A question about RAM

[CountArach]

Alright seeing as Google has come up with nothing for me, its time to turn it over to you guys...

My computer is in desperate need of a RAM upgrade, so naturally I went ahead and started looking at prices. It currently has 512MB DDR2, PC2-5200 RAM and the motherboard has a maximum of 4GB. My question is this - what does PC2-5200 mean? Then, after this has been answered, can my PC take a different number from 5200? eBay only has 4200 or 4300 as far as I can see. Will these degrade performance or entirely destroy my PC?

Thanks.

[rajpoot]

I might be absolutly wrong, but I think PC2 is the kind of slot the RAM will fit in.

[CBR]

PC2 means DDR2 memory. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DDR2_SD...on%20standards

So the 4200 version will make your machine slower but it should not break it.

You will have to check the specs of your motherboard to see if it supports higher than 667 Mhz as you might want PC2-6400 or more for increased performance.


CBR

[CountArach]

PC2 means DDR2 memory. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DDR2_SD...on%20standards

So the 4200 version will make your machine slower but it should not break it.

Alright, that's fine I guess.

You will have to check the specs of your motherboard to see if it supports higher than 667 Mhz as you might want PC2-6400 or more for increased performance.


CBR

I've looked and I think that's a no-go.

Thanks.

EDIT: It appears that eBay indeed has 5300 instead of 5200.

[CBR]

I found some 2x1GB DDR2 (PC2-5300) modules on ebay so it should be possible.

edit: ah saw your edit now


CBR

[Caius]

667 Mhz

Do RAM add extra "velocity"?

[Papewaio]

I'm more of an application power user, so this site is very useful for getting my head around hardware.

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/

For DDR2:

DDR2 Memory Tutorial

[Whacker]

So CA...

What OS are you running? Is it 32 or 64 bit? What are your system specs? Did you buy any RAM yet?

[CountArach]

So CA...

What OS are you running? Is it 32 or 64 bit? What are your system specs? Did you buy any RAM yet?

XP with SP2 - 32 Bit. No I haven't bought any RAM yet.

[Whacker]

XP with SP2 - 32 Bit. No I haven't bought any RAM yet.

So what are your PC specs? How old is it?

[CountArach]

So what are your PC specs? How old is it?

3.2 GHz Processor, Pentium IV. 256MB GeForce 6600. Probably 2 years old (It was a little dated when my dad bought it).