RAM might not be running at the right speed

[bcn21]

Hi,

I'm currently looking at my old mother's PC which is running quite low. Here are its specifications: https://imgur.com/JZFbW22

While checking RAM, I saw the following regarding RAM: https://imgur.com/bvRMh8e
Is this normal ? The 2 modules are 1066 mhz yet Speccy (also checked on CPU Z, same thing) indicates a frequency of 399mhz, so 800mhz in total.

I took a look at the BIOS (last version) and I didn't find any option to change the RAM frequency.

Thank you for your help!

 

[camieabz]

While the RAM is capable of 1066 (in theory), it might not be able to run faster than 800 due to motherboard / CPU setup. It's not something I would worry too much about. It's probably better to tweak the system's boot and running load and get the most from the hardware via software optimisation.

 

[bcn21]

Thank you for your answer.
So despite the fact that the manuel says that the pc can also deal with 1333mhz ram, it won't go faster than 800mhz?
Since the pc is really slow recently, the idea was just to add 2 or 4go ram and a cheap SSD.
Any test you could suggest me to see if everything is running ok?
Also, which optimizations could I do?
I do think there are some problems past the lack of power of the machine itself. I dont think it should be that slow/freezing at
times.

Thanks again for your help.

 

[camieabz]

First up, the E5400 CPU is capable of 800Mhz - https://ark.intel.com/products/40478/Intel-Pentium-Processor-E5400-2M-Cache-2-70-GHz-800-MHz-FSB-

This is most likely the reason for the system running at 800Mhz.

Next, suggest you run a benchmark, and post link to results - https://cpu.userbenchmark.com

This might give us a better idea of why the system is struggling, and if any parts are below par. For what it's worth, the CPU in the system I built in 2009 is faster than the E5400. It might just be a case of the hardware not being up to the demands of the modern IT era.

 

[bcn21]

Here it is:
https://www.userbenchmark.com/PCBuilder/Custom/S108359-M4475.8195.1801.89288vsS108359-M4475.8195.1801.89288
The pc is only used for basics things: office work, browsing, some light flash games, occassionnaly sport streaming

 

[Calvin7]

If you look at the CPU-z report you see you are using two different brands of memory. That may be the cause of your performance issues.

Memory is guaranteed in the form sold. You may want to try using just one module or buying a single kit for your Lenovo model.

You might also try seeing what memory manufacturers recommend for your Lenovo model, whatever that is.

 

[bcn21]

Yes indeed I saw that they were of différent brands. I could try with just one and see if its better but I dont think it Will since with 3go the physical memory usage in task manager seems already to be really high all the time, even idle, which doesnt seem normal. I was thinking about adding/replacing the current ram but I'd like first To be sure that everything is ok and that it's only a "normal" performance issue due to old hardware, which sadly doesn't seem the case. I do think there is something wrong, although I didn't manage to find the issue.

 

[bcn21]

Alright, so I got my hand on 2 modules of the following RAM at a cheap price:

https://www.amazon.fr/DIMM-Micron-MT8JTF51264AZ-1G6E1-PC3-12800U-1600MHz/dp/B01JPA32VY

Sadly, if I only put 1 or both of them and remove the current ones, the PC is really loud when booting (mostly fan I think) and there is no screen display.

If I put 1 or both of them with the current ones, the PC will boot but l have either 4 bips at the start of the PC and a 164 memory size error at the start (can still boot) or no error but the ram is not recognized.

My BIOS has the last update and should be able to handle 4gb modules (Crucial proposes the following ref when I do the checking process on their website: https://www.amazon.fr/Crucial-CT51264BD160B-PC3L-12800-240-Pin-M%C3%A9moire/dp/B005LDLUW8?th=1

Those modules are 1RX8 but it shouldn't be an issue since one of the current one is 1RX8 and the other one 2RX8 and they are both working.

I tried to clear CMOS but it didn't do anything.

Is there a way to determine if it's the new modules who are just not working or if they are incompatible?

Thanks for your help.