DDR RAM question

[antzsta]

My ram at the moment is 256mb ram (samsung) pc2700 but, ive now got a 512mb ram pc 3200. And when i put the 512mb (elixir) ram in on its own, it start my computer up again and eventually my computer just turns it self off. Is there a way to sort this or like to change my computer to pc3200 so it can take it, even though i thought my comuter could take pc3200 aswell.

Computer
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional
OS Service Pack Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 6.0.2900.2180 (IE 6.0 SP2)
DirectX 4.09.00.0904 (DirectX 9.0c)

Motherboard
CPU Type AMD Athlon XP, 1674 MHz (12.5 x 134) 2000+
Motherboard Name Gigabyte GA-7VA v2.0 (5 PCI, 1 AGP, 3 DDR DIMM, Audio)
Motherboard Chipset VIA VT8377A Apollo KT400A
System Memory 256 MB (PC2700 DDR SDRAM)
BIOS Type Award Modular (09/12/03)

 

[antzsta]

Help please....!!

 

[Tommy Boy]

could you list the specs on the new ram stick you bought?

 

[ksb007]

Maybe you just got a bad stick of ram.

 

[lurkswithin]

1. Type : DDR333 (PC2700) / DDR266 (PC2100) / DDR200 (PC1600) -184pin
2. Max capacity : Up to 3GB by 3 DIMM slots
   1. Type : DDR333 (PC2700) / DDR266 (PC2100) / DDR200 (PC1600) -184pin
   2. Max capacity : Up to 3GB by 3 DIMM slots
   This is straight from gigabyte about your mobo. SORRY but it does not support pc3200 memory.

http://tw.giga-byte.com/MotherBoard/Products/Products_GA-7VA.htm

 

[ksb007]

The memory should still run at the lower speed

 

[Kage]

Yeah, I'm afraid this will be true

The only way you could make it support it i'm afraid is if you got a new motherboard. Is there any way you can send that RAM back and get a replacement, and cheaper most probably, speed 2700 ram?

With the 256 you already have, did you also add the 512 into this?
If so, and your computer did support 3200, this ram would be slowed down by the slower 2700 speed ram anyway since the RAM buses carrying the data have to be going at the same speed.

I would advise to get another 256Mb stick of speed 2700 ram (DDR333) to make 512mb again. You should just be able to replace it

I hope this helps

 

[mayorredbeard]

The memory should still run at the lower speed

my guess is a bad stick of ram.
but then it would simply run off the 256 already installed, right?

 

[Kage]

Not if the motherboard doesn't support 3200 speed ram in the first place

I'd think it just wouldn't find it though, but hmm, I haven't tried placing ram in that isn't meant for my pc to find out, hehe

So yeah, just try and get a replacment 2700 speed 256mb of ram like i've said

 

[ksb007]

Sorry, Yeah, it wouldn't accept it, and it wouldn't run at the lower speed if it isn't supported by the mobo. But i also would assume that it just wouldn't find it, however, strange things happen with RAM