Importance of matching memory

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ken K
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Ken K

I have 256MB DIMM of unbuffered SDRAM, PC133 made by Micron with a
configuration of CAS2 and 32MB x 64, dual rank module and 16
components. (Almost sounds like I know what I am talking about but I
have no idea!) The point is that I want to increase my RAM to 512MB.

The manufacturer of the RAM is Micron. The question that I have is
which of the above factors need to be exactly matched in order for the
RAM to work compatibly, which is to say do I need to find exactly the
same manufacturer model or can I mix and match? (Any recos if I can mix
and match??)

Thanks
Ken K
 
Ken K said:
I have 256MB DIMM of unbuffered SDRAM, PC133 made by Micron with a
configuration of CAS2 and 32MB x 64, dual rank module and 16
components. (Almost sounds like I know what I am talking about but I
have no idea!) The point is that I want to increase my RAM to 512MB.

The manufacturer of the RAM is Micron. The question that I have is
which of the above factors need to be exactly matched in order for the
RAM to work compatibly, which is to say do I need to find exactly the
same manufacturer model or can I mix and match? (Any recos if I can mix
and match??
Click to expand...

It's more than just CAS latency that should match. tRAS, tRP, tRCD also
should match, and maybe the chip density. The good Micron memory
and Crucial memory are the same thing. Get Crucial's phone number from
http://www.crucial.com, call them, and give them the Micron module number.
They should be able to match your module.

-- Bob Day
http://bobday.vze.com
 
I have 256MB DIMM of unbuffered SDRAM, PC133 made by Micron with a
configuration of CAS2 and 32MB x 64, dual rank module and 16
components. (Almost sounds like I know what I am talking about but I
have no idea!) The point is that I want to increase my RAM to 512MB.

The manufacturer of the RAM is Micron. The question that I have is
which of the above factors need to be exactly matched in order for the
RAM to work compatibly, which is to say do I need to find exactly the
same manufacturer model or can I mix and match? (Any recos if I can mix
and match??)
Click to expand...
In an ideal world you should use matched memory but TBH I've seen so
many mixes and matches in my time that its pretty much become a non
issue.
 
I agree. In most computers just whack anything in. It will tell you if it
doesn't like it.
BruceM
 
Ken K said:
I have 256MB DIMM of unbuffered SDRAM, PC133 made by Micron with a
configuration of CAS2 and 32MB x 64, dual rank module and 16
components. (Almost sounds like I know what I am talking about but I
have no idea!) The point is that I want to increase my RAM to 512MB.

The manufacturer of the RAM is Micron. The question that I have is
which of the above factors need to be exactly matched in order for the
RAM to work compatibly, which is to say do I need to find exactly the
same manufacturer model or can I mix and match? (Any recos if I can mix
and match??)

Thanks
Ken K
Click to expand...

It really depends on the motherboard. Some will accept anything without a
hint of a problem, others won't boot unless all the ram was hatched from the
same egg.
 
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