Good prices for RAM?

[jcroach]

Anybody have a great web source for RAM?  I need 512 MB of PC2100 DRR-SDRAM DIMM at a good price.

[shmokes]

Will PC 2700 work?  As long as the pinout is the same faster RAM will work just fine on a slower bus and will just throttle itself down (in this case to PC 2100 speeds).  If it will work, here's a 512 MB stick of PC 2700 for $17 after rebates - you have to add it to your cart to see the price

Otherwise, check www.crucial.com .  They make excellent RAM and are usually very inexpensive.  www.kingston.com also has a lot of good prices and make quality RAM.

[jcroach]

Thanks.  I had no idea what the PC#### meant.  I just got it out of my manual.  Are you sure the higher # will work? What if I'm mixing it with lower speed ram? Like 512 MB of PC2100 and 512 MB of PC2700?

I found a good deal on eBay for some crucial memory.

Will PC 2700 work?

[Sephroth57]

yeah it works fine as long as it doesnt exceed the max your mobo will take, look in your mobo manual it will list the range it accepts

[pointdablame]

Don't mix ram speeds.. you're asking for trouble.  The ram will drop to the lowest speed installed, so the 2700 will run at 2100 speeds.  That might not be a problem for your system since it is expecting 2100, but mixing ram GREATLY increases the chance of memory conflicts.

It might work just fine... but I've never found it to be a very stable decision.  It's probably worth a shot though... just make sure you test your system stability very well after the install.

[shmokes]

Yeah, the PC2700 RAM will just get clocked down to the speed of the slowest module you have installed so it will all run at PC2100.  Most likely it will work perfectly, but RAM can be fickle.  Sometimes two sticks won't work together even if they are the same speed, but just different manufactuerers.  And sometimes your system won't boot when you plug your RAM into slots 1 and 2, but if you use 1 and 3 it works fine.  For $17 I'd give it a shot -- especially if you only have to send in a copy of your receipt for the rebate.  Then, even if it doesn't work you can just take it back and you'll still get the rebates for your trouble.

If both sticks of RAM have the same number of pins I'd give you a 90% chance that it will work just fine.  You probably have just as much chance of it working as another brand of PC2100 RAM.  That's just the way RAM works.

[jcroach]

Thanks for all the advice.  If I finda great deal on a higher RAM speed around here, I might try it. If I buy off the ole' internet, I think I'll stick with the PC2100.

Thanks again.