RAM upgrade most likely answered before

[killercow]

Ok I have an ECS K7S5A mobo (not the USB 2.0 version). I have a stick of PNY 256MB DDR RAM. PC2100 I believe.
Question #1:
Can I intermix 2 companies ex. PNY 256MB DDR RAM. PC2100 I believe. and Crucial memory of the same specs.
Question #2:
Can I inermix the PC? Ex. PNY 256MB DDR RAM. PC2100 I believe. and Crucial/PNY (depending on the answer to the last question) running at PC2700
Question #3:
What does "PC" stand for?

Thanks KC

[Budfred]

1.) Most likely. That board is pretty forgiving and I mixed brands on it without any problem.

2.) Most likely. The RAM will run at the lower speed at best, but that is still fast.

3.) I don't have a clue.... I assumed it was just a reference to PCs (meaning Personal Computers), but now that you ask, I don't know....

[killercow]

Thanks, I'm starting a series of upgrades which will come along this summer as cutting people's grass brings in some money. The first is going to be more ram. Second will possibly a faster processor. And If I happen to feel like changing the Mobo I will. The FSB is a little slow and if I do switch the Mobo and processor I will try (dependant on finances) to get an Intel based mobo and Pentium 4 processor. Any mobo ideas?

[killercow]

Ok will THIS (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?description=20-144-202) Ram be ok with my PNY 256 PC2100?

[Budfred]

I am thinking that it will be, but I would wait for other responses before buying it. I read someone's comment that faster DDR RAM has problems with some backwards compatibility. I don't know enough about RAM to advise you safely on this one. You might want to check on Kingston or Crucial's website to see what they say about it...

[BigBlue66]

I think the PNY and Kingston will play together nicely on that particular board. I wouldn't try it with some of the other boards out now, though.

And as Budfred has already pointed out, the Kingston PC2700 will run at PC2100 speeds. I would caution that you install the faster RAM in the first DIMM slot that the board reads from. If there is no discernable difference from reading the manual, then install the faster RAM in the DIMM slot closest to the CPU socket.

Backwards compatibility is probably not a problem with the Kingston RAM, but may be a problem with some of the speedier RAM offered by Kingston, Corsair, etc.

The bright side is that Newegg has an outstanding RMA service, so not to worry. If problems result, sent it back.

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Here (http://www.pcguide.com/ref/ram/techSDRAM-c.html) of course :rolleyes:

One place where people run into trouble in this regard is that they take the reciprocal of the "nanosecond" rating of the module and conclude that the module can run at that speed. For example, the reciprocal of 10 ns is 100 MHz, so people assume that 10 ns modules will definitely be able to run on a 100 MHz system. The problem is that this allows absolutely no room for slack. In practice, you really want memory rated slightly higher than what is required, so 10 ns modules are really intended for 83 MHz operation. 100 MHz systems require faster memory, which is why the PC100 specification was developed
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KC,
Why mix RAM when the both of them are relatively the same price? You won't gain anything by using faster speeds other than possible problems. Just order what your board can run and keep them all the same.

[killercow]

)FTT One reason I dont just get the same speed is becsue I'm not sure of the speed. I got the 256mb off Ebay without the original package. It says 3 speeds on it. PC2100, PC2700, PC3200. So if it was originally 3200 then ill be slowing it down a bit. If it was 2100 ill be slowing the upgrade down. If it was 2700 im in luck.