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Thread ID: 31295 2003-03-17 22:18:00 Can you put faster ram in a slower machine? robo (205) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
128925 2003-03-17 22:18:00 I should know this, I think I know this. If I put 133MHz ram into a 66MHz socket, it will work, won't it?
In the old days, I remember if you used a mix of 80ns and 100ns it would run at 100ns.

Anyone know for sure? I need some ram for an old slow laptop and the 66MHz seems hard to get.
robo.
robo (205)
128926 2003-03-17 22:47:00 Yes, provided the other parameters are met (such as singl/double sided RAM)

I have successfully used 100 Meg RAM in a 66 Meg slot. Runs at 66 Meg of course.
godfather (25)
128927 2003-03-17 23:17:00 you also have to worry about the speed of the ram ( not the bus speed ie: 66/100/133 ) but 60ns vs 6ns for example.

the wider the gap ( in speed ) the more likely for problems. It might seem stable on boot, but load it ( the ram ) and the system may start to do weird things! and its hard to diagnose a system that has tempermental ram!

:-)
minos (3185)
128928 2003-03-18 10:59:00 not to sure what minos is on about here, however 133mhz ram will be fine in a 66mhz slot. it will simply run slower and proberly more stable than 66mhz ram. only catch i can think of is some mobos had jumbers to alter the voltage of the ram(a lot more than the overclocking voltage todays boards have)so it would pay to check. tweak'e (174)
128929 2003-03-18 11:10:00 I put a cheap 133 Mhz Sodimm in a old 66 Mhz laptop and caused no end of trouble!

timings, older boards not liking double sided and no SPD info.

swapped it for a more reputable brand and it ran sweet as a nut.

Cheers,

Ecko
ecko_nzed (652)
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