553MHz vs 800MHz

[SATAHDD]

My laptop default came with a 512MB 533 MHz DDR-2 PC2 4200 200 Pin SODIMM RAM

Can I use a 2GB 800 MHz RAM in the other slot will that effect my mother board? I know its always recommended to have same RAM in both slots for Max performance of RAM

 

[Jak Atackka]

If it doesn't support it, the computer simply won't boot. Nothing will break.

The only way to know if it supports it or not is to look up the motherboard specs. What model laptop do you have?

 

[SATAHDD]

If it doesn't support it, the computer simply won't boot. Nothing will break.

The only way to know if it supports it or not is to look up the motherboard specs. What model laptop do you have?

It is old laptop acer aspire 5050 series, 5052NWXmi, It came with nanya 512mb DDR2 SDRAM PC2-4200-444-12-A2 2rx16 200 PIN.

and I saw PC2-4200 DDR2 modules are compatible when mixed with PC2-5300 and 3200 DDR2 modules, but default to the lower speed.

If I use 2GB PC2-5300 667MHz in first slot and 1GB or 512mb PC2-4200 533MHz in second slot. 2GB gets degraded to 533MHz?

 

[Jak Atackka]

I would recommend using a matched pair of RAM if possible. The BIOS might not downgrade the RAM speed if it doesn't support that speed. It would be best to buy RAM that runs at the same speed as what you have. If you just have this stick lying around, though, you could just pop it in and see what happens.

 

[SATAHDD]

I would recommend using a matched pair of RAM if possible. The BIOS might not downgrade the RAM speed if it doesn't support that speed. It would be best to buy RAM that runs at the same speed as what you have. If you just have this stick lying around, though, you could just pop it in and see what happens.

Thank you for your reply

Finally I found a 1 GB RAM with same bus speed 533 MHz and timing 4-4-4-12, CAS L4, I am very specific about getting a CAS L4 and I found it.
Now both the slots will have 1 GB same speed, timing and are CAS L4 although I should take away 512 mb RAM which also has same speed and CAS L4 and sell it online 😉