program (its free) run the system check and check out your memory, if it is mismatched i'd get whatever you can get the cheepest, if it is identical i'd stick with another stick of 133 Mhz.

 

What I found is....while it has a 100mhz bus, it does support PC133. It also accepts 256mb sticks. So I say.......seems no difference. hehe I do believe though..........that when using one stick of PC100 & one PC133, the PC133 will only run like the PC100.

 

Thanks for everything,
Night

 

How many spaces have you for RAM. You obviously have 2, at least. I would suggest that you buy the biggest (megabyte) stick you can afford at whatever speed your motherboard will support. For example, buy a 256 or 512 or bigger if your mobo will support them.

The reason for this, is inevitably you will like more memory and the biggest single stick you have allows you to expand again. RAM is a bit like hard drive size, sooner or later you would like bigger/more. Buying the biggest in the first place will save you money in the long run. Check out with the manufacturer (or manual), what is the maximum memory your PC/mobo/BIOS will support before you decide.

Install your biggest/fastest stick of Ram in the first position. There is usually marking on the mother board as to which is number 1. If no markings, just install 1 stick at a time. Not sure, but sometimes PC wont boot unless the stick is in position 1. Then add your second biggest/fastest stick.

Just a reminder, make sure you earth yourself to a metal part of your PC case. Touch it with both hands, every time, before removing/installing RAM. Static discharge can blow your RAM very easily. Don't forget this, as just walking across some carpets can build up static again.

I once worked in a computer shop and had to buy another pair of shoes as the shoes I had, and the carpet (not a good thing for computer stores) used to build up static so much that I got a static discharge boot when I opened our front door for a customer. Bazza
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According to the HP website it will accept 3 x 256mb for a total of 768mbs.

 

Thanks for the info, suesman. Baz

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