What ddr2 pc2-4200 ram is right for me??

Morning all
Here we go. Have vaio ar-190g 2mb max allowed? Just ran a crucial mem scan on system. They say windows will reconize up to 3/3.5 mb in a 32 bit system. If this is true would it hurt to stuff 4mb into the two available slots?? Looking to upgrade cpu from t2500 to the t7200,74,7600 series shortly.
A bb /geek squad mem told me memory is memory. I don't find this to be very accurate. With ocz xtc,mushkin extreme, axiom, crucial ballistix and the list goes on and on. She must have been running on low octane not the racing gas.
Will be hard pressed to find the above listed with a 200 pin 533mhz. But here again I think the ddr2 pc2-5300 is 677mhz. I do understand my system will never do more than 533. The geek squad lady said the 5300 would work. Just DON'T WANT TO BUY A LAMBORGINI FROM A HYUNDAI SALES PERSON.
Any help and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
David M.
ps. The new bat last's just over 2hr!!

 

She's right for the most part. Most memory comes from the same few companies anyways, what you buy are just rebadged from ODMs. For example, if you read the actual modules and Google the part, you will find most ODMs use Hynix, Samsung, Micron, etc. You can use faster memory but it will downlock it to the maximum supported by your chipset. However, faster memory isn't useful in any real life situation except if you game on integrated graphics, so get the cheapest memory with lifetime warranty and you will be fine. Not sure about the questions regarding your specific system though.

 

Any well-known brand is good and they are the same...

In fact, most are using Samsung chips since Samsung has the largest market share in DRAM chips. Therefore, you will most probably be purchasing a Samsung RAM even though the package says Crucial, OCZ etc.


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taz069, not all BB geeks spread fud.

RAM is RAM - what I suggest is buy two matched modules (sell your old RAM when you have verified the new ones work).

Don't buy simply on spec's - buy on spec's and above. Why above the spec's? Simple... the lower spec'd parts are now a step away from sitting in a museum and command a higher price because of scarcity. A higher spec'd module will downclock as noted to match your chipset, but it may cost up to 3 times less (depending on when and where you looked for those parts).

If you can; buy with a return policy - run multiple MEMTEST instances overnight with the new modules and once they have successfully run with no errors, sell your old modules (or keep them as 'backup').

Good luck.

 

Thank you
Sgogeta4,Ramgen,Tilleroftheearth.
Was very weary of trying a differnt combo of 533,vss 677 etc. As long as it is of 200 pin sodimm I'll be good. I'll check around and look at prices.
And tiller the older ones are a little harder to find. And do cost about as much as a 677 or 800. The newer ones are cheaper now that you mention it. Learning a lot. Sorry for being so slow p3 256.
Will be back soon! Have a gas grill to fix. If it's not one thing it's two.
Thank you so much again.
David M.

 

Well haven't been gone 20 min and found 2mb ddr2 4200, ctml brand,533mhz,200 pin out of a dell xps, on ebay for 27.00. Could not pass it up.
Thanks again
David M

 

taz069, I sure hope you meant 2GB (not 2mb...).

Otherwise, glad you got it for a good price.

Cheers!

 

Aparently a typo... Is it ever possible to find a 2mb DDR2 card in the world???


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My bad 2gb (1x1). Said I was slow just forgot to mention not thet goood at typing either.
Thanks
David M.

 

ramgen, glad it was a typo as you were sure of too.

I was just worried about taz069 being 'scammed' by an unscruptulous ebay'er.

DDR2 2MB modules don't have to exist - there just has to be a need for them before someone magically 'has' them on ebay (ime).

 

Good afternoon
Tiller you and H.A.L. 9000 have been very helpful in this build up of old dinasor part's. So sorry to slow you down!! But thank you again for all your help.
Still trying to save for the cpu and the hard drives. Momentus Xt is looking good to my favor for the hard drives. Still haven't looked into it enough.
One paycheck at a time.
Thanks All
David M

 

Morning all
Recieved my 2gb ram 9-18. Got it installed and it has helped!! Can tell a big differnce in google earth's formating to 1080p. Faster, and fasterr.
Thank you
David M

 

taz069,

Good to hear that you not only received/installed your new RAM but that it has a tangible benefit for you.

Did you run multiple instances of memtest overnight on it so that you know the new ram is 100% compatible and error free with your system?

BTW, did you get 2GB total or, 4GB total?

Cheers!

 

Tiller
Been down for a week. Norton anti virus self updated and lost internet connection.
No have not run multiple memtest. Don't know how will take any suggestion on how!!!!
I recieved 2, 1gb mem chips. The only way I can put 4gb ram in this system is to goto a 64 bit system not the current 32. I do have my eye on the t7600 series intel cpu. It's supposed to be a drop in just will have to upgrade bios to the ar-290g platform. We'll see. Just saving up to do it.
Thanks again
David M.

 

taz069,

Norton is the virus.

Download this file (memtest):

See:
MemTest for Windows Download Page


Make sure your computer is plugged in before starting the test.

Make sure you disable any auto sleep or hibernation states (you want the computer to stay on indefinitely).

Start memtest.exe and begin testing - leave this 'instance' running and click on the memtest.exe file again and begin testing with a new 'instance'. Continue with two, three or four 'instances' of memtest so that all/most of your RAM is being used.

Leave the computer on overnight and check in the morning if there are any RAM errors (or if the computer has locked/frozen or even shutdown).

With all instances running (with no errors) when you check a few hours later (at least 8Hrs), then you can be pretty certain that the RAM will be reliable for you.

Good luck.

 

Thanks Tiller
Will give it a try this evening. Have some catching up to do. Have a nice one.
Thank you
David M.