PC133mhz memory backwards compatible to 66mhz??

[ruatechnut]

I have read that 133mhz memory is backwards compatible with 100mhz system but am wondering if it would be backwards compatible down to 66 mhz? My father in law has a 3 1/2 yr old Gateway that has 66mhz dimms & this would provide a cheap performance boost since there are alot of good deals on PC133 mhz memory.

 

[uhohibrokeit]

PC133 means it will run up to 133MHz.. it can run slower if you want... shouldhave no problem at 66MHz...

but with an old gateway you better make sure its using SDRAM DIMMS and not EDO DIMMS... ive seen many older gateways that use DIMMS that look like normal SDRAM, but they are in fact EDO.. which means your SDRAM PC133 DIMMS will not work in it

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

yep, uhohibrokeit hit the nail on the head.

the "pc133" or "pc100", etc. rating on ram is its top speed, it can run at any slower speed just fine.

watch out for the sdram vs. edo ram though

 

[VBboy]

Just what they said.

And a small comment... It's better to buy PC133 than PC66 because when you decide to throw out that aged Gateway, you will be able to use PC133 RAM in another system, like with a Duron. PC66 won't work in anything new.

** PriceWatch.com, NewEgg.com