Will this RAM mess up my e1405?

I just ordered an e1405 with 1.86GHz Core Duo 667Mhz. It comes with just half a gig of RAM and I would like to upgrade that to at least 1 Gig. My friend has volunteered to give me a 512MB ddr2 533MHz 200-pin RAM for free and I was wondering if this would work with my computer. I understand that the processor is 667Mhz so I was wondering if using a RAM clocked at 533MHz will cause any catastrophe. Thanks.

 

nothing will happen, the 667Mhz RAM will run at the same speed as the 533.

 

Yeah, there shouldnt be any issues with using that RAM. Just make sure to run Memtest after installing the RAM to make sure the RAM is good and stable.

 

great!! Thanks guys. You rock!

 

It appears like I might have celebrated a bit too soon. Now my friend tells me the RAM he's got is not a 533 but a 333 (he's not sure himself).

Samsung 512MB 2Rx16 PC2-3200S -333 - 12 - A3

So it looks like it's newegg time. Since my first post, I looked closer at my invoice and I realized that the 512MB RAM that's coming with the e1405 is actually a 533.

512MB DDR2 SDRAM 533MHZ, 1 DIMM [311-5847]

It doesn't say if this is PC4200 but I'm assuming that's what this is. Now considering the fact that the slower RAM will set the pace, it makes sense to get a 533 RAM. However, is it reasonable to get a RAM clocked at 667 so I can use it in the future in case I choose to upgrade the other one? First of all, I've made a big assumption here...does the FSB frequency in the chip description dictate what kind of RAM you can use? Because if that assumption is false, I'm out on a wild goose chase. Thanks.

 

Well the difference between 667 and 533 is hard to tell(I cant tell on my cousins dv5000 which has two 533 512MB sticks). If the laptop has 667RAM, go for the 667,since two of the same speed is better than one at varying speeds. Yes FSB does tell you what ram to use pretty much.

If the ram your friend has is ( hmmm 333*2=667) It could be DDR2 but since its PC3200, doubtful.

 

Thanks for the response, Bhatman. At this point, I'm almost sure the laptop is coming with the 533 RAM. I got this right off the Dell laptop invoice

Memory 512MB DDR2 SDRAM 533MHZ, 1 DIMM [311-5847]

So my question is, suppose I wanted to get 512 now and then wanted to upgrade to 1.5 in about a year. That would mean replacing one of the two 512s and I'm wondering if it's better to get a 667 512 so I can upgrade by a 667 1 GB RAM when it's time to go to 1.5GB. Does that make any sense?

 

Its better to have an even amount of memory so it can run better in dual channel mode(im not sure). You could put a 1GB stick and keep a 512, but there would be a difference with 2 X 1GB sticks

 

Dual-channel doesn't provide much of a performance increase - more RAM is always better. I'd keep that 512MB and buy yourself a 1GB module, they're not expensive - $70-$85 per stick. Check www.newegg.com.

Also, 533MHz vs. 667MHz doesn't make much of a difference either - the 667MHz RAM has more bandwidth, but is also at a disadvantage because it has a CAS latency of 5 . . PC4200 (533MHz) has a CAS of 4 typically.

 

Chaz, so are you suggesting I get a 533 or 667 1GB module? Also with the configuration I have 1.86GHz Core Duo, do you think 1.5GB might be overkill or am I going to see considerably better performance compared to just 1GB. Thanks!

 

If you already have 533MHz RAM, then stick with 533MHz. It isn't worth spending more money for 667MHz.

Depends on what you want to dow with the machine. Since the E1405 is incapable of gaming, I'd say you won't see much of a difference between 1GB and 1.5GB . . however, the 1GB sticks are relatively inexpensive. I would suggest getting one of those . .never hurts to have more RAM. It will be very helpful for Windows Vista too, as posted.

 

Well thanks a lot, Chaz....so 1GB 533 it is!