Wanna buy Some RAM, Plz Help

[DenisR]

Ok guys i wanna buy some ram and i need answers. how do i find out what kind of ram im already using and what i can fit? is there any way i can find out in WinXP what sticks im using? or do i have to open the beast up and see manually what it says on the stick?

[brembo]

I think SiSoft's "Sandra" proggie will tell ya the make and size/type etc of your installed ram. Someone here in the hardware forums will most likley have an app in mind that'll be better. If ya just need to know the size and type "Belarc Advisor" will do just that. Its free and a quick d/l.

[DenisR]

512 Megabytes Installed Memory

Slot 'J6G1' has 256 MB
Slot 'J6G2' has 256 MB
Slot 'J6H1' is Empty

this doesnt tell me much. i need to know the number of pins and whether its DDR, SDRAM (and the pci numbers)

[Faust]

if you download the free demo for SiSoft Sandra (link at cnet.com...... http://download.com.com/3000-2086-10132 ... ag=lst-0-1 ), you can look under "mainboard information" and see what chipset you have, what frequency your FSB is running a, what kind of RAM you have, etc. any/all of this info will tell you what memory you have/need.

if you need help interpreting it, just let us know.

[YeOldeStonecat]

Also a selection utility like at http://www.crucial.com
Go through RAM selection utility...select your make/model computer....it will produce a list of memory tested that's fully tested and compatible with your hardware. Takes the guessing out.

[DenisR]

ok i downloaded and installed sandra here are my results

SiSoftware Sandra

Computer System
Name : ************
User Name : Denis *****
Logon Domain : ***********

Processor(s)
Model : Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 1700MHz
Speed : 1.70GHz
Performance Rating : PR1865 (estimated)
L2 On-board Cache : 256kB ECC synchronous ATC

Mainboard and BIOS
Bus(es) : X-Bus AGP PCI IMB USB SMBus/i2c
MP Support : No
System BIOS : Intel Corp. HV84510A.86A.0018.P04.0107302001
Mainboard : Intel Corporation D845HV
System Chipset : Intel Corporation 82845/E/MP/MZ Brookdale CPU to I/O Bridge
Front Side Bus Speed : 4x 100MHz (400MHz data rate)
Installed Memory : 512MB SDRAM
Memory Bus Speed : 1x 133MHz (133MHz data rate)

Video System
Monitor/Panel : SyncMaster 753DF(X)/703DF(X)/783DF(X), SyncMaster Magic CD173A(T)
Adapter : NVIDIA GeForce2 MX 100/200

Physical Storage Devices
Removable Drive : Floppy disk drive
Disk Drive : SAMSUNG SV4002H
CD-ROM/DVD : SAMSUNG CD-R/RW SW-216B
CD-ROM/DVD : SAMSUNG DVD-ROM SD-616
CD-ROM/DVD : Image Simulation SCSI CdRom Device

Logical Storage Devices
1.44MB 3.5" (A : N/A
Hard Disk (C : 35.4GB (7.2GB, 20% Free) (FAT32)
Hard Disk (D : 1.9GB (931MB, 49% Free) (FAT32)
CD-ROM/DVD (E : 618MB (0MB, 0% Free) (CDFS)
CD-ROM/DVD (F : N/A
CD-ROM/DVD (G : N/A

Peripherals
Serial/Parallel Port(s) : 2 COM / 1 LPT
USB Controller/Hub : Intel(r) 82801BA/BAM USB Universal Host Controller - 2442
USB Controller/Hub : Intel(r) 82801BA/BAM USB Universal Host Controller - 2444
USB Controller/Hub : USB Root Hub
USB Controller/Hub : USB Root Hub
USB Controller/Hub : Generic USB Hub
Keyboard : Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
Mouse : Microsoft PS/2 Mouse
Mouse : HID-compliant mouse
Human Interface : USB Human Interface Device

MultiMedia Device(s)
Device : Creative SB Live! Value (WDM)
Device : Creative SBLive! Gameport
Device : Intel(r) 82801BA/BAM AC'97 Audio Controller

Printers and Faxes
Model : hp psc 2100 series
Model : Canon Bubble-Jet BJC-240

Operating System(s)
Windows System : Microsoft Windows XP Home Ver 5.01.2600

Network Adapter(s)
Networking Installed : Yes
Adapter : Realtek RTL8139 Family PCI Fast Ethernet NIC

Performance Tips
Tip T102 : Consider using the Unicode version of Sandra.
Tip T2 : For more information about tips, press F1 and scroll to the Tips section.

More Specifically For Memory

SiSoftware Sandra

System Mainboard
Manufacturer : Intel Corporation
MP Support : No
Model : D845HV
Version : AAA68838-304
Serial Number : IMHV13800292
BIOS ID : 51-2300-000000-00101111-030199-

On-board Devices
Intel ICH2 Audio Device : Unknown

System Memory Controller
Location : Mainboard
Error Correction Capability : None
Number of Memory Slots : 3
Maximum Installable Memory : 3GB
DIMM0 - J6G1 : DIMM Synchronous SDRAM 256MB/64 @ 133Mt/s
DIMM1 - J6G2 : DIMM Synchronous SDRAM 256MB/64 @ 133Mt/s
DIMM2 - J6H1 : Empty

System Chipset
Model : Intel Corporation 82845/E/MP/MZ Brookdale CPU to I/O Bridge
Bus(es) : X-Bus AGP PCI IMB USB SMBus/i2c
Front Side Bus Speed : 4x 100MHz (400MHz data rate)
Max FSB Speed / Max Memory Speed : 4x 100MHz / 1x 133MHz
In Order Queue Depth : 12 req(s)

Chipset Hub Interface
Type : HubInterface
Version : 1.00
No. Ports : 1
Width : 8-bit
Full Duplex : Yes
Multiplier : 1x
Speed : 4x 66MHz (264MHz data rate)

APIC 1
Version : 2.00
Speed : 17MHz
Multiplier : 1/2x
Max Interrupts : 24
IRQ Handler Engaged : Yes
Enhanced Support : Yes

Logical/Chipset Memory Banks
Bank 0 Setting : 128MB SDRAM 8-1-1-1R 6-1-1-1W 3-3-3CL
Bank 1 Setting : 128MB SDRAM 8-1-1-1R 6-1-1-1W 3-3-3CL
Bank 2 Setting : 128MB SDRAM 8-1-1-1R 6-1-1-1W 3-3-3CL
Bank 3 Setting : 128MB SDRAM 8-1-1-1R 6-1-1-1W 3-3-3CL
Speed : 1x 133MHz (133MHz data rate)
Multiplier : 1.33x
Refresh Rate : 15.60µs
Power Down Mode : No
Fixed Hole Present : No

Memory Modules
Memory Module 1 : BPB6786C 256MB 16x(16Mx8) SDRAM PC133U-333-542 (CL3 upto 133MHz)
Memory Module 2 : BPB6786C 256MB 16x(16Mx8) SDRAM PC133U-333-542 (CL3 upto 133MHz)

Environment Monitor 1
Model : SMSC M10x/14x LPC
Mainboard Specific Support : No

Environment Monitor 2
Model : AD ADM1025(A) SMB
Version : 0.09
Mainboard Specific Support : No

Temperature Sensor(s)
Board Temperature : 37.0°C / 98.6°F
CPU Temperature : 43.0°C / 109.4°F td

Cooling Device(s)
Auto Fan Speed Control : No
CPU Fan Speed : 4551rpm

Voltage Sensor(s)
CPU Core Voltage : 1.75V
Aux Voltage : 1.49V
+3.3V Voltage : 3.29V
+5V Voltage : 5.10V
-12V Voltage : -11.24V

AGP Bus
Version : 2.00
Speed : 66MHz
Current Data Transfer Rate : 4x 66MHz (264MHz data rate)
Side Band Enabled : No
Side Band Support : Yes
Fast-Writes Enabled : No
Fast-Writes Support : Yes
Aperture Size : 64MB

PCI Bus(es)
Version : 2.20
No Bridges : 2
PCI Bus 0 : 32-bit PCI (33MHz)
PCI Bus 2 : 32-bit PCI (33MHz)
Multiplier : 1/3x

LPC Hub Controller 1
Model : Intel Corporation 82801BA (ICH2) LPC Interface Controller
ACPI PM Enabled : Yes
Random Number Generator Enabled : No
Random Number Generator Support : Yes

LPC Legacy Controller
Type : SMSC LPC v1
Version : 5F.00
No Enabled Devices : 7

USB Controller 1
Model : Intel Corporation 82801BA/BAM (ICH2) USB Universal Host Controller
Version : 1.10
UHCI Interface : Yes
Channels : 2
Speed : 48MHz
Legacy Emulation Enabled : No

USB Controller 2
Model : Intel Corporation 82801BA/BAM (ICH2) USB Universal Host Controller
Version : 1.10
UHCI Interface : Yes
Channels : 2
Speed : 48MHz
Legacy Emulation Enabled : No

System SMBus Controller 1
Model : Intel 801xx SMBus
Version : 1.02
Speed : 16kHz

Expansion Slot(s)
J7B1 (1h) : PCI 32-bit 3.3V PME SMBus FullLength Available (Intel Corporation 82845/E/MP/MZ Brookdale CPU to AGP Bridge)
J8B2 (2h) : PCI 32-bit 3.3V PME SMBus FullLength InUse
J9B2 (3h) : PCI 32-bit 3.3V PME SMBus FullLength InUse
J6C2 (7h) : AGP-4x 32-bit 5V FullLength InUse

Port Connector(s)
J1A1 - PS2Mouse : Mouse Port - None / PS/2
J1A1 - Keyboard : Keyboard Port - None / PS/2
J2A2 - USB1 : USB - None / USB
J2A2 - USB2 : USB - None / USB
J4A1 - LPT 1 : Parallel Port ECP/EPP - None / DB25 pin male
J2A1 - COM A : Serial Port 16550A Compatible - None / DB-9 pin male
J2H2 - COM B : Serial Port 16550A Compatible - 9 Pin Dual Inline / None
J5A1 - USB3 : USB - None / USB
J5A1 - USB4 : USB - None / USB
J5A1 - LAN : Network Port - None / RJ-45
J6A1 - Audio Mic In : Audio Port - None / Mini-jack
J6A1 - Audio Line In : Audio Port - None / Mini-jack
J6A1 - Audio Line Out : Audio Port - None / Mini-jack
J8A1 - AUX IN : Audio Port - None / None
J8B1 - CDIN : Audio Port - CD-ROM Sound Input / None
J8B3 - TELEPHONY IN : Audio Port - None / None
J1B1 - CHASSIS REAR FAN : None - None / None
J2F1 - CPU FAN : None - None / None
J9G1 - CONFIG : None - None / None
J9G2 - FNT USB : None - None / None
J9H1 - FNT PNL : None - None / None
J2J1 - MAIN POWER : None - None / None
J6J1 - SEC IDE : None - ATA / None
J4J1 - FLOPPY : None - Floppy / None
J6J2 - PRI IDE : None - ATA / None
J9J2 - INTRUDER : None - None / None
J8J1 - SCSI LED : None - None / None

Performance Tips
Notice N224 : SMBIOS/DMI information may be inaccurate.
Warning W2545 : Large memory modules should be Registered/Buffered.
Tip T2 : For more information about tips, press F1 and scroll to the Tips section.


I know mine is a 256MB PC133MHz Ram but it also says i can upgrade it to 3GB. Meaning i can have 1GB per stick. all i need to know is how many pins are my sticks that i support?

[Jstyr]

Let's see..your system uses standard SDRAM. So you memory slots should be DIMM slots. DIMM modules use 168 pin connectors.

I'm wondering about your FSB though. Says 4x100..I thought Intel chips ran 533 FSB..which was 133x4.

Your chipset runs the RAM at 133mhz..so getting some quality PC2100 RAM should do you fine.

If you are going to add onto your old RAM I'd highly advise you make sure and get the same type and model of RAM you currently have. Machines are picky about running two different makes of memory at the same time.

[A_old]

His machine is an original pentium p4 and it uses SDRAM, meaning PC133. NOT DDR PC2100.

The 400MHz fsb was on the first P4s. 533 didn't come until much later.

[Jstyr]

Originally posted by Amro
His machine is an original pentium p4 and it uses SDRAM, meaning PC133. NOT DDR PC2100.

The 400MHz fsb was on the first P4s. 533 didn't come until much later.

<---embarassed noob

Doesn't SDRAM come in 100 and 133 flavors? Is it called PC100 and PC133? It's been so long I can't remember.

[A_old]

Originally posted by Jstyr
<---embarassed noob

Doesn't SDRAM come in 100 and 133 flavors? Is it called PC100 and PC133? It's been so long I can't remember.

You're not a noob. You could have been right, but it said PC133 right in the sandra info.

The reason it's confusing is Intel was stupid with the first P4 (as any first gen hardware is a learning experience for it's company...look at via's chipsets, nvidia's original geforce, ati's original radeon, 3dfx voodoo rush/banshee, apple ipod (altho was best one, still lacking compared to new one), i could go on and on, first p3, first athlon, first gen sdram, first gen ddr, etc.). They were dumb and used all 3 major types of memory w/ the original P4...rambus, SDram, DDR SDram. It makes life hell figuring out what ram someone needs. The issue is that Rambus is expensive still, SDRAM chokes the p4, and pc2100 wasn't enough.. nowadays it's all DDR (northys, 850e chipset was around, but not anymore)..dual chan..really fast.

Amro

[DenisR]

so i should get DIMM PC133 right? not 2100 cus it doesnt support it right?

would i be able to buy 512 or 1gb sticks or only 256mb sticks?

[fastchevy]

The amount supported per bank (slot) will be determined by your MOBO. Sometimes even a BIOS upgrade will let you support more RAM. But since in your earlier post you said it can suppport 3 GB (with an upgrade?) you should be good to go with 1GB per slot.

[Faust]

Originally posted by DenisR
so i should get DIMM PC133 right?

right.

not 2100 cus it doesnt support it right?

thats right.

would i be able to buy 512 or 1gb sticks or only 256mb sticks?

according to Sandra, you should be able to use DIMMS up to 1GB is size each (max of 3GB total). however, without the manual for that computer/motherboard, just be prepared to have to return the memory if it doesn;t work. Sandra is fairly reliable at reporting system information, but i wouldn;'t buy no-name memory from a one-legged farmer in Indonesia..... just in case you need to return it. buy from either a respectable online vendor (such as Crucial), or a shop local to you that has a good return policy.


BTW, if you do buy from Crucial please use one of their links/ads here at Speedguide.net ...... it helps support the site.

[DenisR]

thanx for all your help guys! one thing that stumps me is how is PC133 SDRAM more expensive then DDR?!

PC133 = $109 canadain funds
DDR 2100 = $39-54 after rebates canadian funds

[Faust]

Originally posted by DenisR
thanx for all your help guys! one thing that stumps me is how is PC133 SDRAM more expensive then DDR?!

PC133 = $109 canadain funds
DDR 2100 = $39-54 after rebates canadian funds

that's the way it goes with older technologies. as the market shifts away (in this case, away from SDR SDRAM), it gets more expensive to manufacture said items. since they aren't making as large a quantity (the demand has gone down), profits and profit margins go down, and so the end price has to go up in order for mfgrs/distributors/retailers to make a profit. jeez, look at EDO RAM. for the amount of memory storage, its terribly expensive..... even more so that SDR SDRAM.