Quick question: Is PC3200 100% backward compatible w/ PC2100?

[statik213]

i.e. will a stick of PC3200 DDR work on a mobo that takes only PC2100?

 

[RichUK]

yes, its speed will simply be reduced to the boards max official memory speed, and keeping the same stock memory timings, also with correlation to the CPU's rated FSB speed etc of course..

 

[rwalterk]

Originally posted by: RichUK
yes, its speed will simply be reduced to the boards max official memory speed

+1

it shouldn't be a problem

 

[mechBgon]

The main issue that can rear up and bite ya is voltage. My fleet of A7N266-VM's comes to mind. They have one voltage setting for RAM: 2.5 volts. Put in some RAM that's built for 2.7-2.8 volts, and they may not be stable. And guess how I know that? I learned it in my Reality+ certification course. 😉

If your mobo allows voltage adjustments, then don't mind me 🙂

 

[statik213]

ok, so exactly what's the deal with the voltages? Does the mobo autoselect the voltage?

 

[JEDIYoda]

there actually is no no voltage issue......
because only a very old Mobo would not be able to throttle down the clock speed to the lowest possible deniminator!

Have fun!!

 

[statik213]

'k, just wanted to confirm things.

 

[bob4432]

in theory yes, but every so often there will be this one bastard m/b that it will not work with, so i would say you are 99% ok.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
there actually is no no voltage issue......
because only a very old Mobo would not be able to throttle down the clock speed to the lowest possible deniminator!

Have fun!!

If the memory ICs are built for a higher voltage and they can't get it, then the computer may not be stable no matter what speed the RAM is operating at, as my A7N266-VM experience showed. Read some Micron DDR IC specsheets sometime, if you're really bored 😉

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

RAM voltage can bite you in the bottom regions whether you get PC2100 or PC3200. But the answer to his question is: yes, PC3200 memory is 100% compatible with PC2100 motherboards.

 

[n7]

99% chance you'll have no issues.