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    Upgrading RAM with non matching chip

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by mrmknet, Aug 21, 2008.

  1. mrmknet

    mrmknet Newbie

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    I have two chips 1GB each of DD2-533 RAM installed on my laptop, and the motherboard is claimed to support DDR2-533 only..
    My local markets dont have DDR2-533, instead they have DDR2-667,
    I want to change one of the chips with 2GB to get 3GB total RAM......
    What will happen if i install a 2GB DDR2-667 beside 1GB DDR2-533 on my motherboard which isn't claimed to support DDR2-667...
    ===Will the 667 chip be underclocked to work as 533? then no problem with me...
    ===Or The motherboard will be fried? so I should not do this upgrade..

    If anyone has tried before to do this scenario, sharing his experience will be much appreciated
    Thank you very much
     
    mrmknet, Aug 21, 2008
    #1
  2. maxpower47

    maxpower47 Notebook Guru

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    The 667 will just run at 533, assuming no compatibility issues.
     
    maxpower47, Aug 21, 2008
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  3. TehSuigi

    TehSuigi Notebook Virtuoso

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    Any DDR2 RAM module can run at any speed slower than its specifications.
    i.e. DDR2-667 RAM modules can run at DDR2-533 or DDR2-400.
    It'll downclock to what the other module installed is or your chipset's limit, whichever is lower.

    I had DDR2-533 512MB and DDR2-667 512MB modules in my old TravelMate, and both played along just fine.
     
    TehSuigi, Aug 21, 2008
    #3
  4. powerpack

    powerpack Notebook Prophet

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    Will not be a problem. But what notebook do you have? All DDR2 is compatible for the most part.
     
    powerpack, Aug 21, 2008
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  5. K-TRON

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

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    I second Powerpack, it will work without any problems. Most of the time the memory cells are made by the same manufacturer even though the stickers can be different.

    K-TRON
     
    K-TRON, Aug 22, 2008
    #5
  6. mrmknet

    mrmknet Newbie

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    Thank you all for your support

    so I should go for the 667 chip eventhough the laptop manual says only DDR2-533..
    They are all compatible but will downclock to 533.... Am I correct?
    No probabilities for malfunctions?
     
    mrmknet, Aug 22, 2008
    #6
  7. K-TRON

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

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    Yes, the Pc5300 667Mhz memory will automatically downclock to Pc4200 533 Mhz speeds.

    This question is very common, cause when buying notebook memory, pc5300 is usually cheaper than the slower pc4200.

    K-TRON
     
    K-TRON, Aug 22, 2008
    #7
  8. mrmknet

    mrmknet Newbie

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    Thank you very much..
     
    mrmknet, Aug 22, 2008
    #8