Question about RAM on v3000

right now my v3000t has 200 pin DDR2 533MHz(PC2 4200) SODIMM (i think) and the two slots are both 256mb sticks. if i were to upgrade, like exchange one of the 256mb sticks for a 1gb stick, would i have to use ddr2 533mhz or could i use ddr2 667mhz?

 

You can use DDR2 667MHz but it will run at 533MHz since your stock 256MB has a maximum of 533MHz. If you remove all of your stock memory then the 1GB stick will run at 667MHz.

 

ok thx, so i'd be better off just sticking with the 533mhz then

 

No, what he meant is that if you have a memeory stick that only runs at 533mhz, and you try to install a stick that has 667mhz. The 667mhz will clock down to the slowest memory. but if you took out all the sticks that are running 533mhz, then you put in sticks that are only 667mhz. then it will run at 667mhz

 

Hi obeserabbit,
I believe what miner said was your system will default to the lowest common denominator and that if you were to put a 1 gig stick of 667 MHZ ram in and take out the other 533MHZ 256 stick out, your system will run at the 667MHZ ram speed. So if your planning on adding more 667 MHZ memory down the road you would be better off to get the 667 MHZ. Also you can run bench marks with the 533 MHZ stick in and out and see how much difference it makes. That is close to 20% increase in memory speed that will make a noticable difference in performance.

 

Up to now, the best deal is to have 512M whatever speed from HP, and dump it whenever you like. You only pay $160 to get 2GB DDR2 667 RAM, but you pay $250+ if you get 2GB DDR2 533 from HP. 512MB is mostly enough for XP, and 1GB seems not enough for VISTA according to some review.