Hi guys,

This is a real basic question but what memory is likely to be needed for an old PC which currently runs Windows 98, that I am upgrading to XP. It is a 733mhz (just enough to run XP) and must be about 4 years old, I can only see DDR memory around but I am sure there are other types, guess the easiest way is to take old memory out and have a look? Also is there any way of telling whether the PC will read both sides of the memory I buy (gonna get 512 to make it 638 in total)

Any advice would be Cheers guys!

 

well it wont take 72 pin simms as they are ainchant, it'll take more than likely, 144 pin dimms (dual inline memory module) - cheep enough from computer fairs in 128 meg sticks

 

as per gracey...

commonly refered to as PC133 or PC100

 

any good websites I can order from? I was looking on www.overclockers.co.uk which I normally use and it all seems the same Im such a Doofus lol

 

Count the pins, I'm afraid......it could be 168-pin SDRAM.

SDRAM (168-pin)

If it's REALLY ancient, and the memory is in your computer in pairs, it could well be SIMMs (72-pin), in which case:

SIMMs (72-pin)

 

ok cool cheers people... I'l whip the old memory out and take a look

 

www.ebuyer.co.uk - they seem to have some good deals on memory at the moment

also good deals on flatscreen monitors too on there - 19" tft for 270 quid

 

i doubt very much it'll take SDRAM if its a 733mhz PIII (or equivanent!)

 

I was assuming DDR but I will soon find out I guess! thanks for all your help.... give this site a top name!

 

DDR is SDRAM and is refered to as PC2100 PC2300 PC 2700 etc. etc.

ps a pentium 3 733 chip has a 133mhz FSB so you'll need PC133 memory

preferably buy in pairs too (so if you want 512, but 2x 256mb DIMMS)

 

ok cool it is definately a 733mhz not sure if its Pentium or celeron / athlon....

Can i ask why buy in pairs? (only cos its more expensive lol )

 

Why pairs? Unless my memory (no pun intented) serves me incorrectly, you haven't needed to pair memory since SIMMs went out of fashion...

 

you don't NEED to, it just gives a performance gain...

mainly noticeable on DDR stuff nowadays, but even with the old EDO stuff it still helps

 

jim you cock

pc 133 is SDRAM DDR is not SDR = Single data rate

for a 733mhz pc you definately want PC 133 SD RAM memory module

SO DIMMS have not been used since the days of SUB 100mhz PC'S

anything on this page will be ok

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/p...x1y0z1p0s0n0m0

oh and you have no need to buy in pairs

it makes no differencce. on newer dual channel equiped motherboards running DDR dual channel is faster but it will make no difference on yours.

 

jim are you sure!
SD ram is pc133 not DDR

 

A bit Harsh!

Cheers guys for clearing this up, anythingon that page you reckon? Seems a cheap site too!

 

its not harsh

jim is sposed to be a PC keener

anything on that page will do just pick the size u require

check inside your pc to see how many slots you have available and the max memory your motherboard can take

a lot of P3 motherboards couldnt take over 512mb

 

craig, i know (in great depth) how memory works and which type is which and what theyre compatible with.

unfortunately people call a lot of things by the wrong name, which is why smart arses often try to correct you when refering to things by what theyre commonly refered to, (ie not what they truly are)

but lets nitpick at this for a sec...

well considering they work in conjunction with 150 FSBs that'd be a bit silly now wouldn't it... sure youre not refering to SIMMS (single inline memory module) which are the 30something and 72 pin jobbies we all used to use

PC 133 is NOT the same as DDR266 (PC2100) even tho they work at the same clock rate

PC133 is a 144pin Dual inline memory module which is Extended Data Output type


you're confusing acronyms...

Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory
vs
Single Data Rate

we're on about connection types (ie 168pin connections) which is commonly refered to as SDRAM type, dont confuse the SDR part of the name

 

oh and yes i can admit that PC133 is a type of SDRAM, but if you walked into any PC world and asked for SDRAM they'd hand you a 168pin stick

 

holy shit now Im confused! and im meant to be in 2nd line support for a worldwide company (its ok hardware department do all this gubbins, but before you say it yes an embarrassing lack of knowledge in this area!

im gonna go with Craigs page and memory type unless anyone has any objections!

 

jim you cut a bit ofme off

i said

SO DIMMS

and thinking about it now that is laptop memory

i did mean

SIMMS

however you stil lgot it wrong

 

That's assuming FAR too much about PC World......if I went into PC World, and asked for SDRAM, they'd be more likely to point me at the software section or ask for a manager's advice!

And yes, to answer above "mis-corrections", DDR is a type of SDRAM

 

i didn't get it wrong, i just didn't go into great detail as i didnt want to confuse the bloke...

i know exactly what is what, but 90% of people (especially those in retail!) don't.

SO many people think that SDRAM and DDR SDRAM are one and the same, whereas SDR SDRAM (ie "normal" SDRAM) and DDR SDRAM are not only different, they have different connections on them. If i was to talk into a shop and ask for a 256mb SDRAM stick with a 133 data rate, i recon that 9 times out of ten they'll hand me a PC2100 DDR SDRAM stick, as the sales assistant is likely to be 17 years old, and has probably never known anything different.

if you quote: PC133 (133mhz DATA rate) DIMM @ xxxMB you can't really go wrong

 

by the way, i re-read that twice and i can't understand what i meant please ignore as it doesnt make any sense... lol