Adding More RAM?

**Frink191** · August 25th, 2007, 05:39 PM

Hey there

Well basically I am planning on adding another 1GB stick of RAM to my system to increase it from 1GB to 2GB of RAM. Basically what I want to know is do I need to buy exactly the same RAM as what my other one is or does it just have to fit my computer to work. Like I don't want to install it and then not work because it isn't the same brand or something as my other 1GB of RAM. Basically the RAM I have now is PNY 1GB, PC3200, DDR 400MHz. As long as I buy my next 1GB of RAM with those specs would it work OK?

Thanks for your help and time.

**KarmaKiller** · August 25th, 2007, 05:49 PM

Yeah it should work. If you have any doubts, just check your motherboard man. page for compatibility. But 95% of the time, if you stay within the specs(DDR 400Mhz) you'll be good..

**JRB3** · August 25th, 2007, 06:00 PM

Basically you should always try to match your RAM when installing multiple sticks in a system because the RAM performance will always be limited to that of the lowest specification stick.

So long as you do not buy any RAM worse in specification, for example lower speed DDR 333 or 266 and poorer CL timings etc, then you should be fine and won't hurt your performance, therefore resulting in a decent upgrade.

Buying matching RAM sticks is always a good thing to do but if you can't find a good price on a PNY 1GB, PC3200, DDR 400MHZ stick just get the best deal on a stick that equals or betters your current sticks performance.

CPU Z is a good program that i use on occasion and it will tell you your RAM timings on your current stick, if you don't already know, so that you can find an appropriate RAM stick for your upgrade.

**AlphaOmegaX** · August 25th, 2007, 06:11 PM

Personally, I have a case I can gaze into so I have four sticks of PnY ddr2 800mhz ram with silver heatspreaders on them.

Eye-candy really.

Yes you can get different brands. Ram is Ram.

You just need the same speeds

**Frink191** · August 25th, 2007, 06:16 PM

So basically I just need to buy another stick of RAM that is DDR 400MHz and PC3200 and it should work fine?

**zybch** · August 25th, 2007, 06:24 PM

Should be okay, but as others have suggested, stick with the same brand/model if you want to be 100% assured of no trouble (but any should work).

**JRB3** · August 25th, 2007, 06:31 PM

Let me clear up the DDR 400 and PC 3200 issue for you:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DDR_SDRAM

If you look at the chips and modules chart you will see that DDR 400 is a reference to the memory clock and PC 3200 is a reference to the peak transfer rate. So the point is that if a RAM stick is DDR 400 it is by definition also PC 3200 and vice versa.

Bottom line is YES match the speed, but take a look at those timings to no point in rushing in to buy an upgrade that may stop you realiseing the maximum potential achievable for your system, and your good to go. If you want to guarantee compatibility take a look at your motherboard manufacturers recommended 100 % compatible RAM solutions.