VAIO VGN-S380 RAM speed and CPU-Z question

My S380 has a 1GB stick of RAM that runs at 400 MHz (it has Infineon HYB18T512 800 AFS chips on it). However, when I run the system info program CPU-Z, it says that my RAM's running at 200 MHz and is PC3200. Can anyone tell me what the deal is?

 

Yes, the physical speed at which the your memory runs at is 200 MHz. It is doubles to 400 MHz, because it is DDR2 memory. DDR stands for Double Data Rate, which means that it can perform at memory speeds that are twice as fast, as the actual memory clock. It is nothing to worry about, and is very normal.

 

Thanks for the reply, that makes sense.

The next question I have is somewhat related to this. My system supports up to 533 MHz RAM. I read that if I run a dual channel set up, that it will just run at 400 MHz as opposed to 533 MHz. I know my current RAM can't hit 533 MHz. Is there any way to get 2 sticks to run at 533 MHz? If not, I might as well save some money and just get 1 additional 400 MHz instead of buying 2 new 533 MHz sticks.

 

If the notebook supports 533 MHz, then there should be no problem running both modules of RAM in dual channel, and at 533 MHz. However, dual channel gives such a small performance increase, it simply isn't worth it. Also, thers no point in running RAM at 533 MHz, if your system bus cannot use the extra bandwidth. That is, if you have a Pentium M, with a 400 MHz FSB (7X5 models), then there is little point upgrading to 533 MHz. But if you plan to upgrade, almost all the memory on the market for notebooks is 533 MHz, so you might as well. How much actual memory is there in the notebook?

 

I currently have 1x1GB 400 MHz RAM and an additional open slot, which is what it came with. I want to have a full 2GB of memory. I have an Intel 915 chipset that supports 533 MHz.

 

Then you can upgrade to 2 GB quite easily. When you do upgrade, both modues will run at 400 MHz, which shouldn't decrease performnace if you have a Pentium M 7X5 model.

 

So basically, you're saying I shouldn't bother with getting 2 new sticks that run at 533 MHz?

 

Sorry I didn't myself clear. The number of 533 MHz modules that are on the market, mean that you will probably have to get one. Its not a problem, as the modules can downclock to 400 MHz. The thing is, if you are running a 533 Mhz Pentium M, then the 400 MHz frequency of the modules, somewhat reduces performance in memory and processor intensive applications. However, if you are just using the notebook for word procesing and surfing the Internet, then by all means keep the 400 MHz modules there, and purchase a newer 533 MHz module.

 

OK, thanks for clearing this up.