Use PC133 SDRAM with CPU PC-100

[dondang]

I have a Pentium III 850 100MHZ, Do I have to use PC-100 SDRAM or I can use PC-133 SDRAM? My motherboard support both PC-100 and PC-133, but not sure if the CPU will.

[BigBlue66]

Hi,

Whether or not the CPU will handle the different kinds of memory is irrelevant. Not sure where the 100Mhz fits into the picture, unless it's 100Mhz times 2 for a 200Mhz FSB. That's neither here nor there and does not require comtemplation to answer the question.

The motherboard capability is the important part. Since the motherboard will support either speed, then yes, you can use either speed.

Cheers,

Big Blue 66


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Woe is me.

[hiredgoonz]

This question is asked, what, 2 or 3 times a week?? http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

The number indicates the max speed that the memory is guaranteed to run reliably, so as long as the number is equal to, or higher, than the fsb of the system, you're fine...

You can use pc133 with old celeron systems that have a 66mhz fsb, P2,P3, Athlon, or Duron systems that have a 100 mhz bus and P3 or Athlon systems that run at 133 (regular sdram doesn't work on ddr systems) But from your post it seems you have a P3 with a 100mhz fsb, so you can use pc100 or pc133

The memory will run (or try to) at whatever speed you have the fsb set to...if you stick pc66 in a 133mhz fsb P3 system, it will run (or more likely fail) at 133mhz...the memory doesn't make the system run at a different speed on its own...the speed is either set in the bios manually or autodetected based on the cpu...

Th cpu doesn't care what kind of ram you use, pc133 is overkill if your fsb is only 100mhz, but since pc100 and 133 cost the same, it makes sense to buy better ram in case you want to overclock or upgrade to a cpu with a 133mhz fsb...

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When all else fails, read the instructions.

[Randy_tx]

Bingo Hired on ALL of the above......the question is asked numerous times per week, PC133 works just fine in that system and would even work in a Socket 7 P-133 http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif.

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Will XP save Me ?

[mjc]

PETE, put this one in the FAQ section......

hired, I think you've gotten the best explaination yet....

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mjc
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