Will PC4200 memory (ie 533MHz) can replace PC3200 (400MHz) - beingDDR2 ?

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Hi

I use a ECS Motherboard model L4VXA2 that supports 533MHz

I currently use a PC3200, ie 400MHz bus memory.

If I put a PC4200, will it work - I understand that PC4200 is a DDR2
technology.

Thanks
 
@ earthlinkSPAM.net said:
Hi

I use a ECS Motherboard model L4VXA2 that supports 533MHz

I currently use a PC3200, ie 400MHz bus memory.

If I put a PC4200, will it work - I understand that PC4200 is a DDR2
technology.
Click to expand...

No, it's not... DDR2 is DDR2 technology.

My P4C800E works fine with PC4200 DDR 533 memory.

Of course if you're using a CPU with 533Mhz bus speed you only need DDR 266
memory. Even an 800 Mhz P4 CPU uses DDR400 memory at a 1:1 ratio.
 
Hi

Thanks;

I am running DDR 400 memory - a matched pair of 256 MB - but it has a
total of 3 slots so there is one vacant.

My CPU is 533 FSB - should I upgrade to PC4200 so that I get the full
FSB of 533?
 
Hi

Thanks;

I am running DDR 400 memory - a matched pair of 256 MB - but it has a
total of 3 slots so there is one vacant.

My CPU is 533 FSB - should I upgrade to PC4200 so that I get the full
FSB of 533?
Click to expand...

P4 with 533 "FSB" is a quad-pumped (4X) 133MHz clock rate FSB.
DDR for 133MHz is (2X) 133, (X8) = ~2100... PC2100 memory is all
you need, certainly NOT PC4200.
 
Is your argument strictly true if there are only multiples of 2 memory
slots - ie either 2 or 4 slots for memory that are matching (configuration).

I have 3 slots on the motherboard for memory.

Pls clarify me?
 
Is your argument strictly true if there are only multiples of 2 memory
slots - ie either 2 or 4 slots for memory that are matching (configuration).

I have 3 slots on the motherboard for memory.

Pls clarify me?
Click to expand...

It's not an argument unless you have some reason to disagree?

It does not change based on 2 or 4 slots or any other (anything).
 
Hi

When I look in the Bias, it shows that the current FSB as 100 - I am
using a pair of matching memory of 400MHz, each 256MB.

It also shows 512 MB as the memory size.

So its using it as 512MB memory of 400 FSB - therefore the BIOS shows as
100 since somehow P4's has a factor of 4.

So I feel that I can go to PC4400 (or PC4200 - as long as the meory is
DDR adn NOT DDR2) and therefore my bias would shoe 533/4 = 133 (instead
of 100).

Is this correct?
 
@ earthlinkSPAM.net said:
Hi

When I look in the Bias, it shows that the current FSB as 100 - I am using
a pair of matching memory of 400MHz, each 256MB.

It also shows 512 MB as the memory size.

So its using it as 512MB memory of 400 FSB - therefore the BIOS shows as
100 since somehow P4's has a factor of 4.

So I feel that I can go to PC4400 (or PC4200 - as long as the meory is DDR
adn NOT DDR2) and therefore my bias would shoe 533/4 = 133 (instead of
100).

Is this correct?
Click to expand...

I have some magic beans if you would like to buy them!

Seriously though you clearly have no understanding on this subject what so
ever. PC3200 is the fastest DDR RAM your Mobo is spec'd to use, anything
faster would be a great waste of money as you wouldn't see any benefit from
it. That is unless you happen to have the Mobo that is coloured purple and
happens to be the L4VXA2 V1.0C, this supports PC2700 Max so in that case the
PC3200 would already be faster than required.
 
@ said:
Hi

When I look in the Bias, it shows that the current FSB as 100
Click to expand...

Then your processor is a 100Mhz clock/400 Mhz Data rate P4.
- I am
using a pair of matching memory of 400MHz, each 256MB.

It also shows 512 MB as the memory size.

So its using it as 512MB memory
Yes

of 400 FSB
Click to expand...

No. The memory is DDR, which means it's data rate is twice the clock
frequency. Your clock is 100 MHz so the DDR is running a 200 MHz data rate.

However, your PC3200 is rated for a 200 MHz clock (3200/16) for a DDR rate
of 400 (3200/8) so it's being run at half it's capability.

There's no reason to buy even faster RAM to run at even less than half it's
capability.
 
Hi

When I look in the Bias, it shows that the current FSB as 100 - I am
using a pair of matching memory of 400MHz, each 256MB.

It also shows 512 MB as the memory size.

So its using it as 512MB memory of 400 FSB - therefore the BIOS shows as
100 since somehow P4's has a factor of 4.

So I feel that I can go to PC4400 (or PC4200 - as long as the meory is
DDR adn NOT DDR2) and therefore my bias would shoe 533/4 = 133 (instead
of 100).

Is this correct?
Click to expand...

No, either your CPU is underclocked to be running at 100MHz FSB,
or you don't have a 533 FSB P4. Recheck the specs on your CPU
and determine it's current operational frequency.

Either way, it matters not as it relates to the memory, because
your memory only needs to support the speed the motherboard sets,
it doesn't run at IT'S rated speed. Memory bus is only DDR (2X)
while FSB is quad-pumped (4X). In other words, memory bus is
half of FSB speed in Data Rate terminology. Some boards support
+33 mode, and given the market it might be cost effective (allow
upgrading CPU and motherboard in future without buying memory
again) to buy PC3200, but there is no need to do so to support
your current hardware.

Again, you need nothing more than PC2100 memory.
 
Hi David,

Thanks;

So if I use PC2700 (instead), would it show the current FSB clock to be
something higher than 100MHz, say 133 or 166 MHz.

You did make sense and at present with PC3200, it shows
current FSB clock = 100 MHz
DRAM = 200 MHz in the BIAS!

Pls see one question below:

David said:
Then your processor is a 100Mhz clock/400 Mhz Data rate P4.



No. The memory is DDR, which means it's data rate is twice the clock
Click to expand...
some people say that P4's has a factor of 4 - so should it be 400 MHz
data rate?
 
@ said:
Hi David,

Thanks;

So if I use PC2700 (instead), would it show the current FSB clock to be
something higher than 100MHz, say 133 or 166 MHz.
Click to expand...

No, the FSB is set by the processor.

Not to mention, why in the world would you expect slower memory to run faster?
You did make sense and at present with PC3200, it shows
current FSB clock = 100 MHz
DRAM = 200 MHz in the BIAS!

Pls see one question below:



some people say that P4's has a factor of 4 - so should it be 400 MHz
data rate?
Click to expand...



The P4 quad pumps the data bus, which is 4x, but that has nothing to do
with the memory, which is DDR and 2x.
 
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