RAMbling on.

RAMbling on.

Re: RAMbling on. Posted by Underdog on Sat Dec 10th 2005 at 5:10pm
Underdog
1018 posts
Posted 2005-12-10 5:10pm
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I have been searching Pricewatch for some pc3200 ram. I would like to get a couple gig sticks but noticed something.

Many brands of ram have completely different voltages, even though they are the exact same size. How would I determine my voltage range so that I do not burn up the new, or the old I already have?

In times past, I just bought ram. If it was the same type (IE pc133,pc2100) I never noticed a voltage difference. I just plugged them in and moved on.

Any help would be appreciated.
There is no history until something happens, then there is.
Re: RAMbling on. Posted by Myrk- on Sat Dec 10th 2005 at 9:26pm
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Posted 2005-12-10 9:26pm
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I'd personally say check the motherboard manual, and when you buy your ram make sure its all the same size, voltage etc.
-[Better to be Honest than Kind]-
Re: RAMbling on. Posted by Underdog on Sat Dec 10th 2005 at 10:57pm
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Posted 2005-12-10 10:57pm
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Myrk- said:
I'd personally say check the motherboard manual, and when you buy your ram make sure its all the same size, voltage etc.
My manual is packed away. Still a bunch of boxes scattered about after the move. :sad:

I suppose that I can look the board up via google. What struck me as odd was why the same pc3200 ram would have different voltages to begin with. Just how many n00b people are going to look at voltage when they buy ram at a supply store like "Best buy" or "Circuit city?"

I am still a bit worried about that part.
There is no history until something happens, then there is.
Re: RAMbling on. Posted by wil5on on Sun Dec 11th 2005 at 3:11am
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Posted 2005-12-11 3:11am
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I think the voltage rating only matters if youre overclocking it. I just buy generic ram and dont overclock it, and it works.
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Re: RAMbling on. Posted by Crono on Sun Dec 11th 2005 at 5:11am
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Posted 2005-12-11 5:11am
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I had a reply earlier but my computer crapped out when I was typing it :sad:

Anyway, UD, get the cheapest one you find at Price Watch (check places like newegg too to see if you can find cheaper ram), There was one that had a lifetime warranty (requirement #1, if it doesn't have that, don't buy it), it was one 1GB stick, PC3200, 3.3V, $51 (pretty cheap as far as I've seen), it was made by Micron too.

3.3V is the standard for DDR SDRAM. Also, on that site, if you noticed, the ram modules that had lower voltages (or higher) specified chipsets they work with.

3.3V is standard, still check your chipset (in your motherboard manual) for it's requirements, as it will flat out tell you what voltage the slots support.

You can check what chipset you have a few ways without the manual through. An easy way is using a program like everest. But if you remember your board, you can look it up. Get a digital manual too.

I should point out though, if the ram requires lower voltage ... it will probably just use less power and deliver the same performance. The voltage on all slots in your computer are maximum numbers.
Blame it on Microsoft, God does.
Re: RAMbling on. Posted by Underdog on Sun Dec 11th 2005 at 1:20pm
Underdog
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Posted 2005-12-11 1:20pm
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Crono said:
Anyway, UD, get the cheapest one you find at Price Watch (check places like newegg too to see if you can find cheaper ram), There was one that had a lifetime warranty (requirement #1, if it doesn't have that, don't buy it), it was one 1GB stick, PC3200, 3.3V, $51 (pretty cheap as far as I've seen), it was made by Micron too.
Yeah, I saw that one and thought "WOW, and its Micron too"

Anyways, thanks, I will look up my board. I think its just normal 3.3 as you say but, I was concerned with all the discrepancies.

I will get back to you on this. It just never came up before, all those different voltages.
There is no history until something happens, then there is.
Re: RAMbling on. Posted by GreenDragon on Tue Dec 13th 2005 at 1:22am
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Posted 2005-12-13 1:22am
132 posts 23 snarkmarks Registered: Nov 24th 2002 Occupation: Drunken Idiot Location: Bc, Canada, eh?
ohh wow, kinda makes me think im lucky. I usually jsut went to the store

"Gimmie some ram!"

And i was done...i coulda been in for some trouble.
I sell useless stuff to stoned people

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