Selecting RAM

[RikuoAmero]

Hey there Kametsu,

I'm trying to select RAM for my computer. I've looked up my computer model online, and it accepts PC3-10600 memory. I have 4 RAM slots in my computer, and slots 1, 2 and 4 are occupied. I have 6GB RAM. Now on this page,

http://www.shop4memory.com/search/?k=PC3-10600

there are several different sticks. Does it matter what brand of memory I buy? Can I just buy any of the 2GB sticks there and throw it in without a problem?

This is my computer model

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01993830&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=uk&product=4108220&key=null&site=null#N199

Only difference is since then I've swapped out the Radeon 5450 for a 5770, switched the PSU for a 500 Watt, and added a Creative SB X-fi Titanium Fatal1ty Pro sound card.

[Renzourin]

yeah it matters each motherboard has a specific ram type it uses make sure you have the right ram type or it wont fit and work

[† ballard]

You have dual channel memory. When buying new RAM it would be best not to mix RAM types, speeds, and timings. It would be best to buy a dual channel RAM kit. (I'm sure you already know this, but to be sure I'll explain it.) Your 4 RAM slots should be colored for example 2 slots are blue and 2 are white. The 2 white slots work together and the 2 blue slots work together (channels A and , so you wouldn't want to buy 2 completely different ram sticks and place them both in the white slots (or blue slots)... It could cause memory errors. Buy a dual channel kit and place them both in the same colored slots. Slots 1 and 3 are channel A and slots 2 and 4 are channel B. Channels A and B do not have to be the same kits. You could get a dual channel kit for A and later on get a different kit for B. (I hope I explained this in a way that makes sense lol ...)

What you should do is buy a dual channel kit and remove the stick in slot 1 and replace it with your new kit, so that channel A is running in dual channel.

[Kuroi Hayate]

You also want to look out for the memory voltage. If one pair requires 1.5v and the other pair requires 1.9v, if you set the voltage to 1.9v you can fry the 1.5v memory, though if you set the voltage to 1.5v then the 1.9v memory will be very unstable.

I would recommend taking a look at the label on those DIMMs, it should either list the timing and voltage or have a model number of which you can look up those timings and voltage on the manufacturers website. Then find a dual channel RAM kit that has the same timings and voltage or even better, if you can find the same model RAM as what you already have.

[Asch]

If you want to add Ram co-existing with the present ones, you have to buy PC3-10600 2GB stick, other than that see the cas latency of your present ram sticks match with the new one , it should be 7-7-7 or 8-8-8 or 9-9-9 just match that with the stick you are planing to buy . All done, only this two factors affect the performance and stability in general . Be sure that the voltage of new ram matches with old ones (their are high chances that your PC would be using 1.5v ones)

P.S. You can call HP and ask for latency, or you can use CPUZ to see RAM info, 6GB is more than sufficient for Gaming BTW.

[RikuoAmero]

well here's a couple of screenshots from CPUZ, however I suspect it to be not as accurate as some people say: it says my graphics card does only 150MHz, when according to the ATI website, a 5770 does 850MHz.

This one, the second picture, all three slots used show the same results, Slots 1, 2 and 4 are occupied, while Slot 3 is empty. Also, I just noticed myself, CPUZ says PC3-10700 memory, when the HP website http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01993830&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=uk&product=4108220&key=null&site=null#N157 says I use PC3-10600. Looks like I won't be using CPUZ ever again.

[Asch]

K, you need a stick which is of 1.5v, and latency of 9-9-9 , if the screen shots are correct. Just use this : http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/pc-wizard.html (would have recommended Everest UE, but it is paid) and post screenshots of Ram info for a double check.

[Kuroi Hayate]

About CPU-Z, Some manufacturers and software round differently, some say 1333MHz memory to be PC3-10600, PC3-10660, and PC3-10666. Now if you notice CPU-Z says your memory is running at 667MHz, as it is DDR (Dual Data Rate) memory it has an effective rate of 1334MHz, which is most likely why CPU-Z is reporting it as PC-10700. Nothing wrong with that.

Now as for the GPU frequency, it is correct in saying 156MHz. When you are not in a game or other GPU intensive appplication, the graphics card will automatically lower its clock rate and voltage to save power, thus reducing heat generated by the card, thus further reducing the speed at which the fan runs thus making it quieter.

[BushidoSkeleton]

Most RAM will play nicely with each other.

I was working as a computer tech and only came across one case where the RAM brands were conflicting.

Dont go for budget brands though... alot of them are dodgey.

[Asch]

About CPU-Z, Some manufacturers and software round differently, some say 1333MHz memory to be PC3-10600, PC3-10660, and PC3-10666. Now if you notice CPU-Z says your memory is running at 667MHz, as it is DDR (Dual Data Rate) memory it has an effective rate of 1334MHz, which is most likely why CPU-Z is reporting it as PC-10700. Nothing wrong with that.

Now as for the GPU frequency, it is correct in saying 156MHz. When you are not in a game or other GPU intensive appplication, the graphics card will automatically lower its clock rate and voltage to save power, thus reducing heat generated by the card, thus further reducing the speed at which the fan runs thus making it quieter.

Yup, it reduces the clock clock, but still I don't think it effectively reduce it to 1/4 of original, not the desktop counterparts I have known =P , as far as nomenclature of RAM goes, yup I agree with you, CPUZ does not use static data, so it sometimes gives non-standard reports.

[RikuoAmero]

K, you need a stick which is of 1.5v, and latency of 9-9-9 , if the screen shots are correct. Just use this : http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/pc-wizard.html (would have recommended Everest UE, but it is paid) and post screenshots of Ram info for a double check.

Okay here's what I get

Information SPD EEPROM (DIMM0) :

Manufacturer : Hyundai Electronics

Part Number : HMT125U6BFR8C-H9

Serial Number : 1419621718D6EC52

Type : DDR3-SDRAM PC3-10700 (667MHz) - [DDR3-1333]

Format : UDIMM (133.35 x 15)

Size : 2048MB (2 ranks, 8 banks)

Module Buffered : No

Module Registered : No

Module SLi Ready (EPP) : No

Module XMP : No

Width : 64-bit

Error Correction Capability (EC... Unspecified

Prefetch Buffer : 8-bit

Manufacture : Week 3 of 2010

Thermal Sensor : No

Heat Spreader : No

Supported Frequencies : 457MHz, 533MHz, 610MHz, 686MHz

CAS Latency (tCL) : 6 clocks @ 457MHz, 7 clocks @ 533MHz, 8 clocks @ 610MHz, 9 clocks @ 686MHz

RAS to CAS (tRCD) : 6 clocks @ 457MHz, 7 clocks @ 533MHz, 8 clocks @ 610MHz, 9 clocks @ 686MHz

RAS Precharge (tRP) : 6 clocks @ 457MHz, 7 clocks @ 533MHz, 8 clocks @ 610MHz, 9 clocks @ 686MHz

Cycle Time (tRAS) : 17 clocks @ 457MHz, 20 clocks @ 533MHz, 22 clocks @ 610MHz, 25 clocks @ 686MHz

Min TRC : 23 clocks @ 457MHz, 27 clocks @ 533MHz, 30 clocks @ 610MHz, 34 clocks @ 686MHz

Information SPD EEPROM (DIMM1) :

Manufacturer : Hyundai Electronics

Part Number : HMT125U6BFR8C-H9

Serial Number : 1519A21718D6EC52

Type : DDR3-SDRAM PC3-10700 (667MHz) - [DDR3-1333]

Format : UDIMM (133.35 x 15)

Size : 2048MB (2 ranks, 8 banks)

Module Buffered : No

Module Registered : No

Module SLi Ready (EPP) : No

Module XMP : No

Width : 64-bit

Error Correction Capability (EC... Unspecified

Prefetch Buffer : 8-bit

Manufacture : Week 3 of 2010

Thermal Sensor : No

Heat Spreader : No

Supported Frequencies : 457MHz, 533MHz, 610MHz, 686MHz

CAS Latency (tCL) : 6 clocks @ 457MHz, 7 clocks @ 533MHz, 8 clocks @ 610MHz, 9 clocks @ 686MHz

RAS to CAS (tRCD) : 6 clocks @ 457MHz, 7 clocks @ 533MHz, 8 clocks @ 610MHz, 9 clocks @ 686MHz

RAS Precharge (tRP) : 6 clocks @ 457MHz, 7 clocks @ 533MHz, 8 clocks @ 610MHz, 9 clocks @ 686MHz

Cycle Time (tRAS) : 17 clocks @ 457MHz, 20 clocks @ 533MHz, 22 clocks @ 610MHz, 25 clocks @ 686MHz

Min TRC : 23 clocks @ 457MHz, 27 clocks @ 533MHz, 30 clocks @ 610MHz, 34 clocks @ 686MHz