Should I add generic SDRAM to brand-name PC100 SDRAM?

[Jingleheimer]

Currently, I have two brand-name 128Mb sticks running at PC100 in my ABIT KT7-RAID with an 850Mhz Thunderbird. I am wondering if it would help if I put in two more 128Mb sticks, although they are generic and I'm not sure if they are PC100 or not. This would bring my overall memory up but I remember reading somewhere that your computer will only run at the slower memory speed. Is this correct? If so, would it still help to add these memory sticks. Thanks.

Jon

 

[littletemple]

Huh, trying getting rid of all of your pc-100 ram and get 2 sticks of 256 MB PC-133 from crucial with cas 2. This would be much faster than your pc-100 no matter what brand. It should total about 60 bucks or so with free 2nd day shipping. HOw many dimms do you have in your board?

 

[chizow]

Its not that simple littletemple. His mobo and cpu need to be able to support 133mhz FSB. If the mobo only does 100FSB, then yah, you won't hurt your performance any by putting in a stick of generic PC133 with your PC100, the PC133 will just run at PC100 specs, the max allowed by your mobo. Btw, do you have 4 dimm slots? Even if you do, you'd be better off with 2 sticks of 256 megs. Generic is gonna be cheap, so the difference in price is probably nominal. Also, I'm not all that sure how much of an increase in performance you are expecting. For general use (gaming, business apps, e-mails, internet, movies, cd writing etc.), more than 512MB is a waste.

Chiz

 

[Wind]

W/ KT133 chipset mobo...FSB rarely go beyond 110 FSB. Thus, adding generic RAM should be fine but just make sure tht ur mobo support those generic PC133 RAM. If those r PC100...no probs.

If those r PC133...ur system will still run those RAM at 100 Mhz.

Performance increase ? Depends on OS & application u r running. Win2k & XP will take advantage of the more RAM.

 

[Jingleheimer]

From original poster:

Actually, I need to clarify. I already have two generic sticks of RAM. I am not considering purchasing the generic sticks. If I put in the generic RAM (which might not be PC100 but possibly less than PC100), will this decrease my current RAM performance since it might make all of my RAM run lower than PC100 (if my generic RAM is less than PC100).

P.S. I'm running WinXP and doing mostly business applications and video editing.

Thanks for the posts so far.

Jon

 

[chizow]

If you are running default, then you are running 100FSB which means you are running your PC100 at PC100 specs. I don't have that board so I don't know for sure, but I don't think you can underclock it to say maybe 96FSB. You can underclock PC133 to PC100, but that is because 133mhz FSB BIOS' allow for lower FSB settings. PC100, PC133, PC2100 etc. are industry standard terms for how fast RAM is rated. If you buy generic PC100 RAM, it will run at 100mhz FSB. If it doesn't, then you need to return it.

Chiz

 

[Spikesoldier]

Just plop in the generic ram. If there's any noticable performance decreases then remove it. Simple as that.