SDRAM PC 133 Memory Question

[burnselk]

I need help selecting SDRAM memory for my HP Pavilion Model 7955 which uses PC 133 SDRAM. I currently have 512MB (two 256MB sticks which occupy 2 of my 3 DIMM memory slots). I'd like to increase this memory to 1GB (that's the max for my computer) and I need advice. I note that PC133 SDRAM memory comes in different types, like CL 2 or 3, unbuffered (and I suppose buffered?), non-parity (and parity?), ECC (or not), etc. I need advice on exactly what I need to look for and purchase. By the way, HP will charge me to talk to them about this and they'll still be winging it (my own experience). So, I think you guys can help me much better. Do I need to be concerned about putting new memory in any particular slot? Would a third 256MB stick help that much (giving me 768MB)? Would it be worth the effort/money or should I just go for the 1GB? To save money, should I go with two 512MB sticks or would one 1GB stick function better than two 256MB sticks? Is the Cas Latency that important? Is CL=2 better than CL=3, if so why? Any help or comments would be most appreciative. If I forgot about anything important, let me know....I need advice before I go shopping. Thanks guys.

[PrntRhd]

Go to Crucial's site, they have a configurator that will match the memory, their memory is guaranteed 100% compatible and also guaranteed for quality.
http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.asp?Mfr%2BProductline=HP+-+Compaq%2BPavilion+7900+Series&mfr=HP+-+Compaq&tabid=AM&model=Pavilion+7955&submit=Go

[Erik]

You also need to check and see how much RAM is supported by the PC. Just becuase you can physically fit the sticks into the motherboard doesn't mean it will be recognized. I have not heard of 1GB PC133, but it might exist.

If it were me I would just buy another 256MB stick and leave it at that. You will be hitting other problems with a PC that old anyway, so I wouldn't be spending tons on upgrading it.

[burnselk]

My old HP can only go to 1GB total RAM.

According to Crucial....one 512MB stick will cost me $95+ tax.....x 2= $200.....way too much to spend on an old system.

If I can find an inexpensive 256MB, I may go for it....but otherwise I'm going to forget about the memory upgrade. You guys have convinced me of that.

[PrntRhd]

SDRAM is more expensive these days.
I would try finding some in older PCs being retired or on EBay or Craigslist.

[jlreich]

Try Corsair and Kingston's websites. They also have a memory guide and they tend to be cheaper than Crucial.

Figure out what part number they say will work with your computer then check on Newegg for the best price for the same ram. ;)

[Erik]

I have picked up old PC133 SDRAM on eBay pretty cheaply. I think I got like 1GB (4x256MB) ECC RAM for a server for like $50 or so. You should be able to pick up one 256MB stick pretty cheaply, especially since you don't need ECC RAM.

[saphalline]

Newegg has decent prices on 256MB sticks, but anything larger than that is definitely going to be expensive. Only a handful of chipsets for PC's supported 512MB sticks, and 1GB or larger was only found on servers. Thus were the old days of SDRAM.

Nowadays with DDR and DDR2 RAM, things have changed considerably. 1GB sticks are easily supported by most modern PC's, and some DDR2 mobo's support 2GB sticks. 4GB and larger sticks are found on servers, with the quad-CPU mobo's supporting up to 48GB of RAM.

Price is the main concern with SDRAM. For less the price of one of those 512MB PC133 sticks of Crucial, you can get a 1GB stick of DDR or DDR2 on Newegg. This puts SDRAM at over twice the cost of DDR or DDR2, and it's slower to boot! Adding another 256MB stick isn't out of the question, but you have to realize that SDRAM is old, slow, and expensive now. It's time to move on...

[Erik]

Heck I am still running a few servers on my home network that use SDRAM. I found that while looking to upgrade them all to 1GB of RAM that the stuff is still pricey, but deals can be found if you are patient and look hard enough. I wouldn't bother buying new SDRAM at this point, as mentioned it is on its way out. However a few dollars to keep an old PC going for another year or whatever for a person on a budget isn't a bad idea.

Like I said I have some servers that still use the stuff, dual PIII Dell PowerEdge I got cheap, and am glad I came across deals for it. For some people and some uses it is all that is needed. Try eBay and other sources for old used RAM, just be careful of who you buy from so you get working RAM and what you need.

[Barbwired]

I am about to try to do the same only I have a custom built
machine, so I hope it is easier.
I got out my motherboard manual. I have ASUS CUSL2
JumperFree PC133 - AGP Pro/4x
It says it supports Intel Pentium III Coppermine or Celeron processors, so I could upgrade my processor; as my book says system CPU bus and PC133 SRAM must be same speed. So my PC133 is at 256 so I can go up to 512 and that is it unless I change more than just add memory.
You need your motherboard manual.

[saphalline]

Ah, the infamous CUSL2, bested only by the later model TUSL2, with chipsets i815EP and i815EPT/ET respectively. Nice, very nice. Try to match your new stick of RAM with the old one, but it doesn't absolutely have to match. Stick to the good RAM manufacturers, as mentioned in this thread.

You need your motherboard manual.There is no mobo manual for an HP, or any other OEM. Sometimes you get lucky and an OEM uses an off-the-shelf mobo, but generally not. HP includes a "system manual" but it's useless for RAM compatibility cr@p like this.

[Erik]

OT, kinda. I remember back in the day getting a Gateway and they actually used all off the shelf parts (for the most part anyway), and included the manuals for all of the parts. I was even able to overclock the PC a bit!!

Of course this was a Pentium 100MHz PC with like 16MB, or was it 32, of RAM and a 2GB hard drive. :D