Is it ok to use faster RAM ?

Hi guys,

my girlfriend has a Toshiba Satellite L35-S1054 which came with 1GB of RAM. There are four slots for upgrading RAM, two of them already have 512MB and uses PC2-4200 DDR2-533 SODIMM Memory.
I've been able to find 512MB chips for $19.98, so for around 40 bucks I can upgrade her to the maximum of 2GB.

My question is, since I've got a new Dell coming that uses PC2-5300 DDR2-667 and only has two RAM slots (2 x 512) , can I put those in the Toshiba? I think it would just run @ the 533mhz speed, but would it not be "dual" because 2 of the chips will be slow mhz or does this laptop even work like that ? Even if that doesn't allow for dual channel, I'd rather have 2GB in this slow computer.

The reason why I would want to do this is to save that $40 for buying two 1GB chips for my Dell. (bestbuy has it for 29.99 this week!)

Thanks

 

It should just clock them down to 533 MHz. 4 slots really?

 

Your laptop has two slots.

 

1. If you're buying faster memory than your mobo can support, you're wasting money.

2. If your Toshiba REALLY has 4 slots, its a good idea to match all four chips, but you probably won't notice a speed decrease.

3. I'm with Greg. You have two slots. You're going to be buying RAM for both laptops.

 

I figured as much, but I ran one of those checkers online and it says

It figures that this is wrong. So it looks like I'm going to be buying two 1GB sticks for both computers

 

Its possible the mobo has the interface for the extra ram but the chance that toshiba actually installed an interface is slim to "I doubt it."

 

Looking again, it also say

So that's confirming there are only two places to install RAM, right ?

 

I think the chipset would probably have a 4 slot capability if anything (not sure though), so it is possible that program is 'semi-right.'

Just cancel the order and get what you really want, if you still have the time.

 

The only thing I have on order is my Inspiron 1520, Im not canceling that because I can't use the RAM in this Toshiba I'm on

They have 1GB PC5300 at bestbuy here in town that is for the 1520, for 30 bucks. I'm getting two of them, I was thinking of putting my two 512mb chips in the Toshiba, but I don't have four slots in it apparently. All's good, I found some cheap ram for the Toshiba too.

 

If anything, if you just want better or bigger (more) RAM for the Dell, just get a set of dual channel 1GB x 2 for 2GBs total of the PC2-667 and move the Dell installed RAM to the Toshibe. Now it may not clock to DDR667 but it may have better timings at DDR533 then older RAM you had in it before.