Pentium 2 233 RAM type?

adamone11

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Aug 15, 2000
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Hi, I've become an aquaintance of a Pentium 2 233 w/ 64mb of RAM, and at least one ISA slot. I need to know, without having to open the case (for now) what type of RAM it is likely to be able to take. I have a 64mb DIMM from my old computer I'm wanting to put on it. I didn't get into mobo-specs until more recently, so I don't know what was common back then.

Any guesses?
Thanks,
Adamone11
 

vash

Platinum Member
Feb 13, 2001
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A Pentium2 233 will likely have PC66 SDRAM. This is the most typical case, but it could have simms in them, but I highly doubt it. Your ram may easily work on it, but there is only one way to find out.

vash
 

eLiu

Diamond Member
Jun 4, 2001
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i believe you have EDO RAM...72pin SIMMs...

i have a p2 266...80mb os EDO 72pin stuff
 

benjamit

Senior member
Dec 22, 2000
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couldn't you use sandra or something like it to give you answers?

my p2 333 uses pc 100
 

BreakApart

Golden Member
Nov 15, 2000
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Actually there is a good chance your mainboard will have slots for EDO and SDRAM. The memory offered during the 233 days-(EDO/SDRAM), had similar performance. So the mainboard company had 3 choices EDO -or- SDRAM -or- both.

Crack it open and let us know...
 

mithrandir2001

Diamond Member
May 1, 2001
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Well, you CAN use more than 64MB even with the caching limitation.

I upgraded my P200MMX from 64MB to 128MB of memory and did some analysis. Q3A Demo1 scores went down, Sandra memory benchmarks were unchanged, and general Windows work (web browsing, word processing) was a little faster. Going from 64MB to 128MB reduces Windows' need for disk swapping, but if you app runs in that 64-128MB memory section, it does run slower since it is not cached. It's a trade-off.
 

AndyHui

Administrator Emeritus<br>Elite Member<br>AT FAQ M
Oct 9, 1999
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If you have a Pentium II without an AGP video card, then the RAM will be EDO, as the motherboard is based on the 440FX chipset.

If you have a Pentium II WITH an AGP video card, then the RAM will be SDRAM, as the motherboard is based on the 440LX chipset.

The 64MB cache limitation only applies to Pentium/Pentium MMX processors, NOT Pentium IIs. .35 Micron Klamath Pentium IIs (233-300) are limited to caching 512MB of RAM. .25 micron Deschutes Pentium II processors (333-450) have had the cache limit changed to 4GB.
 

thorin

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
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P2 233 was meant to be paired with PC66 SDRAM.

DEATH
&quot;my p2 333 uses pc 100&quot;
It may have PC100 in it but it's only running it at 66 (PC66). (There's no such thing as a 3.33 multiplier). (5x66 = ~333)

The first P2 that &quot;needed&quot; PC100 was the P2 400. However there may be systems running PC100 at slower speeds or using different multipliers.

Thorin
 

AndyHui

Administrator Emeritus<br>Elite Member<br>AT FAQ M
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Er...actually, the first Pentium II that required PC100 SDRAM was the Pentium II 350MHz.
 

Doggiedog

Lifer
Aug 17, 2000
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My P2 233 440LX PC had PC66 SDRAM.

It would NOT accept PC100 so if you are buying RAM make sure you get the right type.
 

BreakApart

Golden Member
Nov 15, 2000
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As i mentioned earlier...

&quot;they made boards that will except EDO or SDRAM or both for the early P2s&quot;
 

thorin

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
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&quot;Er...actually, the first Pentium II that required PC100 SDRAM was the Pentium II 350MHz.&quot;

Yup you're right....sorry about that guys. I was thinking 333 then 400 in my head I &quot;neglected to recall&quot; the 350.

Thorin
 

adamone11

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Aug 15, 2000
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well, I pulled up system properties and saw a pci-agp bridge... I'm guessing if it has a pci-agp bridge it has an agp slot.

So, does this mean my PC100 will fit into the memory slots it has? (PC66?)
 

AndyHui

Administrator Emeritus<br>Elite Member<br>AT FAQ M
Oct 9, 1999
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Yes. Your system is probably based on the LX chipset and *should* accept PC100 SDRAM.
 

Doggiedog

Lifer
Aug 17, 2000
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My 440LX MB did not accept PC100. It would not detect it and say there was no RAM installed. When I installed PC66, then it worked.

I suppose it is different for each system though.

Mine was a Micron Millenia.
 

Midnight Rambler

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
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<< My 440LX MB did not accept PC100. It would not detect it and say there was no RAM installed. When I installed PC66, then it worked.

I suppose it is different for each system though.

Mine was a Micron Millenia.
>>

Sounds like it has an OEM Intel mobo then ...