Upgrading Memory on an Old PC

[Healy]

Hello,

Motherboard: Intel D946GZIS

Motherboard main-memory specifications and currently installed RAM module screenshot:

I want to buy this RAM module, but its specification document does not have any information related to the RAM timings other than the CAS Latency.

1. Is it compatible with my motherboard (as the motherboard manual states that DDR2-667 @ 5-5-5 timing only)?

2. Will the new module be compatible with the currently installed RAM?

 

[swifty_morgan]

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CDwQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.intel.com%2Fsupport%2Fmotherboards%2Fdesktop%2Fd946gzis%2Fsb%2FCS-026621.htm&ei=hnjgUbLQAu754AOtmoDgAQ&usg=AFQjCNFppypRS09NDCr4CTIXRbQGQi312g&bvm=bv.48705608,d.dmg&cad=rja

The board has two DIMM sockets and supports the following memory features:

1.8 V (only) DDR2 SDRAM DIMMs with gold-plated contacts
Unbuffered, single-sided or double-sided DIMMs with the following restriction: Double-sided DIMMs with x16 organization are not supported.
4 GB maximum total system memory
Minimum total system memory: 128 MB
Non-ECC DIMMs
Serial Presence Detect
DDR2 667 or DDR2 533 MHz SDRAM DIMMs

 

[Healy]

swifty_morgan, thank you for replying, but it seems that you didn't read my post fully.

I know what the motherboard supports (I have attached a screenshot of the manual) but I've mentioned what problem I'm facing.

 

[Legohouse]

Hello,

Hello,

Motherboard: Intel D946GZIS

Motherboard main-memory specifications and currently installed RAM module screenshot:

I want to buy this RAM module, but its specification document does not have any information related to the RAM timings other than the CAS Latency.

1. Is it compatible with my motherboard (as the motherboard manual states that DDR2-667 @ 5-5-5 timing only)?

2. Will the new module be compatible with the currently installed RAM?

Your current memory is a single "1GB PC2-4200 533MHz CL4 DIMM". You can confirm this by looking at the SPD tab (CPU-Z).

1. Yes, the 2GB memory which you are intending to buy is compatible with your system as it is meets the memory specs of the motherboard. It is a CL5 PC2-5300 667MHz memory and it will work.

2. Will it work along with the old module? Yes, of course!! They will work together, so don't sweat it. Since, you are mixing higher speed memory with lower speed memory, the higher speed will default to the lower speed. In other words, both the memory will run @ 533MHz (266MHz - CPU-Z).

If you can update your BIOS to the latest version before you install the new memory.

You can check the following link for compatible memory, just in case if you need it:
http://www.memorystock.com/memory/IntelD946GZIS.html

Good luck with the upgrade. Cheers, mate!!

 

[Healy]

Legohouse, thank you for the help. I appreciate it.

I'll buy the new RAM and update this thread with the results.