Mixing RAM types?

[Sunny129]

i have a friend who owns a Dell Dimension XPS 400. he has 64 MB of SDRAMin his system and wants to get 64 MB more. He could call Dell and probably pay top dollar for them to send him another 64 MB of RAM, but of course he would be guaranteed to get the same module he is using now. if he were to shop around and find 64 MB SDRAM, would a different brand work, or is it bad to mix chip type? also, could he run a 64 MB module and a 128 MB module at the same time to make 192 MB SDRAM, or is it bad to mix size too?

 

[Bignate603]

he should be able to mix as long as he buys the same specs like speed and cas settings if he isn't overclocking. And don't worry bout mixing sizes, you can do that.

 

[dadx2mj]

Mixing size is no problem I have 2x64 and 1x128 I am not sure if Dell's memery is spesific to Dell try a stick from your computer and see if it works if it does then there should be no problem.

 

[Santan]

the memory should work as long as there compatible with the FSB...

However the memory will clock down to the lowest speed...8 ns mixed with 7.5 will clock down to 8...

just fyi

RIck

 

[Sunny129]

cool...thanks for all the advice guys. i appreciate it.

 

[etech]

Sunny129, I'd suggest your friend look at Crucial. You can enter your system and they will list the compatible sticks. Crucial is good memory, it isn't the cheapest but is a good value.

You can mix both speed ranges and sizes of memory. I have run 64meg PC100 with 128meg PC133 before with no problems. I would suggest with the low memory prices that he go with 128 meg PC133.

The computer model number that crucial showed is the Dimension XPS R400
crucial

128MB SDRAM, PC133 CL=2 Non-parity CT182479 $73.09

You may not need the PC133 speed, but I would get it for future upgrades or resale value.

Use this link to save a little more crucial

 

[WetSprocket]

I've never had a problem with this on Intel machines but my KA7 Doesn't like mixing different size modules. So in some instances this can cause problems.

 

[Yossarian]

Check the manual for your friend's Dell, if he doesn't have the paper copy it's available online if you use the service code thing. There are only certain combinations of RAM that are supported on the XPS R400 mobo, look it up before you start buying stuff.

--short break to go into living room--

Here's what the manual says is supported, as far as what applies to you:

Bank 0/Bank 1/Bank 2

64/0/0
64/64/0
128/0/0
128/128/0
128/128/128

So it looks like you CAN'T use 128+64.

 

[Sunny129]

thanks for the crucial links and the memory bank support guys...i'll look in to it.

 

[etech]

I stand corrected, I hadn't heard of motherbords that didn't support different size dimms.

What chipset is on there?

 

[Sunny129]

the mobo is an Intel SE 440BX, which has the 440BX chipset as the name suggests...

 

[thorin]

I mixed some PC100 and PC133 (running at 100) on the weekend and got memory errors left & right & all over. So I had to ditch (it became a hand-me-down for my brother) the PC100 and go with 192 instead of 256.

PC100 64mb
PC133 64mb
PC133 128mb

Thorin