Need help with ram

[Master Chief]

Hey guys, I dont know much about laptop memory, but I do need some and I need help. I have a Toshiba Satellite M45-S165. I read about it and it said "Memory specification compliance PC2700", does that mean I can only get 2700, or will 3200 work as well. I have a friend who will sell me his notebook ram, but its a 3200, will it work in my system? Thanks.

 

[neutralizer]

PC3200 will work just fine. It'll just run a speed lower than its specced.

 

[Lord Evermore]

In general, higher speed memory is backward compatible. Most modules are programmed so that they will be detected as compatible with PC3200, PC2700 or PC2100 systems, but there are some that do not have the speeds programmed into the SPD (which is the Serial Presence Detect chip that a mainboard reads to get the memory speed). If the PC2700 compatibility is not programmed in, then most laptops won't work with it, as you can't go in and manually set the memory speed like you can with a home-built computer. Pretty much the only way to find out would be to plug it in. It can't hurt anything to try it (assuming it actually is a DDR SO-DIMM module and you plug it in straight).

 

[Master Chief]

Originally posted by: neutralizer
PC3200 will work just fine. It'll just run a speed lower than its specced.

So it will work but even though its PC3200, it will still run as PC2700?

 

[Master Chief]

Here is a link I found on my laptop.

http://www.mysimon.com/Toshiba_Satellit.../4014-3121_8-31419284.html?showspecs=1

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Master Chief

Originally posted by: neutralizer
PC3200 will work just fine. It'll just run a speed lower than its specced.

So it will work but even though its PC3200, it will still run as PC2700?

bingo

 

[Skeeedunt]

Laptops can be picky, I wouldn't count it as guaranteed (I had trouble with pc133 ram in a dell using pc100). Won't your friend let you try it out first?

 

[Master Chief]

thanks all for all the info., I appreciate it greatly!!