A question about memory.

[KeyserSosa]

I don't know a great deal about computer hardware so this is probably a pretty simple question. I have a K7V VIA KX133 ASUS Slot A Motherboard with 128mb of PC133 SDRAM. I want to upgrade by buying another 256mb of RAM. Does it matter what brand or amount of memory it is as long as it is PC133 SDRAM. I'm thinking of getting this memory:

256 MB, 168 Pin (SDRAM) w/ SPD Eprom @ PC/133Mhz

from pccanada.com

First and I'm 99% sure that this is the correct memory for my motherboard.
Second is it ok to have one stick of memory at 128mb and another of 256mb or should they both be the same size.
Finally just out of curiosity is it possible to figure out what kind of memory you have without popping the case and looking at the RAM itself (i.e. from within windows).

Thankyou for the help.

 

[pay]

The two different sticks should work fine. That memory looks generic to me. If I were you I'd go to crucial.com and buy a 128mb stick from them. You can specify your motherboard and it will give you compatible kinds of memory, and theres also free shipping

 

[KeyserSosa]

Yup I went there and said that my motherboard was a K7V but when I clicked go it says that my chipset is VIA KT133 whereas my manual says KX133. Is that a problem. I don't think it is but I want to make sure.

 

[KeyserSosa]

So it is not a good idea to mix different amounts of ram (ie a 128 stick and a 256 stick)?

 

[drewski]

I don't think the mis-identification of the chipset s/b a big deal. The kx133 was replaced by the kt133 when the t-birds went from Slot A to Socket A. I don't think it affected the memory.

You can mix different sizes of DIMMs just fine. It was the old SIMMs where you needed to install in pairs.

Sounds like you're in Canada, so the Crucial free-shipping may not work for you (don't really know though).

What OS do you have? 384MB could be overkill for non-NT/Win2k installations.

 

[drewski]

Oh, and are you a Kevin Spacey fan, a fan of The Usual Suspects, or neither and your login just greatly resembles something from that movie?

 

[KeyserSosa]

Yeah I'm a big fan of Usual Suspects and my user name was supposed to be KeyserSoze but I was tired when I created the account and frikking spelt it wrong... lol.

Thanks for that info.

I have win98 but I run some graphics programs and play some demanding games. I was just going to upgrade to 256 total but I figured 256 was so cheap that I decided to just by another 256mb chip. They do offer free shipping in Canada funny enough so I will probably go with them. Not many better prices around than that even when you factor in our brutal exchange rate.

Thanks for the help.

 

[BigToque]

The RAM from PCCanada is Micron/Infineon. It's Good stuff. I was about to buy 256MB from them yesterday (but common sense came up :|).

As far as mixing different sizes/brands, as long as both sticks of memory can run on the same FSB (in your case 133MHz), and run at the same CAS Latency, then you will be fine.

Will you have any problems by adding this 256MB stick of RAM? Not at all, so go for it while its cheap

 

[Apple]

Crucial ships free to Canada too:

<< Orders shipped to Canada will receive free FedEx International Priority 1 shipping. All orders shipped to addresses outside the contiguous US and Canada or via any other method will be charged our normal rates. >>

 

[KeyserSosa]

True but once you factor in the exchange rate the memory at pccanada is cheaper by $50-$10. The ram at pccanada in micron but I'm not sure what the memory at crucial is.

 

[CraigRT]

The memory at Crucial is Micron

seeing as they are the same thing.

if you order from Crucial you are getting Micron RAM. the chips on the RAM module have a little MT i think it is. stands for Micron something or other. anyways yeah, the RAM at Crucial.com is a great value.. quality RAM for a good price... they get my vote.. I've ordered from them 3 times.

 

[KeyserSosa]

hehe it's a tough decision.... pccanda or crucial.... it is hard to say the price of crucial once you factor in exchange rate and any customs charges. but crucial is probably more reliable.