newly installed RAM is running slower than it should

[Evander]

I have an ACER 5570Z laptop that came with 2 x 512 MB modules (CPUZ indicated the DRAM frequency at 333 MHz), I removed those and put in a single 2GB module. The BIOS and Windows show that 2GB is installled and everything seemed fine, so I wanted to check my Windows Experience index and was surprised to see the Memory portion drop from 4.5 to 4.4

So I went to CPUZ and noticed that the DRAM frequency of this module was only 266 MHz. But this module is DDR2 667 so it should be showing me 333 MHz like my old modules. If you care to look at the PDF data sheet from Transcend you can check this link:
http://www.transcend.co.jp/sup...67QSU-2G_09-2164_S.pdf

There is no indication that the DRAM Frequency can be manually adjusted in the BIOS. There is a slightly newer BIOS available (1.3508, I have 1.3505) but I plan on contacting ACER (and possibly Transcend) before taking any actions.

I am curious what you have to say about this situation if you've had similar experiences, especially if you were able to resolve it.

Supposing I didn't get it resolved, it's still much better to run 2GB at 266 MHz than to run 1GB at 333 Mhz right? I'm no memory guru, but I'm guessing yes, especially since this lappy has shared video memory. BTW, one of ACER's partner stores is selling this same module at:
http://www.acercomputers.co.za...?brand=0&cat=53&page=4

 

[Trashman]

Could have something to do with the memory not running in dual channel mode, i would think it would be better to have 2-1GB sticks than just 1-2GB.

 

[LittleNemoNES]

Originally posted by: Evander
I have an ACER 5570Z laptop that came with 2 x 512 MB modules (CPUZ indicated the DRAM frequency at 333 MHz), I removed those and put in a single 2GB module. The BIOS and Windows show that 2GB is installled and everything seemed fine, so I wanted to check my Windows Experience index and was surprised to see the Memory portion drop from 4.5 to 4.4

So I went to CPUZ and noticed that the DRAM frequency of this module was only 266 MHz. But this module is DDR2 667 so it should be showing me 333 MHz like my old modules. If you care to look at the PDF data sheet from Transcend you can check this link:
http://www.transcend.co.jp/sup...67QSU-2G_09-2164_S.pdf

There is no indication that the DRAM Frequency can be manually adjusted in the BIOS. There is a slightly newer BIOS available (1.3508, I have 1.3505) but I plan on contacting ACER (and possibly Transcend) before taking any actions.

I am curious what you have to say about this situation if you've had similar experiences, especially if you were able to resolve it.

Supposing I didn't get it resolved, it's still much better to run 2GB at 266 MHz than to run 1GB at 333 Mhz right? I'm no memory guru, but I'm guessing yes, especially since this lappy has shared video memory. BTW, one of ACER's partner stores is selling this same module at:
http://www.acercomputers.co.za...?brand=0&cat=53&page=4

for next time, it is better you install memory in pairs because you get a performance boost due to the ram running in dual channel mode.

 

[Evander]

I added back in one of the 512MB modules I removed. I didn't think it would work b/c the BIOS still only showed 2GB with both modules installed, but I booted into vista anyway to see what would happen. There's good news and bad news. The good news is that the computer feels faster, System properties show 2.5GB installed, and the Vista Experience memory index has been bumped up to 4.8 (though for some reason I had to manually refresh to show the new score).

The bad news is that DRAM frequency is still at 266 MHz, and task manager (as wel as dxdiag.exe) only shows 2GB of physical memory. Though I'm feeling pretty happy now, what's going with that?