Memory Upgrade - 1st Time!

[PatsyC]

I have a Intel Celeron 400 MHz w/128KB Level 2 Cache and SIS 620/5595B Chipset Motherboard, 32MB RAM expandable to 256MB (2 DIMM slots total).

Presently has only 1 32MB chip. Can I mix and match? For example, put a 64MB or a 128MB in the empty slot? Want to eventually expand to 256MB but memory prices too high right now. Am very confused by all the available information and keep getting different or no answers from the technical support (?) at the sales places.

Any help or advice would be appreciated. I am differently a newbie when it comes to this.

[Mntsnow]

for a short answer...YES

The long answer is YES but you need to make sure you get the correct memory configuration. such as 8mx64 (64 meg stick), 16mx64 (128meg stick) ect. Your motherboard manual will state what size and type you need.

Mntsnow

[PatsyC]

Thanks! Although I have to say "what manual?" I only got the Windows "Getting started".

Guess I could pull the existing module and take it with me.

[PatsyC]

Thanks! Although I have to say "what manual?" I only got the Windows "Getting started".

Guess I could pull the existing module and take it with me.

[Axel]

If your motherboard didnt come with a manual, it's a REALLY good idea to download and print a copy off the manufacturer's web page as, eventually, as you keep upgrading, you'll either have to change a critical jumper setting or possible flash the bios of the board. Also, the manual will describe, in some detail, exactly what types of memory the board will tolerate. Speed, parity, and mixxing, as well as best order of insertion will most likely be specified. The reason the sales guys have been giving you the brush off is they either don't know, or won't waste time on your question without the mother board manual. I bought the wrong ram once....

download the board's manual and your PC world will be a better - more informed place to be. /forum/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by Axel (edited 10-29-1999).]

[digital_rat]

motherboards do not necessarily have the
manufactors name on them but they should
as least have the model number somewhere
on the side...
example....5agm2
do a search on this and you will find
that board is manufactored by chaintech..
also possible is the fcc id

[Mntsnow]

We can also figure out what motherboard you have if you can give us the BIOS # that comes up at the bottom of your screen when you first start the computer. /forum/biggrin.gif

Do you know who made the computer? ie DELL, COMPAQ, HP ect?

Mntsnow

[RAR]

You have to look if it is PC66 SDRAM or PC100 SDRAM too. Normally the newer motherboards use PC100 (the newest are using PC133). The older socket 7 mobo's usually have PC66 or lower. I have heard you can mix them but I am not sure. Like everyone else said the mobo manual usually tells you what to use. Does anybody know if there is a performance problem if you mix the PC66 & PC100 chips?

[Mntsnow]

RAR,

as long as the memory follows the required configuration you can use a mix of pc66 and pc100, pc133 memory. (it is ok to run higher rated memory slower but you might run into problems trying to run slower memory on a system that requires faster memory. So in short it is OK to run pc100 and pc133 on a system that requires pc66 but pc66 memory might have problems running on the 100mhz FSB or the 133mhz FSB.

Hope this answered your question for you.

Mntsnow

[PatsyC]

Wow! Great advice guys - I'll have to take my machine apart when I get home and look for the info. As for the manufacturer, it is supposed to be a "MaxTech" computer and when I inquired on their website what kind of memory I had, they replied "standard PC100". I could have used a little more info from them, this was like pulling teeth to get that. Maybe I wasn't asking them the right questions. I don't know.

At least I have a place to start. Thanks again for all the help!