What does PC2700 MB/sec (messages at PC2100) mean?

86Cutty · 01-21-2009, 07:35 PM

I'm looking for some RAM for my bosses HP A305W, and on the HP site it says,
Memory Installed: 256 MB (1 x 256)
Maximum allowed:1 GB (2 x 512) requires the removal of the installed 256 MB DIMM
Speed supported: PC2700 MB/sec (messages at PC2100)
Type: 184 pin, DDR SDRAM
DIMM slots: Two

I dont know what that means. Can I get some help on this?
Also; now that I think of it, What kinda memory would be good to get? He said that he wants the max he can have, so I'm guessing that'll be 2 512mb of RAM, but I was reading some forums and there have been problems with High Density and Low Density types. How do I tell whats ok?
Help me please?

**grimx133** · 01-21-2009, 07:50 PM

Crucial shows that PC3200 will work, so the max he could have would be two 512's of that.
Here's the results from Crucial's memory configurator, look for the part number of the ram that you want to get.
http://www.crucial.com/store/listpar...vilion%20a305w

Other ram manufacturers also have configurators, if you are looking for a different brand, that can be checked too.

Corsair only lists one model of PC2700 that they make. So 2 of those would work as well.
http://www.corsair.com/configurator/....aspx?id=44368

**Doby** · 01-21-2009, 08:00 PM

grimx has given you some very good advice, follow it and you won't be sorry crucial is a very good first quality ram.

PC 2700 referrs to the rams speed there are many different sppeds and this is dictated by what speed ram the motherboard will accept thats why its so important to use a configurator like crucials to get the correct ram plus crucial guarantees it to work.

Stay away from high density ram its mainly for servers and is cheaper to manufactuer thats why you see so much cheap ram on ebay cheap, its the correct speed but high density witch will only work in about 10% of computers

86Cutty · 01-21-2009, 08:12 PM

I have another question; how can I tell if the memory I look up online is High Density or not?

**grimx133** · 01-22-2009, 07:18 PM

If you look it up in a manufacturer's configurator, it will be the correct ram for your purposes, as long as you are putting in the correct data. The old GIGO rule, as always, applies.
For some reading on high/low density, take the sticky for a drive. hi density low density ram

On another note, I found something interesting on the memory that you are looking for. Kingston shows a maximum of 2GB of memory. However, they list two similar models on the same configuration page. So, it may not work for the machine in question, but may be worth dropping them an email for clarification. I'm sure your boss would be quite pleased if 2 gigs could be put in. Though I wouldn't mention it unless you got a confirmation from Kingston. http://www.ec.kingston.com/ecom/conf...submit1=Search

86Cutty · 01-23-2009, 09:00 PM

Ok, Ill ckeck out that site out. Thanks for all your help.

01-21-2009, 07:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
86Cutty Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 34 OS: XP	What does PC2700 MB/sec (messages at PC2100) mean? I'm looking for some RAM for my bosses HP A305W, and on the HP site it says, Memory Installed: 256 MB (1 x 256) Maximum allowed:1 GB (2 x 512) requires the removal of the installed 256 MB DIMM Speed supported: PC2700 MB/sec (messages at PC2100) Type: 184 pin, DDR SDRAM DIMM slots: Two I dont know what that means. Can I get some help on this? Also; now that I think of it, What kinda memory would be good to get? He said that he wants the max he can have, so I'm guessing that'll be 2 512mb of RAM, but I was reading some forums and there have been problems with High Density and Low Density types. How do I tell whats ok? Help me please?

01-21-2009, 07:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
grimx133 Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada eh Posts: 3,137 OS: xp mce sp2, xp pro sp2, windows 7 beta My System	Re: What does PC2700 MB/sec (messages at PC2100) mean? Crucial shows that PC3200 will work, so the max he could have would be two 512's of that. Here's the results from Crucial's memory configurator, look for the part number of the ram that you want to get. http://www.crucial.com/store/listpar...vilion%20a305w Other ram manufacturers also have configurators, if you are looking for a different brand, that can be checked too. Corsair only lists one model of PC2700 that they make. So 2 of those would work as well. http://www.corsair.com/configurator/....aspx?id=44368 __________________ Last edited by grimx133; 01-21-2009 at 07:52 PM.

01-21-2009, 08:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
Doby Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Central PA (USA) Posts: 8,081 OS: XP sp2/ Vista My System	Re: What does PC2700 MB/sec (messages at PC2100) mean? grimx has given you some very good advice, follow it and you won't be sorry crucial is a very good first quality ram. PC 2700 referrs to the rams speed there are many different sppeds and this is dictated by what speed ram the motherboard will accept thats why its so important to use a configurator like crucials to get the correct ram plus crucial guarantees it to work. Stay away from high density ram its mainly for servers and is cheaper to manufactuer thats why you see so much cheap ram on ebay cheap, its the correct speed but high density witch will only work in about 10% of computers __________________ Would you like to help TSF fight cancer and other diseases??? JOIN TEAM TSF

01-21-2009, 08:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
86Cutty Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 34 OS: XP	Re: What does PC2700 MB/sec (messages at PC2100) mean? I have another question; how can I tell if the memory I look up online is High Density or not? Last edited by 86Cutty; 01-21-2009 at 08:20 PM.

01-22-2009, 07:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
grimx133 Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada eh Posts: 3,137 OS: xp mce sp2, xp pro sp2, windows 7 beta My System	Re: What does PC2700 MB/sec (messages at PC2100) mean? If you look it up in a manufacturer's configurator, it will be the correct ram for your purposes, as long as you are putting in the correct data. The old GIGO rule, as always, applies. For some reading on high/low density, take the sticky for a drive. hi density low density ram On another note, I found something interesting on the memory that you are looking for. Kingston shows a maximum of 2GB of memory. However, they list two similar models on the same configuration page. So, it may not work for the machine in question, but may be worth dropping them an email for clarification. I'm sure your boss would be quite pleased if 2 gigs could be put in. Though I wouldn't mention it unless you got a confirmation from Kingston. http://www.ec.kingston.com/ecom/conf...submit1=Search __________________

01-23-2009, 09:00 PM	#6 (permalink)
86Cutty Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 34 OS: XP	Re: What does PC2700 MB/sec (messages at PC2100) mean? Ok, Ill ckeck out that site out. Thanks for all your help.