Will this ram work in my computer?

[Mark2277]

I have a HP Compaq Elite 8000 Mini Tower computer. The motherboard, as listed on this Piriform Speccy program, is a Hewlett-Packard 3647h (XU1 PROCESSOR).

I was wondering if I could use this ram in it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226468

I understand if it works it will probably only work at 1333 speed.

 

[Darkbreeze]

That memory is not supported by your motherboard. You need DDR3-800, 1066 or 1333mhz modules. I've seen some DDR3-1600mhz modules work on these boards but at the slower 1066mhz or possibly 1333mhz speeds, but the 1866mhz modules bear a high risk of not being recognized by the system. I've personally worked on two of these systems previously that would not recognize the faster modules.

How much memory and of what speed do you currently have installed?

 

[Darkbreeze]

These would work fine for you:

4GB:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Memory: Corsair XMS3 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $24.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-30 23:11 EST-0500

8GB:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Memory: Team Elite 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($55.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $55.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-30 23:15 EST-0500


Using two of the first listed 4GB modules together would be fine too but using matched modules is preferred for dual channel operation although it would almost surely work fine in dual channel with two of those.

 

[Mark2277]

That memory is not supported by your motherboard. You need DDR3-800, 1066 or 1333mhz modules. I've seen some DDR3-1600mhz modules work on these boards but at the slower 1066mhz or possibly 1333mhz speeds, but the 1866mhz modules bear a high risk of not being recognized by the system. I've personally worked on two of these systems previously that would not recognize the faster modules.

How much memory and of what speed do you currently have installed?

I have 2 of these computers. Each has a pair of 2 GB of DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) modules. I was thinking of putting all 4 in one computer, for a total of 8 GB, and buying 8 GB of memory for the other one. I was worried compatibility might be an issue if I went too high on the speed, but in doing so I was hoping to possibly salvage them for a newer computer later on, wishful thinking I suppose.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Ok, I see where you're going with that. Unfortunately, it's a crap shoot. Some boards will use the faster memory as long as the voltages and the SPD (Serial presence detect) profiles are compatible. Unfortunately, some boards are finicky, especially older hardware, and it might not work. I wouldn't take the risk personally unless you know for certain you'll be able to use the speed of memory you get in a near future build. I think I'd just do as you planned with moving the modules to the other computer and then get some additional modules for the other rig if you want to stretch their useful lives.

You could also try the 1600mhz modules. Those at least wouldn't be terribly slower than 1866mhz modules if you had to repurpose those into a new build later. That's iffy though and with a new build I'd really want to use faster modules but some folks are still using ddr3 1600mhz modules on a lot of budget builds right now.