DDR ram, so many options...

[crashwg]

So, I want to put a little bit more zip in my computer.  It's an eMachine (all I could afford at the time) and I just checked the book that came with it and it states;

"Advanced High Perfomance Memory Controler
      Through two DDR SDRAM sockets accepts up to 2 GB totaly with support DDR266/200 SDRAM"

I want to know what I can and can't put in there and why.  Basicaly I'm thinking, go with the fast stuff, which the board won't be able to take advantage of, but when I upgrade the mobo and cpu I'll already have the fast ram.  Am I correct in this assumption?  Will ram that is too fast for my computer be bad?

What are the different types of DDR ram and where does my computer fall in the mix of things?

[Sephroth57]

I would check your book again, i just ordered a new motherboard and it came with a book, told me it can take DDR RAM from PC1600 to PC2400 and only in 266mhz.  Now I dont know if that means it can only use up to 2400 or if i have it in there it just wont use its potential.

if its not in the book find your model name of your computer or motherboard and google it

[crashwg]

So I google my computer and this is what I came up with:

100% Compatible Upgrades For Your emachines eMachines A26EV17F
System specifications
 Print your FREE Memory Report! Tell a friend about this product
 Currency converter
 


Memory Module Part Number Everyday Low Price Qty Order
         128MB DDR PC2100
System Memory 38460-02 $34.99  
         256MB DDR PC2100
System Memory 38460-03 $49.99  
         512MB DDR PC2100
System Memory 38460-04 $84.99  
         1GB DDR PC2100
(Most Popular)
System Memory 38460-01 $188.99  


But this still doesn't realy answer my question.  Just because this stuff is 100% compatible, but that doesn't mean that other stuff isn't...

[Sephroth57]

well its not like PC2100 is bad, thats what i run on my non MAME PC and I run FFXI online onfull graphics flawless with only 512MB RAM. that game probably has the best graphics ive ever seen on a PC currently

[Spaced Invader]

Faster memory isn't a problem...it just won't run full speed. Only problem is mixing stcks...that might get you into timing conflicts. But you can run into that with memory of the SAME speed from different manufacturers.