Old ATi RAGE chipset - upgrading video RAM

[Mini-Me]

Howdy.
:)

I have here an old Compaq SFF, Celeron 400MHz(Slot-1), with embedded ATi graphics.

The graphics sub-system is based on an ATi 3D RAGE PRO TURBO AGP chip.

The motherboard has 4MB of on-board video-ram.

There is a SODIMM socket for video-ram upgrade.

Just wondering what kind of ram I could try in there.
I have a couple of spare 32MB SODIMM's from old Toshiba's, so wondering if I can plonk one of them in there, or does it have to be specific ram?

The reason I ask at all, is that I know there is some significant differences between system and video RAM, so not really sure if I can use a SODIMM designed as system ram for a laptop, for video RAM...

Comments welcomed.
:)

[saphalline]

I'm afraid that's not a standard SODIMM slot. It requires a special stick of VRAM - SGRAM, I believe - with a configuration of 2 or 4 RAM chips in the old 4-sided TSOP design. These special sticks can be found with either 2MB or 4MB on them (that old Rage Turbo literally can't count higher than that! :p). You can check EBay for one of those, or just leave well enough alone. ;)

As an aside, those SODIMM-type VRAM sticks are plentiful for systems of that era, BUT they are not all compatible with each other. Look before you leap. I've seen tons of old Macintosh VRAM sticks that look similar but would only sizzle in your particular slot.

[Mini-Me]

Well, that was a nice idea while it lasted!!!!
:p
If I may paraphrase you for a moment, I will leave well enough alone.
:)
Frankly, it is far easier to plop a PCI VGA card in there, which has more on-board RAM to start with...

Thanks for letting me know, though!
:)