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DDR PC2100 - will PC2700/3200 @ same voltage (2.5) downclock to it without problems?

Turbonium

Turbonium

Platinum Member
I'm thinking of upgrading an older system from 1 GB to 2 GB of RAM. The motherboard only accepts 2.5 V RAM. So does that mean I can install faster RAM at the same voltage, and it will downclock to the motherboard's supported speed (PC2100 / 266 MHz)?

Motherboard is an Intel D845BG (assuming the chipset matters).

All my research points towards being able to do this, as long as I match the memory pairs. I'm just posting here to make sure, as I don't really feel like breaking anything.
 
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Sometimes higher voltage rated DIMMs will operate fine at lower speed & voltage and sometimes they won't boot at all without the extra voltage being slammed to them.
Run 2.5v DDR and you'll be fine.
 
As long as the RAM is rated to run at 2.5V it doesn't matter what speed it is labeled as, it will downclock to the max supported by the board.

One thing to watch out for though, if this is an OEM board (in a Dell, HP, etc) it may be picky about the specific memory sticks it will accept.

If you haven't bought them already and are buying new, might use the memory matcher tool at micron.com to select the correct (guaranteed to work) sticks.

If buying used, for an OEM build, roll the dice...

Good luck either way.
🙂
 
I take it if I install RAM requiring higher voltage (2.65 V), it won't boot (as mentioned by a poster above), or if it does, it will be unstable.
 
I agree with Denithor.

I tend to stick with Crucial or Kingston RAM for upgrading just about any board to avoid compatibility issues. Assuming of course the board supports the capacity of memory one wants to put in it.
 
mikeymikec said:
I agree with Denithor.

I tend to stick with Crucial or Kingston RAM for upgrading just about any board to avoid compatibility issues. Assuming of course the board supports the capacity of memory one wants to put in it.
Click to expand...
The RAM I was thinking of putting in is Kingston, but 2.65 V. 🙁
 
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