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RAM for a Compaq: PC-100 or PC-133?

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  • #1

    RAM for a Compaq: PC-100 or PC-133?

    The model/series in question is a Presario 5002, with 128MB DIMM SDRAM.

    (Yes, that's a pathetic amount of RAM, and a poor choice of a computer, which is why my brother wants to upgrade it; my own PC's still "fine", with 512MB.)

    Anyways I'd like to know:

    a)Is PC-100 memory compatible with PC-133 (I'd say no, but don't know for sure)?

    b)How can I find out, short of having to deal with Compaq customer support, if there's PC-100/133 memory installed on this PC by default already? (in other words, which of them is most likely inside this PC).

    Last time I manually upgraded a PC was in 1999, which explains my relative ignorance/possible stupidity regarding these matters...

    Thanks for your help in advance.
    DULCE BELLUM INEXPERTIS
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  • #2
    Go for PC-133 if in doubt. All it is is that the memory is slightly higher grade, so will run as a bus speed of 133MHz rather than 100MHz...if you put 133MHz in a 100MHz system, it will just run at 100MHz...but you need to tell me, what speed is your processor?
    Speaking of Erith:

    "It's not twinned with anywhere, but it does have a suicide pact with Dagenham" - Linda Smith

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    • #3
      AMD Duron, 850MHz.
      DULCE BELLUM INEXPERTIS

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      • #4
        It's a compaq. I'd be willing to bet it won't work. Most other machines will work either way but compaq is incredibly flaky about it. If you really want it to work, get a stick that runs at the same speed as your bus.

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        • #5
          he's right. get 133. If you have 133 and you get 100, it will slow the speed down to 100, if you have 100, and get 133, it won't affect anything
          "Mal nommer les choses, c'est accroître le malheur du monde" - Camus (thanks Davout)

          "I thought you must be dead ..." he said simply. "So did I for a while," said Ford, "and then I decided I was a lemon for a couple of weeks. A kept myself amused all that time jumping in and out of a gin and tonic."

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          • #6
            Just to note: This is not always true. I've seen PC-100 boards that refused to recognize PC-133 RAM.
            "In the beginning was the Word. Then came the ******* word processor." -Dan Simmons, Hyperion

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            • #7
              Originally posted by JCG
              AMD Duron, 850MHz.
              It would appear to be a 100 in that case...(a clock multiplier on the bus speed will give a multiple of 50, with a 133 is will be in 66MHz increments).

              But get the 133MHz anyway, I don't think it costs any more nowadays and is better quality sh*t
              Speaking of Erith:

              "It's not twinned with anywhere, but it does have a suicide pact with Dagenham" - Linda Smith

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              • #8
                I'm pretty sure they're compatible.

                I had a custom-built PII350MHz with 64MB of 64MB PC100 DIMM SDRAM, and expanded it with 128MB PC133 and it works like a charm.

                The motherboard manual recommended PC100, but I guess that's mostly because PC133 probably didn't even exist yet.

                I did have a problem though. The memory I bought didn't work, because it only had 4 chips on the card, and my computer couldn't handle it.

                Luckily, I could switch the card around with one from a newer PC (16 chips).

                Here's my question about this a while ago on CGN... Buster's explanation gives the details:
                404 Not Found
                http://www.civgaming.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2081
                Civilization II: maps, guides, links, scenarios, patches and utilities (+ Civ2Tech and CivEngineer)

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                • #9
                  Thank you very much guys!

                  Ok, so in principle 133 is the way to go, unless Compaq decides to be as "uncooperative" as they can be (on both on the hardware/support fronts).

                  I suppose I'd have to open the PC to find out for sure which is the current speed, or not?

                  EDIT: I'm going out for a couple of hours now, but once I come back I'll see what I can do/find out.
                  DULCE BELLUM INEXPERTIS

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by dv8ed
                    Just to note: This is not always true. I've seen PC-100 boards that refused to recognize PC-133 RAM.
                    Shouldn't be the case seeing as they are both pretty much identical. It's like the processor speed variants - they clock down the chip until it runs, the ones that can run at the top speed will be released as the full whack in MHz and then work their way down depending on their stability at various speeds
                    Speaking of Erith:

                    "It's not twinned with anywhere, but it does have a suicide pact with Dagenham" - Linda Smith

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Mercator
                      I'm pretty sure they're compatible.

                      I had a custom-built PII350MHz with 64MB of 64MB PC100 DIMM SDRAM, and expanded it with 128MB PC133 and it works like a charm.

                      The motherboard manual recommended PC100, but I guess that's mostly because PC133 probably didn't even exist yet.

                      I did have a problem though. The memory I bought didn't work, because it only had 4 chips on the card, and my computer couldn't handle it.

                      Luckily, I could switch the card around with one from a newer PC (16 chips).

                      Here's my question about this a while ago on CGN... Buster's explanation gives the details:
                      http://www.civgaming.net/forums/show...&threadid=2081
                      Same here, this is a 100MHz Athlon 700 (so I am sure an 850 is 100MHz). I have later upgraded...so I have 128MB of 100MHz and 256Mb of 133MHz...funny that the 133MHz was cheaper at the time than 100MHz...go figure
                      Speaking of Erith:

                      "It's not twinned with anywhere, but it does have a suicide pact with Dagenham" - Linda Smith

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Provost Harrison
                        Shouldn't be the case seeing as they are both pretty much identical. It's like the processor speed variants - they clock down the chip until it runs, the ones that can run at the top speed will be released as the full whack in MHz and then work their way down depending on their stability at various speeds
                        I know it shouldn't be the case.....it just occasionally is. One of them was a FIC SD-11 (original Athlon board)...I've seen three of these, and none of them would take a PC133 module.
                        "In the beginning was the Word. Then came the ******* word processor." -Dan Simmons, Hyperion

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                        • #13
                          I don't think they even sold 100MHz where I went...
                          Civilization II: maps, guides, links, scenarios, patches and utilities (+ Civ2Tech and CivEngineer)

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                          • #14
                            I have a compaq, and it takes the 133
                            "Mal nommer les choses, c'est accroître le malheur du monde" - Camus (thanks Davout)

                            "I thought you must be dead ..." he said simply. "So did I for a while," said Ford, "and then I decided I was a lemon for a couple of weeks. A kept myself amused all that time jumping in and out of a gin and tonic."

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                            • #15
                              Originally posted by Mercator
                              I don't think they even sold 100MHz where I went...
                              I'd be surprised if they still sold it, those that do probably just sell 133MHz anyway and just say it is...
                              Speaking of Erith:

                              "It's not twinned with anywhere, but it does have a suicide pact with Dagenham" - Linda Smith

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