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    Will PC3200 run faster than PC2700 in my laptop?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Smashy, Jun 18, 2006.

  1. Smashy

    Smashy Notebook Consultant

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    I've got a Ferrari 4005WLMi and I'm planning to switch the current 2x 512MB PC2700s to 2x 1GB PC3200s. I read a post by ZaZ saying that (in the person's particular IBM model maybe?) using a higher frequency RAM will only clock itself back down to the PC2100 that he had in there orignally.

    I understand that my lappy is compatible with PC3200 RAM, but will it be faster than PC2700?

    Can someone clarify this for me? Thanks!
     
    Smashy, Jun 18, 2006
    #1
  2. miner

    miner Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Yes, it will.The only time a RAM will work at lower than its rated speed is when

    1. It is not supported by the MB. As in if the laptop has a max limit of PC 2700 and you buy PC3200, then it will downclock itself to the slower speed.

    2. If you mix a slower memory with a faster memory, in such a case the memory will run as fast as the slowest one.

    Since you are completely switching the memory slots with PC3200 memory, then it should run at PC3200 which is faster than PC2700, but the difference is pretty minimal(comparing 2GB PC3200 with 2GB PC2700) and wont notice it, except in benchmarks.
     
    miner, Jun 18, 2006
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  3. Iter

    Iter Notebook Evangelist

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    Generally, PC3200 is faster than PC2700. If your laptop can support DDR400, it is better to choose faster one, but it is hard to find out a big difference when running a application between of them.
     
    Iter, Jun 18, 2006
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  4. vassil_98

    vassil_98 Notebook Deity

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    The most significant real time difference comes with shared video cards (x200). The video card benefits greatly from the faster shared memory.
     
    vassil_98, Jun 18, 2006
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  5. Photoguy30523

    Photoguy30523 Notebook Consultant

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    what does the m170 has?
     
    Photoguy30523, Jun 18, 2006
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  6. Smashy

    Smashy Notebook Consultant

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    Smashy, Jun 18, 2006
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  7. NetBrakr

    NetBrakr Notebook Deity

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    The m170 has PC2-5300 DDR2-667 and PC2-4200 DDR2-533

    JC
     
    NetBrakr, Jun 18, 2006
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