Which RAM specs need to match for compatibility?

[miles37]

Hi. Ok, so...

 

I'm looking to get the best deal I can on RAM by buying second hand on eBay; I have a very limited budget which I'm willing to spend on RAM or else I won't buy any at all. I'm looking for 2x1GB RAM. Because I'm looking for a good deal, I need to be as flexible as I can, so I need to know exactly which specs actually have to match in order for new RAM to be compatible with my PC.

 

Using the information on my presently installed and fully functional RAM, alongside recommendations from the DELL website, and the 'crucial' scan, I bought on eBay some RAM which I thought should be compatible with my PC. Well, it wasn't compatible, as the notches did not line up.

 

I will now provide all the information I have available to me regarding the RAM I currently have in my computer, and then all the information I have regarding my newly purchased and incompatible RAM. What I hope is that someone here, who understands what all the different RAM specs refer to, will be able to tell me exactly which specs I have mismatched thus leading to the incompatibility of my purchased RAM with my PC. The reason for this is so that I can use this new knowledge to return to eBay and this time purchase correct RAM, but with as much flexibility as possible regarding the specs which do not need to match.

 

If however, it is the case that all of the essential information regarding the newly purchased RAM does indeed match with what SHOULD be compatible with my PC, then by deduction the eBay seller must have in fact provided me with incorrect information regarding his RAM, and I must therefore go and purchase new RAM using the same parameters, and just hope I am provided with correct information next time from the relevant seller.

 

Fully function RAM in my PC already:

(2x) Crucial: 512mb; 240-PIN; UNBUFF; DIMM 64MX64; DDR2 PC; IRX8; PC2-4200U-444-12-ZZ; 533; CL4

 

(2x) Nanya: 256mb; 1Rx16; PC2-4200U-444-12-C1

 

Crucial Scan Results: http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/viewscanbyid.aspx?id=2201BD5031D926C3

 

DELL website results: http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/category.aspx?c=us&category_id=6436&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd&mfgpid=167500&chassisid=8238

 

Newly purchased RAM, incompatible with my PC:

(2x) Elpida - Limited information on cards themselves: 1GB; 2Rx8; PC2-5300F-555 11B0

 

Information on eBay product page:

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[TD]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ELPIDA-DDR2-1GB-2RX8-PC2-5300F-555-/150955010525?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&nma=true&si=tRvMnRRNDrNW%2BZeKbcjJF2y%2Bw3c%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

 

There, that is now all the information I have at my disposal. It should be plenty enough information that someone who has a good understanding of RAM should be able to provide me the advice I desire, and need in order to move forwards. I apologise to anyone who feels the prelude lacks concision, but I wanted to make sure my requirements were fully understood as I've already tried to ask this question at the pchelpforum.com with so far unfruitful replies.

 

Many Thanks,

 

Miles.

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[KenB]

Hi and welcome to ExTS

 

take a look at the pic below:

 

http://forums.techguy.org/attachments/177941d1282928468/ddr-ddr2-ddr3-memory.jpg

 

it wasn't compatible, as the notches did not line up.

 

I am a little suspicious re. the RAM you have bought from eBay.

Not all DDR2 RAM are compatible .....BUT the notch should be in the same place.

What does it say on the label?

Also if you measure accurately ...... is the notch in the right place ?

On the RAM you have bought it should be between the 64th and 65th pins. [ this is the location for DDR2 RAM ]

( data sheet click here )

 

What have you got?

 

I can give you further advice after you rely.

[miles37]

Here are some pictures of the RAM I bought:

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1797[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]1798[/ATTACH]

>.> I think this is server RAM. I found this OTHER(not mine) ebay page http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1GB-ELPIDA-PC2-5300F-555-ECC-SERVER-RAM-MEMORY-SM15-/270959026809 which looks like the same thing but with a very different description.. I then searched server RAM in google images and they all look similar to this one, with the jacket.

[KenB]

Server RAM would be ECC BUT the notch would still be in the same place.

 

I am a little suspicious re. the RAM you have bought from eBay.

Not all DDR2 RAM are compatible .....BUT the notch should be in the same place.

 

If the notch is in a different position the RAM is NOT DDR2.

If it says DDR2 on the label then it could be wrongly labeled.

If it is wrongly labeled then you need to return it to the supplier.

 

Your specific RAM should be DDR2 non-ECC with an operating voltage of 1.8v

[miles37]

Problem solved at:

http://www.pchelpforum.com/xf/threads/bought-wrong-ram-desire-help-to-find-correct-ram.143709/page-2#post-919793

 

Thank you very much for your assistance KenB. It was your reply here which prompted me to compare the notches etc and take the photos which enabled the problem to be solved over there.

 

Cheers,

 

Miles.

[KenB]

Thanks for the feedback Miles :)