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RAM is RAM, Memory is Memory

post #1 of 35
12/14/04 at 5:12pm
Thread Starter 
Isn't that statement true? These days all laptops are mainly PC2700 and most of them uses the exact same laptop. So regardless what brand, they will use the same laptop, correct?

Note: While it is the general rules of thumb that all memory are created equal, it is best to check the memory manufacture compatability list for best result. Often time, certain board and chipset of the laptop have trouble utilizing the memory properly. See the linky list below for more information.

Here is a few I've composed for people with laptop looking for memory. Most people out there will recommend Corsair and Kingston as they've been fairly good with their memory in the past. Corsair does provide a very helpful user forum discussion on their memory as well. Behind them, you will see Crucial (Microns), Geil USA, and Mushkin. Both Geil USA and Mushkin made their footprint originally by provide super high quality RAMS appealing to overclockers.

See link below for more details.

Corsair Micro

Clicky to their website

Part NumberSpeedSizeOrganizationPackage
VS1GSDS333PC27001 GB128Mx64200 SODIMM
VS512SDS333PC2700512MB64Mx64200 SODIMM


http://corsairmemory.com/corsair/xms.html

Part NumberSpeedSizeLatencyPackage
CMXSD512-3200LLPC3200512MB2.5-3-3-6200 DIMM
CMXSD256A-3200LLPC3200256MB2.5-3-3-6200 DIMM
CMXSD512-2700LLPC2700512MB2-3-2-6200 DIMM
CMXSD256A-2700LLPC2700256MB2-3-2-6200 DIMM

Crucial by Microns
Clicky to their website


Part NumberSpeedSizeOrganizationPackage
CT369581 DDR PC2700 1GB
CT369583 DDR PC2700 512MB

Mushkin
Clicky to their website


Part NumberSpeedSizeOrganizationPackage
(see website link above)

Geil USA
Clicky to their website


* They carry two types. The value series and what they call the "Dragon Series". The dragon series are their high end version and does come in PC3200 DDR400 model.

GeIL Golden Dragon PC3200 400MHz DDR SO-DIMM
# 200pin, Non-ECC, Un-buffered, SO-DIMM DDR memory modules.
# GeIL 5ns 32x8 Density WLCSP DDR Chip.
# 6 Layers Ultra Low Noises Shielded Golden Dragon PCB with Gold 30u" Plating.
# Optimized SPD Guarantee 100% Compatiblity.
# Lifetime Warranty .
# CAS 3 8-3-3 @ DDR400 PC3200
# 2.55V-2.65V
# Dual Channel Compatible
# SKU: GDS3200-512A

Dane-Elec Memory
Clicky to their website

* They are the 3rd largest memory manufacture worldwide. I haven't had too much experiences with them so no clue of their quality. They seem to be big in Europe though.

Kingston Technology
Clicky to their website

PNY Technologies
Clicky to their website


OCZ Technologies
Clicky to their website


OCZ doesn't seems to have PC2700 for laptops yet.

Buffalo Technology
Clicky to their website
CapacityTypeBankCASParts #DRAM Mfg
128MB16x1612.5DN333-X128/MCMicron
256MB16x1622.5DN333-D256/MCMicron
512MB32x822.5DN333-512/KBuffalo

KingMax Technology
Clicky to their website

DDR333 TinyBGA 200 pin SO-DIMM
Model CapacityOrganizationCAS Latency
MSAD42D-D8KB3-MAE1GB 64M*8 CL2.5
MSAD42D-D8KB3-MBE1GB 64M*8 CL2.5
MSAC22D-38KS3 512MB 32M*8 CL2.5
MSAC22D-38KX3 512MB 32M*8 CL2.5


Viking Interworks
Clicky to their website




The most common questions for memory are:

1) My laptop specify PC2700, but can I use PC3200?
A: Yes, you could use PC3200 and above, however you would not be able to utilize the speed of that memory. Your memory will automatically down clock itself to PC2700. Unless you overclock your bus speed, then you would be able to utilize this speed. By doing do, you are adding more stress and heat to your main laptop.

PC2700 Typically run at the speed of 333MHZ, which in turn the FSB on the board is 166MHZ
PC3200 typically run at the speed of 400MHZ, which in turn the FSB on the board is 200MHZ

* Chart below taken from AMDFORUMS.COM
Quote:
Actual clock speed/effective transfer rate => specification

100/200 MHz => DDR200 or PC1600
133/266 MHz => DDR266 or PC2100
166/333 MHz => DDR333 or PC2700
185/370 MHz => DDR370 or PC3000
200/400 MHz => DDR400 or PC3200
217/433 MHz => DDR433 or PC3500
233/466 MHz => DDR466 or PC3700
250/500 MHz => DDR500 or PC4000
267/533 MHz => DDR533 or PC4200
283/566 MHz => DDR566 or PC4500
So if your CPU ask for a 166MHZ bus speed, you would need a PC2700 type memory.

2) What is the different between these companies when the chip are made by (for example) Samsung?
A: The board. Majority of the time when memory goes bad or have problem, it is not with the actual memory chip. It usually is the board that the memory is attached to. The quality of the memory all evolves around the board manufacture, while the chip manufacture could be the same kind and quality.

3) How do I know if my memory has problem?
A: You could down an application call memtest. Click to website . It will do an intestive memory test for you and determine if your memory is faulty or not. It is best to check it when it is still under warranty.

4) I have 256MB RAM now, how much different would it be if I get 512MB?
A: A LOT! While I can't give you exact numbers, but you would generally notice as much as 40% improvement in speed if you go with 512MB RAM vs 256MB RAM. You will notice a good 20% - 25% improvement in speed if you go between 1GB RAM vs 512MB RAM. I have not notice a great speed improvement for having RAM above 1GB on most uses such as Office, SWG, EQ2, etc. While some programs and games might take advantage of higher, they are not generally common. One would be DOOM3 or PHOTOSHOP would be able to take advantage of more RAM. Most people will stay around 1GB. But if money is no object, MAX it to 2GB where most laptop are cap at these days! Who knows next version of applications might be able to use it.

5) Should I buy XXX because it is cheaper?
A: While from specification, RAM IS RAM. But you have to dig a little deeper to uncover the truth of RAM. Even though they are all PC2700 or PC3200, etc., it doesn't mean they will perform the same. The quality used to design the memory board does make a different. Let say you buy one from Company A and another from Company B. They are both PC2700 and both using Samsung chip. Chances are, one will out perform the other due to the quality in the board used. Not to mention stability. See this little article CLICK HERE. Don't forget about other factors in the memory such as CAS and timing of the memory as well. It boils back to an old saying, "You get what you pay for".

Other useful tools and informations:
Retail Memory Outlet
Popular Price Search Engine / Comparison
Other Off-Topics Nice To Know Links

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post #2 of 35
12/14/04 at 5:54pm
I'd add Kingston to your list, Smilepak, and also note that not all memory is compatible with all systems. As a general rule, most will work but some chipsets are pickier than others. I also believe that some forum members have reported that DDR 400 did not work in a system which will only support up to DDR 333, if it did work, you are correct, it would only perform like DDR 333.
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post #3 of 35
12/14/04 at 6:01pm
I'd also add that some laptops support dual-channel memory, so matching your sticks of ram will be more important in these situations.

-Peter
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post #4 of 35
12/14/04 at 6:04pm
Thread Starter 
Add Kingston to list.

* Agree, if you are trying to achieve dual-channel memory, it is best to have two exact identical sticks of ram. (In some case, exact identical will also work as long as they are of the same speed)
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post #5 of 35
12/14/04 at 6:06pm
Thread Starter 
To add to Unleaded comments, some laptop chipset on the board are picky. Most of these memory manufacture have compatibility list you should check first.

Corsair does provide a forum for their memory discussion and are man by their tech to answer your questions about ram. See post above for link,
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post #6 of 35
12/14/04 at 6:08pm
I would agree that not all memory types will work in all laptops. While some 400mhz will clock down to 333mhz, some will not work at all. There's a reason a lot of mobo manufacturers publish 'compatible ram' specs - some just don't play well together, whether it's a speed issue or just plain old incompatibility.

the utilities listed are good, though. I think the main brands like Kingston and Corsair have been the most solid in the majority of laptops. Crucial and Mushkin behind them, in my opinion, for laptops.

edit: smilepak beat me to this one
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post #7 of 35
12/14/04 at 6:12pm
Agree 100% with CoffeeShark's assessment of best memory manufacturers and the runners up.
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post #8 of 35
12/14/04 at 8:13pm
Oooh, gooey...maybe better put: "STICKY"!
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post #9 of 35
12/14/04 at 8:27pm
You should also add Corsair XMS memory to your list:

http://corsairmemory.com/corsair/xms.html

Part NumberSpeedSizeLatencyPackage
CMXSD512-3200LLPC3200512MB2.5-3-3-6200 DIMM
CMXSD256A-3200LLPC3200256MB2.5-3-3-6200 DIMM
CMXSD512-2700LLPC2700512MB2-3-2-6200 DIMM
CMXSD256A-2700LLPC2700256MB2-3-2-6200 DIMM
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post #10 of 35
12/14/04 at 8:33pm
Thread Starter 
Yeah, the XMS model are great! I got those on my PC. A but pricey but well worth it.
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post #11 of 35
12/14/04 at 11:05pm
Thread Starter 
Update Information Section
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post #12 of 35
12/15/04 at 12:10am
quick question for whoever.
Newegg delayed my ram order for some reason so I know have an option. Does it benefit me to get the XMS3200 over the XMS2700 Ram? I am not new to overclocking and understand that the 3200 will be underclocked. But will the underclocked memory run any cooler. I know that the 2700 has better latency timings, just wanted to know if 3200 would benefit me in any way. Thanks

Sager 3790, I will get 512mb X 2
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post #13 of 35
12/15/04 at 1:12am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by kidgambino
quick question for whoever.
Newegg delayed my ram order for some reason so I know have an option. Does it benefit me to get the XMS3200 over the XMS2700 Ram? I am not new to overclocking and understand that the 3200 will be underclocked. But will the underclocked memory run any cooler. I know that the 2700 has better latency timings, just wanted to know if 3200 would benefit me in any way. Thanks

Sager 3790, I will get 512mb X 2
In my personal experiences, nope...

I've done something similar on my desktop in the past and benchmarked it. No benefit, except for future upgrades of CPU, but you are still limited by the bus speed

Look at the clicky above, there is a speed test software you could try out to see yourself.
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post #14 of 35
12/15/04 at 1:18am
ok thanks, i figured as much. Especially due to the fact that the bios does not allow for any overclocking or voltage changes. Even in the future I will be limited reguardless, by that time Ill buy a new laptop anyway.
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post #15 of 35
12/15/04 at 2:42am
Thx for the info.

Anyone have trouble finding the XMS PC2700 from a reputable retailer? I found this at Newegg, but the PC2700 is over $14 more than the PC3200.

The two laptops that I was leaning towards are the Sager 3790 and the Uniwill 259IA3. If anyone has used the XMS PC3200 modules in either of these laptops, please post your results.


^_^_^
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post #16 of 35
12/15/04 at 2:43am
Don't forget the Kingmax
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post #17 of 35
12/15/04 at 3:22am
Viking.

Also, does the manufacturer really matter if you aren't overclocking?
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post #18 of 35
12/15/04 at 4:12am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lazyhound
Viking.

Also, does the manufacturer really matter if you aren't overclocking?
Yes. Quality of memory goes as far as stability of the entire system. Poor memory causes frequent random reboots, poor performance (eventhough same speed), etc.

Better quality memory are fair more stable and has a better latency rate, thus result in a more faster system.
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post #19 of 35
12/15/04 at 4:21am
Thread Starter 
Update list to include both Kingmax and Viking links.

Update useful information links list

Update Notes area

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post #20 of 35
12/15/04 at 6:18am
if i have a 512 and a 256 stick, should i stick the 256 in the more easily accessible slot on my m6 (underneath the cover) and have the 512 in what i would guess is the "primary" slot? will this make a difference (noticeably)? i have it the other way around right now cuz i just bought the 512.
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