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    RAM not running at optimum speed

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by keebz, Jan 16, 2009.

  1. keebz

    keebz Notebook Consultant

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    I just installed 2 new 1GB sticks of PC2-5300 667 MHz Ram into my computer. However, according to CPU-Z, the DRAM frequency is only 199.5 MHz. Should it not be at least near 667?
     
    keebz, Jan 16, 2009
    #1
  2. Michel.K

    Michel.K 167WAISIQ

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    What notebook do you have?
    Just because you install 667Mhz ram it doesn't mean that it will run at that speed, your notebook(CPU) decides what is the best speed for your memory.
    Your memory speed is 200*2 = 400Mhz as it's dual data rate. So i guess you have a pretty old notebook? :)
     
    Michel.K, Jan 16, 2009
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  3. Tinselworm

    Tinselworm Notebook Deity

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    i think he has a Dell XPS M1530
     
    Tinselworm, Jan 16, 2009
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  4. Andy

    Andy Notebook Prophet

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    Which CPU is it ?
     
    Andy, Jan 16, 2009
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  5. Tinselworm

    Tinselworm Notebook Deity

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    i think he has a T8100 or more likely a T8300
     
    Tinselworm, Jan 16, 2009
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  6. keebz

    keebz Notebook Consultant

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    Sorry guys, this is actually for my Desktop Dell Dimension 4700. I put new ram in today for the first time, left the two 256mb's in, and added two 1gb modules. It is certainly faster, but not crazy fast. I have 2.5gb ram in total.
     
    keebz, Jan 16, 2009
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  7. Tinselworm

    Tinselworm Notebook Deity

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    Tinselworm, Jan 16, 2009
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  8. K-TRON

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

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    according to what i can find, the dimension 4700 has a maximum memory support of 4gb pc5300 667Mhz memory.

    What is the speed of the memory that came with your system?
    If the two 256mb cards are ddr2 pc2 3200 than that would explain the 400mhz clock speed of the memory.
    By removing the older memory cards, the memory will run at 667Mhz speed

    K-TRON
     
    K-TRON, Jan 16, 2009
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  9. keebz

    keebz Notebook Consultant

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    cool, thanks guys. hopefully it says the speed/pc-3200 on the two 256mb modules in the system.
     
    keebz, Jan 16, 2009
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  10. keebz

    keebz Notebook Consultant

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    oh and a simple question..if i remove the two 256mb modules, i will be going from 2.5gb to 2gb ram. lets say the ram modules operate at 667mhz then, so will I see an increase in speed?

    basically -- will removing the 512 mb of original ram have a worthwhile effect
     
    keebz, Jan 16, 2009
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  11. Big Mike

    Big Mike Notebook Deity

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    Probably, DDR2 667 is quite a bit faster than DDR2 400, and the ddr2 667 memory probably has no SPD (timing information tables) that low so it could well be running extremely loose timings. But trying it is the easiest way to tell, I'm pretty sure the speed will trump having that little bit of extra ram.
     
    Big Mike, Jan 16, 2009
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  12. keebz

    keebz Notebook Consultant

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    cool thanks i will try
     
    keebz, Jan 16, 2009
    #12