How can I find out what the max RAM speed is?

[ECUHITMAN]

A friend of mine gave me an older computer (P4 1.8 Ghz) except it has no ram. I can tell from looking at the MOBO that it uses DDR but I do not know what speed it could use. If the max for the MOBO is PC 2700 and I put PC 3200 in it would it work? Could doing something like that damage anything? Is there anyway using a program find out what the max ram speed is for the MOBO?

BTW I do not have a manual for the comp, and it is not a mainstream (i.e. HP, DELL, etc.) computer. I also do not know the make or the model of the MOBO.

 

[Amorphus]

you can put a PC3200 stick in a PC1600 max mobo, the PC3200 will just run at the PC1600 speeds. the PCxxxx rating is only the top official speed supported by the RAM, you can still run it slower than spec'd.

 

[Ionizer86]

Yea, buy some better ram especially if the cost is only very slightly more than slower ram. 3200 ram will serve as "fast, quality" 2700, and 2700 runs well at 2100, etc.