Memory type and speed??

[KCom]

I think I have PC100 memory but I'm really not sure. Is there a shareware program or other program out there that will identify the type and speed of my SDRAM?? Or is there a way to identify the speed by simply looking at the chips? Thanks for any help.

KC

[fishbob]

I do believe it is wrote on the PC chip it's self. Good luck

[Roy]

Write down everything that's on an individual chip. Visit the manufacturer's website and search for the info you need.

Study the SDRAM Survey at bxboards.com/sdram.shtml (http://bxboards.com/sdram.shtml) . You'll learn alot and it might help with identifying your sticks.

Post the chip info here, and we'll try to help. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[Warthog]

Guessing, I'd say you have PC100 memory because that is the most common. There is a possibility that you have PC133, but unless your system is fairly new (1 1/2 years old at most) I wouldn't think it would have it but I could be wrong.

Warthog

[Jeff7]

You can try SiSoft Sandra 2000, at http://www.sisoftware.co.uk/sandra

I think it's the Mainboard Information option that gives you information about the memory chip, though it might not give all the details on every system.

Below is a picture of a chip on a PC100 32MB PNY memory chip.
http://jeffelec.tripod.com/ramchip.jpg
Circled is the company, and the access time, which is at the bottom right. Now not all memory chips are set up exactly the same, but from what I've seen, it usually appears sort of by itself, or with a dash before it. On SDRAM, it is in nanoseconds. This particular one is 8 nanosecond memory. Now from what I know (anyone correct me if this is wrong) 8ns memory is good to 125MHz, but is rated 100MHz for better compatibility. I think it has to be 7ns to be called PC133.

But anyway, the access time can give you at least some idea of how fast the chip is. Go to www.simmtester.com (http://www.simmtester.com) - they have a nice utility that goes onto a boot disk, and does a stress test on memory. If you aren't sure if the memory is PC100, put it on a 100MHz bus, and run the memory tester for a few hours. If it gets through with no problems, it's probably good for 100MHz. Of course, if it gives problems, make sure it won't give the same errors at 66MHz too - that would likely indicate a dying chip.

[Roy]

Let's not confuse tAC (clock access time) with tCK (clock cycle time). Vendors promote the former, which is much smaller, when you are asking about the latter, which is critical to the buss speed capability.

Again I recommend studying bxboards.com/sdram.shtml (http://bxboards.com/sdram.shtml)