overspec RAM cause instability?

shogunofnewyork

Junior Member
Apr 14, 2003
9
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Hi all! I just got off of the phone with Gateway tech support, who told me something I find pretty hard to believe. I have a laptop w/ these specs:

1.5GHz P4M
i845 chipset
1 256MB stick DDR266 (stock w/ computer)
1 256MB stick DDR333 (Kingston)

I sent my laptop in for servicing a few weeks ago and since then, I have been getting hangs crashes and even a blue screen on a system that used to be perfectly stable. What's more, my machine is noticibly slower, too. However, all that is just background for my question. When the guy asked me if I had changed any of the stock hardware, asking specifically about RAM, I mentioned that I had added a stick, but that I didn't think it was a problem because it was name-brand and overspec for this system. He freaks out and says that i should only run DDR266 because DDR333 can cause problems. My understanding is that the BIOS sets the timings on the RAM. It's not like the BIOS on this system is going to try to run the RAM at 333 just because the RAM can run that fast, right? I told him that I have run RAM underspec in plenty of machines, with no problems whatsoever. Am I wrong about this? Can anyone provide me with a link that might back me up when I talk to him again? Thanks in advance for any help/info anyone might be able to give me.
 

cow123

Senior member
Apr 6, 2003
259
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i really.. really doubt its a problem but hell maybe u might wanna undervolt it a tad if running below spec
 

thorin

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
7,573
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Ok well there's a simple way to find out. Remove it and test the system.....rocket science.

Thorin
 

Lord Evermore

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
9,558
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No need for links really, he's just wrong and trying to stick with what he thinks he knows and what the manuals say (can't overcharge people for slower products if they think cheaper newer stuff can work). If the BIOS detects the memory and runs it at the proper speeds, it will work. Just because it's spec'd for a higher speed doesn't mean it won't work at lower speeds. Only some PC133 modules don't work properly at lower speeds when using auto-detect in the BIOS, because the modules are only programmed for 133MHz settings; setting it manually resolves that; no such issue exists with DDR memory yet. Of course, if he thinks you're trying to run the memory at 333MHz, then he'd have a case.

Trying to get pages proving this would be like trying to get pages proving that 93 octane gas is okay to use in a Honda Civic and that you don't have to use 87 octane.