RAM Help - differences between PC3200 333 MHz and 400MHz

[lesch2k]

edit thanks to rebate monger for the answer.
turns out i have ddr2 and i need ddr.
end edit

I have am currently running 4x128 MB of PC3200 DDR @ 400 MHz.

Wanted to upgrade the RAM but ran into a bit of a problem. The ram i got doesnt fit in the slot (notch is in a slightly different place) and it appears to be PC3200 @ 333 MHz.

Is there a difference between these 2 types of RAM that are both PC3200.

The shape of the memor chips looks a little different as well...

Any advice you can offer.

This is the RAM i purchased:
link to ebay auction
Was the autction title accurate relative to the picture included:


THANKS !

 

[DSF]

There's no such thing as PC-3200 @ 333Mhz. The PC-XXXX and DDR-XXX numbers are giving you more or less the same information in a different format. DDR-333 is PC-2700.

Are you sure you have the RAM oriented the right way? The notch on DDR is slightly off center - if you turn the module around it may fit. This is to prevent people from inserting it in the wrong direction. When you say the shape of the chips is different, do you mean the green printed circuit board, or the smaller black chips?

 

[lesch2k]

Thanks DSF, I'll try to provide a bit more info.

The shape of the green PCB is slightly different on the 2 modules. I aligned them one on top of the other and notch is about 1/8 " away on the 2 RAMs. The difference here is smaller than if they were upside down.

The smaller black chips are different sizes on the 2 sets of RAM as well

 

[RebateMonger]

The modules you purchased are DDR2 chips, not DDR. A quick giveaway is the "PC2" designation on the module.

 

[DSF]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
The modules you purchased are DDR2 chips, not DDR. A quick giveaway is the "PC2" designation on the module.

And the fact that the auction is a listing for DDR2. Can't believe I didn't notice that.

Unfortunately those modules won't work in your motherboard. You need DDR-400, which is PC-3200. As RebateMonger said, PC-3200 and PC2-3200 are two different kinds of RAM.

 

[GundamF91]

The DDR2 notch is different, that's why they don't fit on your DDR slot. You need DDR-400, aka PC-3200 (just multiplier DDR rating by 8). By the way, DDR-400 is still capable of running at 333mhz.