Need help picking my RAM

[grEnAlEins]

I want to upgrade my RAM. I have tried to read things on the web and some forums, but am still a bit confused. What does the RAM voltage have to do with compatibility? Can I adjust it via some setting or is it automatically done? What speed RAM should I get to work at an optimum with my MB and CPU? I know how much I am getting already, 2GB (2 x 1GB). I ran CPU-Z and will list some of the outputs if needed. Also, what does Latency have to with the performance? What is the difference between bus speed and rated front side bus?

Thanks,

Nick

[Glickman]

What does the RAM voltage have to do with compatibility?

Chances are you don't have to worry about the voltage. The only time you really have to is when you are over clocking. It wont pose any problems with compatibility though. To overclock, people raise their operating voltage alongside with other things for performance increases at the price of system stability (usually)

Can I adjust it via some setting or is it automatically done?

Yep, when you are booting up, depending on what board you have it should say like "press delete to enter BIOS"

once in the BIOS, you can change a ton of settings to fine tune your computer. its best to get the help of someone experienced though for this because you can easily fry your CPU/RAM this way.

What speed RAM should I get to work at an optimum with my MB and CPU?

The way i pick ram is quite easy. look at the max supported clock speed for the motherboard. i use DDR2 667. to upgrade, i merely buy more physical sticks of it (ie. 1 gig or 2 gigs)

Also, what does Latency have to with the performance?

computer speed is all about bottle-necking. The more things you have suppressing your capacity, the slower the computer will run. Latency is the amount of time it takes for the CPU to tell the RAM it needs to be accessed and the time it takes to start accessing the data. "ultra low latency" ram only provides up to a 10% increase in performance at a huge price point, so thats not something to worry about.


if you want some more help, feel free to post your motherboard type/model and we can help further.

[grEnAlEins]

System info

This is some of the output from CPU-Z, a tool from CPUID.
Mainboard:
Manufacturer: Dell
Model: OM3918
Chipset: Intel i915P/i915G Rev: B1

*I was not able to find any record of this actually being a motherboard but I am told that it is likely to be this one

CPU:
Processor:
Name: Intel Pentium 4 520
Spec: Intel Pentium 4 CPU 2.8 GHz
Clocks:
Core Speed: ~2793 MHz
Multiplier: x14
Bus speed: 199.5 MHz
Rated FSB: 798 MHz

*HT is enabled, so I have one core with two threads.

My main question is can I use DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) RAM because my rated FSB ~ 800MHz or should I use what is currently in my system, which is DDR2 400 (PC2 3200)? I have also read that DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) would be best.
There is more output from CPU-Z that I can post if that is any help. Just LMK what information is needed.

Thanks,

Nick

[personman]

This is some of the output from CPU-Z, a tool from CPUID.
Mainboard:
Manufacturer: Dell
Model: OM3918
Chipset: Intel i915P/i915G Rev: B1

*I was not able to find any record of this actually being a motherboard but I am told that it is likely to be this one

CPU:
Processor:
Name: Intel Pentium 4 520
Spec: Intel Pentium 4 CPU 2.8 GHz
Clocks:
Core Speed: ~2793 MHz
Multiplier: x14
Bus speed: 199.5 MHz
Rated FSB: 798 MHz

*HT is enabled, so I have one core with two threads.

My main question is can I use DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) RAM because my rated FSB ~ 800MHz or should I use what is currently in my system, which is DDR2 400 (PC2 3200)? I have also read that DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) would be best.
There is more output from CPU-Z that I can post if that is any help. Just LMK what information is needed.

Thanks,

Nick

I seriously doubt you have DDR2 400 in your computer, because it doesnt exist.
You have DDR-400 in your computer and thats what you have to replace it with, unless you want to replace your motherboard (and your processor).
There weren't any p4 compatible mobos to my knowledge that use DDR2.

If you are simply adding to your current ram, you should probably match the speed of it. If you are replacing your ram, it doesnt matter. Just pick up the cheapest 2x1gb kit of DDR400 ram that has good reviews. Brand name and latency does not matter. All you need to worry about is that its DDR400 and the best deal you can find

edit: I take that back, apparently pc2-3200 does exist, but I dont know why the hell anyone would want to buy it.. but it will not physically fit in your motherboard so dont even try it

[grEnAlEins]

edit: I take that back, apparently pc2-3200 does exist, but I dont know why the hell anyone would want to buy it.. but it will not physically fit in your motherboard so dont even try it

DDR2 400 (PC2 3200) is the Dell recomendation for my system. LOL. I asked my not so local Dell Support dude and/or chick just this morning.

The type of memory supported by the system is 400-MHz (PC2-3200) DDR2 unbuffered SDRAM non-ECC.

My question is that because my CPU has an FSB @ ~ 800 MHz, can I use DDR2 800MHz (PC2 6400) without effing my computer up or doing anything too crazily screwy?

This is the mobo that I have, I think.

[personman]

Well now, don't I look stupid.
I don't know the answer to your question about the FSB.

[tribalman]

I want to upgrade my RAM. I have tried to read things on the web and some forums, but am still a bit confused. What does the RAM voltage have to do with compatibility? it's for overclocking Can I adjust it via some setting or is it automatically done? well, normally you can adjust it. but being a dell, probalby not. they like to lock down their system board's BIOS. can't change much. What speed RAM should I get to work at an optimum with my MB and CPU? you can use PC2-3200/PC2-4200. I know how much I am getting already, 2GB (2 x 1GB). I ran CPU-Z and will list some of the outputs if needed. Also, what does Latency have to with the performance? What is the difference between bus speed and rated front side bus?well......if they are calling what i think they are those two terms, they are incorrect terms. basicly one is addresses for memory, the other is a data bus.

Thanks,

Nick

and for the latency http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/200...lways_better/1
i always prefer to get the lowest and tightest bunching of timings. btw, ddr1 is going to have much lower and tighter timings than ddr2. don't be supprised to see 6-6-6-15. it's normal for ddr2.