high density vs. low density

[xyyz]

i have an fic samba 1845gv that i want to upgrade. i want to add 2gb to the system, but i'm not entirely sure what type of ram i need to purchase.

i'm sure it's based on the intel 845gv chipset, which means it can support up to 2x1gb PC2700/PC3200 modules.

the problem is that i'm not sure what modules will work with the system.

according to crucial's website, it uses this kind

the price is well beyond what i want to pay for the modules.

i'm getting some ram much cheaper, but it's listed as high-density 128x4 and not the 128x64.

but reading something, i gathered that the 128x4 is the configuration while the 128x64 is the density?

can someone please help with my confusion?

what are the exact specs of the RAM i need to purchase to push this to a 2gb system?

 

[ArenaNinja]

Hiya! If you're looking at PC2700/PC3200 make sure you choose 184-pin RAM (DDR). DDR2/3 won't be compatible, so it looks like you're on the right track.

Also, crucial is a good choice, but have you considered other brands? If so, here's a link for 10% discount off Kingston memory. Also, newegg had some nice OCZ for around $139 (it comes out to around $157 after taxes and shipping).

Unfortunately, DDR is no longer the current standard, so prices are jacked up as most manufacturers are no longer making it (at least that's my theory). As for 'specific RAM you need', keep in mind the following (usually these categories appear in sites that sell you mem):
- Desktop memory
- 184-pin DDR SDRAM (just DDR is fine. Also, DON'T choose RDRAM)
- You should go for PC3200 (aka DDR 400), as the price diff between 3200 and 2700 is minimal

Edit: you could buy two of these, which are priced at $42.25 each. It looks to be OK, though I'm not sure if anybody has ever used this type of RAM... However, lifetime warr is only $5.99.

 

[xyyz]

thanks, but i know this. i know i need DDR and not DDR2. i'm not looking to purchase the crucial, i was merely using that as an example.

i need to know if 128x4 and 128x64 are the same or not. high density doesn't work on all chipsets, whereas low density is much more compatible. i rather not pay the premium for low density modules if the 845GV chipset supports high density modules.

 

[tcsenter]

Originally posted by: xyyz
I need to know if 128x4 and 128x64 are the same or not. high density doesn't work on all chipsets, whereas low density is much more compatible. i rather not pay the premium for low density modules if the 845GV chipset supports high density modules.

No consumer Intel chipsets support x4 DRAM. The server chipsets do if its on registered DIMMs, but not unbuffered.

128x4 = chip organization
128x64 = module organization

All non-ECC 1GB modules are 128(M)x64 no matter the chips used, but not all 1GB modules are made from 128Mx4 chips.

I would not recommend 1GB modules for such an old chipset. Technically, the chipset can support 1GB modules but these were not available when most 845G boards were in active production, thus few motherboard makers ever got around to testing many of them on 845G boards and BIOS.

I would stick with 512MB modules made from 32Mx8 chips. Much more likely to work, almost guaranteed. But if you really want 1GB modules, they need to be made from 64Mx8 chips.

 

[lopri]

Agree with tcsenter. And I would personally avoid crucial's DDR if I can. Their chips are way hotter than others.