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    Checking RAM type; DDR2 & DDR3

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Tomassi, Oct 28, 2008.

  1. Tomassi

    Tomassi Notebook Consultant

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    Today I added 2GB of RAM to my notebook. I bought it online and it should be DDR3. However, I didn't receive any 'original' packaging with it, so I wasn't able to verify this myself. The notebook itself is also brand new, and the 2GB RAM that already was in my unit oughts to be DDR3 as well.

    Now I just ran this program: http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php. See attached screenshot for the result.

    It says I've got 4GB RAM in my unit, however it reports 'DDR2'!? I'm afraid I can't doubt on the rightfulness of this program, but just to be sure, could anyone suggest a good second way to check and confirm the type of RAM that is in my unit?

    Question 2: Is it still possible that the RAM that originally aready was in my notebook actually is DDR3, and that only the RAM that I put in myself today is DDR2? (I can understand the CPU-Z program above cannot report to different types.) Or wouldn't it even be possible anyway for my computer to function if indeed the two RAM slots were filled with different types (DDR2 and DDR3)?
     

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    Tomassi, Oct 28, 2008
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  2. millermagic

    millermagic Rockin the pinktop

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    What model notebook is it? Does windows recognize all of the memory?
     
    millermagic, Oct 28, 2008
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  3. Tomassi

    Tomassi Notebook Consultant

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    Sony VAIO VGN-Z590

    The Windows Vista 'Welcome Center' reports the full 4GB.
     
    Tomassi, Oct 28, 2008
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  4. Xonar

    Xonar Notebook Deity

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    Check the "SPD" tab in CPU-Z. It should report your RAM as "DDR3". If it does, then you have DDR3, if it says DDR2, then you have DDR2.
     
    Xonar, Oct 28, 2008
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  5. Tomassi

    Tomassi Notebook Consultant

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    If that's true that would be truly great, see attachment

    Any explanation for the difference between what the tabs report??
     

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    Tomassi, Oct 28, 2008
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  6. Lithus

    Lithus NBR Janitor

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    That's obviously DDR3 RAM since DDR2 sodimms don't go up to 1066 MHz. CPUZ is made for desktops, not laptops.
     
    Lithus, Oct 28, 2008
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  7. gerryf19

    gerryf19 I am the walrus

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    reason-lazy programmers
     
    gerryf19, Oct 28, 2008
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  8. powerpack

    powerpack Notebook Prophet

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    DDR2 and DDR3 are not compatible. You could not physically install the wrong type (short of lots of insane effort) because of slot location on the two types.

    Good to see you have the correct RAM and all is well. :)

    And yes us notebook users are not very high on the radar of the CPU-Z programmers. Oh well. ;) :)
     
    powerpack, Oct 28, 2008
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  9. gguan

    gguan Notebook Consultant

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    HI I am suffering from the same problem. My CPUZ program says that I have DDR2. But Im suppose to have DDR3. Also, when I look at slot 1 and 2 of SPD it ays DDR2 as well. Does that mean Lenovo jipped me?
     
    gguan, Dec 19, 2008
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  10. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

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    Are you sure lenovo jipped you. You may be mistaking Gddr3 laptop video card memory with ddr3 system memory.
    What is the model of your lenovo laptop.

    Having ddr2 memory is better than having ddr3 memory, because its just as fast and its much cheaper to upgrade than ddr3 memory.

    K-TRON
     
    K-TRON, Dec 19, 2008
    #10