RAM - how can I tell what sort?

[joddle]

I have been looking to upgrade one of my older PCs running 64bit W10 (Dell 755) and add memory. Currently it has 4MB of DDR2 PC2-5300 but can take 8gb of PC2 6400 so I was hoping to buy 4 sticks of 2gb ram then use the old ram to populate some other Dell 755s which I also have and which have less than 4gb each and are running 32 bit W10..

 

When looking on Ebay and other such sites I see that there are loads of adds for PC2 ram but some state "for AMD processors only" - but the numbers of the memory seem to be the same as those being advertised for Dell Intel based Pcs the same as mine! ie DDR2 PC2-6400 (and sometimes with DDR2 PC2-6400u) SO - my question is; how can you tell if memory is going to be suitable for an intel pc if there is no other indication of that in the advert? Or is there something simple I am missing here?

[GRANDAD]

HI I find the best way is to log onto 'CRUCIAL' site, - download their tool and it will tell you the best set up for your machine.

Does not mean you need to purchase from them but you will know what your looking for. Good luck.

[joddle]

HI I find the best way is to log onto 'CRUCIAL' site, - download their tool and it will tell you the best set up for your machine.

Does not mean you need to purchase from them but you will know what your looking for. Good luck.

 

Many thanks - I have actually done just that and is says "DDR2 PC2-6400 CL=6 Unbuffered NON-ECC DDR2-800 1.8V"

Which part of that tells me its for Intel or AMD?

 

However if I search for that on Ebay I get all sorts of things - some saying not suitable for PCs and some only for AMD!

Confusing eh!

[RustyKnight]

HI I find the best way is to log onto 'CRUCIAL' site, - download their tool and it will tell you the best set up for your machine.

Does not mean you need to purchase from them but you will know what your looking for. Good luck.

 

Anyone know of a similar site or tool that works with Linux?

[KenB]

Hi Joddle,

 

RAM is not specific to the processor.

The Crucial scan is usually very accurate and you can rely on the results.

 

I think the confusion arises with the addition of Enhanced Performance Profile ICs [EPP] to the RAM module.

Basically this can be used by some AMD chipsets to configure the RAM for ultimate performance.

If it isn't present on the RAM module then the BIOS will just load up the default configuration.

You may not get the very best performance out of the RAM but it will work and to be honest, you would not notice the difference.

 

In these instances you can actually configure the RAM manually if you wish.

 

If the RAM module does have EPP it will say "Crossfire Ready" or "SLI Ready"

Basically - it is a marketing ploy.

 

From your first post you obviously understand the limitations of 32 bit systems - but for others reading this ....

A 32 bit system will only recognise 4 GB RAM [ actually this is nearer to 3.5 GB ]

There is no benefit adding more and the system may not even "see" the additional RAM.

 

Older motherboards may not even support 4GB RAM.