finding the right DDR2 RAM

[Plinko]

It's time for me to finally move into the modern world and upgrade my PC.

I'm going to replace my 6-year-old IDE HDD with a second SATA, format the existing SATA and install Windows 7.
At the same time I'm thinking of adding another 4GB RAM.

Looking for additional RAM, I see that Newegg seems to not sell the same speed DDR2 modules I bought when I last upgraded my Mobo/CPU/RAM. At the time I bought 2x 2GB DDR2 1066 Dual Channel modules. Now I usually buy exclusively from NewEgg but they don't sell any DDR2 above 800mHz. I'm not sure what direction I'm supposed to go, do I buy the slower speed modules? Am I supposed to buy DDR3s? Am I supposed to hunt around for the faster speed DDR2s elsewhere (I see I can go elsewhere and buy Kingston HyperX modules that are mostly the same as my exisitng Corsair modules. . .

[metacide]

If you buy DDR2 memory sticks at lower speeds, your computer will slow down. With the increase in the amount of RAM it might be about a wash so far as relative speed gains.

I'll be honest with you, when I read that NewEgg wasn't selling DDR2 above 800 MHz I didn't believe it.

I like Kingston for memory, I have a few sticks of Kingston in my rig at the moment in fact.

[Boss Llama]

Newegg sells quite a bit of DDR2 above 800MHz

Here's a link to all their current 1066 models: DDR2 1066

Assuming you're looking for another 2x2GB set, you've got 5 options DDR2 1066 2x2GB

As Meta said, you don't want to get slower speed RAM. It'll slow everything down. DDR3 wouldn't even fit the mobo. Finally, make sure that when you put Win 7 on your PC, you use the 64 bit version, or it won't be able to register the additional RAM.

[Plinko]

Thanks, meta!

It's weird, when I use the results narrower at NewEgg it always seems to cut out the results I want - I saw the speeds list stop at DDR2 800 and go on to DDR3.

[Clay Pigeon]

AMD or Intel?

AMD won't support DDR2 1066 with more than 2 sticks of ram, it will downclock to 800MHz.

I'm not sure about Intel. I thought Intel only supported 800MHz w/o overclocking the fsb.

[Plinko]

This is my CPU, it says it supports up to 1333 FSB as does my motherboard, but I am not well-versed in these matters!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819115037

[Boss Llama]

I have the exact same CPU in one of my machines, running 8GB of DDR2 1066 without a problem. That mobo wouldn't accept anything less than 1066 - haven't been capped at 800 since I was on socket 478.

Do you have a link to your mobo? We can double check the memory standard, but unless it's a very old 775 board, it shouldn't be an issue.

[Plinko]

Mobo is here:

http://www.gigabyte.com/products/produc ... id=3285#ov

[Boss Llama]

Ok, that's perfect. Your board by default takes RAM up to 1066 without O/C, so you won't have any issues.

You could actually put up to 16 GB's into it, if you got a 4x4GB kit, or if that's too pricey add a 2x4GB kit to give you 12GB now, and you could upgrade the other half later if you were so inclined. Not that you need that much, it's just fun sometimes!

[Plinko]

Thanks, I always worry I'm missing something when I order parts.

The 2x2 GB set has been ordered, along with Windows 7 Home 64-bit edition, a new 1TB SATA drive and a new stand mic. Unfortunately I don't think it gets here until Monday. . .

[metacide]

On the bright side that gives you 4 whole days to make sure everything is in working order before you have lots of time to play, right?

[Boss Llama]

Thanks, I always worry I'm missing something when I order parts.

The 2x2 GB set has been ordered, along with Windows 7 Home 64-bit edition, a new 1TB SATA drive and a new stand mic. Unfortunately I don't think it gets here until Monday. . .

Sweetness, glad to hear the new goodies are on the way.

If you ordered from Newegg, it may well get there this week. They have some of the fastest shipping I've ever seen from a big company, right up there with Amazon for getting things to my door well before I expect them.

If you placed your order today prior to making your post, they may even get shipped today. The order I placed for my new toys yesterday shipped same day, no rush processing or anything.

[Plinko]

I ordered last night. Just got the confirmation message that my schtuff has shipped today except the microphone. . . we'll see if UPS can get to Atlanta from CA in two days. . .

[Flash]

Last time I ordered from Newegg I was in the same boat, UPS estimated delivery on Monday. Much to my surprise it all showed up on Friday so there is hope.





.

[Boss Llama]

I've placed three shipment orders with Newegg, between 10:30 AM yesterday, and 5:30 PM today. None were rushed or expedited, and all used the cheapest shipping options. Their statuses:

First order: Placed 10:30 AM yesterday, shipped from NJ. Delivered to my apartment 3:15 PM today

Second order: Placed 10:30 AM yesterday, shipped from CA. Hit Philly today at 11:30 AM

Third order: Placeed 4:15 PM yesterday, shipped from NJ. Headed out at 10:30 AM today.

That second order is the key - if they can go from CA to PA in one day, they can hopefully go GA to CA in similar time! Would be awesome if they do, upgrades are the greatest