Hi, I'm new and seriously need some RAM help/advice.

My computer is about 3 years old now, and I've been living on 256mb DDR RAM. But lately, with new stuff being released my computer is lagging really really bad and it just annoys me, so I want to upgrade. I check my PC manual and this is what it says;

"Your motherboard offers the following features:

-STUFF-
Two DIMM sockets, expandable up to 2 GB using 1 GB DDR SDRAM modules
-OTHER STUFF-"

So I want at least a Gig of RAM, would it be better to get one 1 GB stick or two 512 sticks?

Another thing my manual says;

"The motherboard has two dual inline memory module (DIMM) sockets. You can increase the amount of memory in your computer up to 2 GB.

Each DIMM socket supports the following memory features:

# 184-pin 2.5 V DIMM with gold-plated contacts

# 200/266 MHz Non-ECC unbuffered DDR SDRAM

# Single or double sided DIMM in the following sizes;

DIMM size Non-ECC Configuration

64MB 8 Mbit x 64
128MB 16 Mbit x 64
256MB 32 Mbit x 64
512MB 64 Mbit x 64
1 GB 128 Mbit x 64"

Now i must warn you, I am an idiot about memory. So from that it supports 200/266 MHz, but all 1 GB DDR RAM I see says "DDR400" which is 400MHz does that mean I can't install that? Could anyone provide me with links/names to at least 1 GB memory thats cheap and efficient? Thanks you in advance .

Welcome to SAF!

Check the following sites:
http://www.kingston.com/
(this one lets you search by memory type very easily).

http://www.crucial.com/


Once you find the one you want, you can also check the price of it at
http://www.newegg.com/

To find out for sure what is installed on your computer now, go HERE and download the free Everest system analyzer. Install and run it and it will tell you more than you want to know about your system. Find the memory analyzer in the menu and run it, and post with what you are running. I suspect that you have PC 2100/266MHz RAM, but this will tell you for sure.

Also, find the CPU analyzer and find out what processor you are running and what its speed is. That will indicate if you can get faster RAM or not.

You can install a higher speed RAM if you want to and it will run fine, but it will run only at the speed of your CPU's FSB (Front Side Bus), so if you get pc3200 (400 GHz) it will only run at 266MHz because that is what your CPU's Front Side Bus is set at. Generally the higher speed memory (pc2700, pc3200, etc.) costs more, so you don't want to waste your money. Then go to Newegg as Efabes recommended and try the different manufacturers to see what the best buy is.

Hope this helps, post back if you have more questions.

Field Value
Memory Module Properties
Module Name Samsung M3 68L3223DTL-CB0
Serial Number 080E9DA5h
Module Size 256 MB (1 rank, 4 banks)
Module Type Unbuffered
Memory Type DDR SDRAM
Memory Speed PC2100 (133 MHz)
Module Width 64 bit
Module Voltage SSTL 2.5
Error Detection Method None
Refresh Rate Reduced (7.8 us), Self-Refresh

Memory Timings
@ 133 MHz 2.5-3-3-6 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS)
@ 100 MHz 2.0-2-2-5 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS)

Memory Module Features
Early RAS# Precharge Not Supported
Auto-Precharge Not Supported
Precharge All Not Supported
Write1/Read Burst Not Supported
Buffered Address/Control Inputs Not Supported
Registered Address/Control Inputs Not Supported
On-Card PLL (Clock) Not Supported
Buffered DQMB Inputs Not Supported
Registered DQMB Inputs Not Supported
Differential Clock Input Supported
Redundant Row Address Not Supported

Memory Module Manufacturer
Company Name Samsung
Product Information http://www.samsung.com/Products/Semiconduc.../DRAM/index.htm


^ Memory results ^










Field Value
CPU Properties
CPU Type Intel Celeron, 1800 MHz (18 x 100)
CPU Alias Willamette-128
CPU Stepping E0
Instruction Set x86, MMX, SSE, SSE2
Original Clock 1800 MHz
Engineering Sample No
L1 Trace Cache 12K Instructions
L1 Data Cache 8 KB
L2 Cache 128 KB (On-Die, ECC, ATC, Full-Speed)

CPU Physical Info
Package Type 478 Pin uPGA
Package Size 3.50 cm x 3.50 cm
Transistors 42 million
Process Technology 6M, 0.18 um, CMOS
Die Size 217 mm2
Core Voltage 1.75 V
I/O Voltage 1.75 V
Typical Power 63.5 - 66.1 W (depending on clock speed)
Maximum Power 84 - 88 W (depending on clock speed)

CPU Manufacturer
Company Name Intel Corporation
Product Information http://www.intel.com/products/browse/processor.htm

CPU Utilization
CPU #1 0 %


^ CPU results ^


The only problem with newegg is that I live in the UK and I couldn't find anything on the site saying they ship to the UK =/.

You can find it closest to you

http://www.shop4memory.com/products/ddr-ram.asp

QUOTE

Memory Speed PC2100 (133 MHz)

QUOTE

Memory Timings @ 133 MHz 2.5-3-3-6 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS)

CPU Type Intel Celeron, 1800 MHz (18 x 100)
CPU Alias Willamette-128
CPU Stepping E0
Instruction Set x86, MMX, SSE, SSE2
Original Clock 1800 MHz


You have an Intel Celeron running approximately 1.5 GHz, and your memory is pc2100/266 FSB. Since you are running DDR type memory (Double Data bus), your have 133 MHz X 2= 266.

I am positive that there are online mailorder businesses in the UK that are the equivalent of Newegg. Search around, you will find them.