Help Selecting Correct SDRAM PC 133

[burnselk]

I need help selecting SDRAM memory for my HP Pavilion Model 7955 which uses PC 133 SDRAM. I currently have 512MB (two 256MB sticks which occupy 2 of my 3 DIMM memory slots). I'd like to increase this memory to 1GB (that's the max for my computer) and I need advice. I note that PC133 SDRAM memory comes in different types, like CL 2 or 3, unbuffered (and I suppose buffered?), non-parity (and parity?), ECC (or not), etc. I need advice on exactly what I need to look for and purchase. By the way, HP will charge me to talk to them about this and they'll still be winging it (my own experience). So, I think you guys can help me much better. Do I need to be concerned about putting new memory in any particular slot? Would a third 256MB stick help that much (giving me 768MB)? Would it be worth the effort/money or should I just go for the 1GB? To save money, should I go with two 512MB sticks or would one 1GB stick function better than two 256MB sticks? Is the Cas Latency that important? Is CL=2 better than CL=3, if so why? Any help or comments would be most appreciative. If I forgot about anything important, let me know....I need advice before I go shopping. Thanks guys.

[CWR03]

Did the unit come with 512MB of RAM, or did you already add one stick yourself? Some of these factory units don't accept off-the-shelf RAM at all, and it might be worth checking into before you spend the money.

You can sometimes find good deals on packages of matched RAM sticks, like two 512MB pieces for less money than a single 1GB piece. It shouldn't function differently either way. As far as the CAS latency, it's doubtful that your system can utilize lower than 3 anyway.

[burnselk]

Did the unit come with 512MB of RAM, or did you already add one stick yourself?

It came with 256MB of RAM, so I added another 256MB stick about two years ago.

Here's what "Crucial Memory" tells me I need: SDRAM, PC133 • CL=2 • Unbuffered • Non-parity • 133MHz • 3.3V • 64Meg x 64 . They supposedly did a scan of my computer and this is what they came up with.

Is CL=2 difficult to find and more expensive? What if I can't find Cas latency 2.....can I use CL=3 without problems?

Can I tell what latency I have installed by looking at the memory stick?

What does 64Meg x 64 mean?

[foxyshadis]

Buy two 512 sticks of the cheapest PC133 memory you can find at your store of choice. According to HP you only have two slots. ECC, parity, buffered, dual-channel don't exist for your system, and you probably won't have much choice of latency (you would never notice a difference between 2 and 3 on your system, as CWR says, all of your components have to be top-of-the-line before you can, which right off excludes Pavilions, plus with the wrong settings it can make your system unstable).

However, if you do want to see or set them (assuming your mobo supports changing at all), it's in the bios, probably under advanced. You'd have to reflash with the mobo maker's bios, because hp's hides all that. A bios flash is a good idea anyway if you're upgrading hardware, you just need to find one for your model: ASUS P4B-LA (according to HP).

[burnselk]

A bios flash is a good idea anyway if you're upgrading hardware, you just need to find one for your model: ASUS P4B-LA (according to HP).

Correct me if I'm wrong foxy but I read somewhere that it's best to leave the BIOS flash to the "experts" and I'm certainly no expert....not even close.....a newbie for sure....but wanting to learn.

I'll do most anything as long as I can completely understand what I'm doing and how to correct any problems.....with the help of people like you.

But, if my computer goes to pot because I don't know what I'm doing, how am I going to call upon you guys to help me? I do have a ancient compaq deskpro 4000 (very fast 200MHz...upgraded by me from 120MHz.....WOW I actually did something technical back in 1999) sitting over in the corner gathering dust....but it works (dial up only) if I ever need it for something like this maybe. Why am I keeping it? I don't know......maybe because it was my first REAL computer....and I even installed a new PSU, sound card, memory, cpu, cpu fan, and floppy drive in the darn thing....believe that's about it. It got me interested in using and learning about computers.....which I love.

[foxyshadis]

It used to be, and if it requires making a DOS boot disk, it might not be very reliable. But almost always they're simple one-click windows things these days, and relatively safe, no more dangerous than installing windows updates (which always have that very small chance of breaking it). Manufacturers test them very carefully, and if their flash isn't compatible with your board they'll say so before flashing. The problems they fix and the cool bios options it opens up usually outweigh that for me. ;)

(I've had luck getting just the image and using a third-party flasher, but that's a lot more dangerous.)

[theReal]

Buy two 512 sticks of the cheapest PC133 memory you can find at your store of choice.

I'd never buy the cheapest RAM, you'll only run into problems. Cheap no-name RAM is one of the reasons why so many Windows PCs crash regularly...

[leadman584]

What OS are you running?
Sounds like a silly question, but it matters. WinME and earlier systems support a maximum of 512MB of RAM.

I own a small repair shop, though I don't know everything. Latency timings are less crucial on single channel RAM sticks, than dual channel. Ideally they are all matched for best performance, but with SDRAM it is less critical.

On the BIOS flashing front, be darned sure your power supply is not interrupted in process. Most modern flashing programs are virtually dummy proof. You give the wrong data and it throws an error, and refuses to proceed.

[burnselk]

My HP Pavilion Model 7955 came preloaded with windows xp home edition....meaning I don't have a Windows XP HE reinstall disk.....what a concept!!!!

Thanks for your input.

[CWR03]

Many computer manufacturers include the Windows installation CD on their own disk along with drivers and other programs, usually labeled "Recovery CD." Only a few don't include the disk at all, and those typically have it on the hard drive in a partitioned section.

[burnselk]

Many computer manufacturers include the Windows installation CD on their own disk along with drivers and other programs, usually labeled "Recovery CD." Only a few don't include the disk at all, and those typically have it on the hard drive in a partitioned section.

The seven (7) cd's HP sent me are labeled "System Recovery" Disk 1, Disk 2, etc.

Would the Windows XP Home Edition be on one or more of these or would it likely be on the original hard drive?

If WinXP is on my original (primary) hard drive, can I copy it over to my newly installed 250GB "slave" hard drive? If so, how would I do that?

[HardwareGeek]

@burnselk,

I have never seen an OEM supplied Windows disc that was not clearly labeled as such, i.e. as "Windows XP". Have never seen a Windows installation disc copied to a hard drive from an OEM either. Not to say it can't be done, tho'. XP copies lots of files to a hard drive during installation, however. Unfortunately you can't just copy your XP installation to another drive.

All that being said, you do not need to re-install your XP in order to upgrade your memory.

A few thoughts on flashing the bios and type of SDRAM.

Conventional wisdom on flashing the bios has been don't do it unless you have a good reason. Upgrading the BIOS is often easier these days, but that doesn't make it any less risky. I'm not sure that upgrading your RAM is a good enough reason. (If you have already flashed your BIOS, however, with the latest and the great, more power to you and good job).

I would invest in good memory just so you can, to a certain extent, rule out memory as the problem in case your system starts to so something weird later on. But you do not need to pay the price premium for memory designed for overclockers either. CL2 memory strikes me as capable of very aggressive memory timing settings and primarily designed for cutting-edge enthusiasts. You want to buy two new sticks, as foxyshadis says, rather than try and add to what you have, because I've seen problems from mixing and matching different SKUs.

[burnselk]

I have not upgraded (flashed) my BIOS since I purchased this machine back in late (oct) 2001. I've been afraid to since I've read about some of the weird things that can happen when you do.

I'm seriously thinking about just changing the entire mobo, cpu, and memory....or just build a faster computer. This one has too many restrictions (200 watt power supply, a mobo with a 1.5GHz cpu that can only be upgraded to 1.6Ghz (according to HP), and expensive outdated PC133 SDRAM).

What do you think about the "build my own new computer" idea?

[foxyshadis]

For $200-300 you can gut your computer and build a significantly faster, cooler, quieter, and more expandable one. If you have the time and money and don't need the latest and greatest, it's a great choice. For a few hundred more you can get an X2, overclock the hell out of it, and have a freaking beast. =p And it isn't that much more expensive to get a pre-built mid-to-high-end computer from some internet shops, you just might not get quite as much flexibility as sourcing everything yourself.

[HardwareGeek]

What do you think about the "build my own new computer" idea?
I think it's a great idea.

Google "How to build a computer" to do some homework before you get started, if you've never done it before.

Give yourself plenty of time. It takes about a day if everything goes smoothly. But things almost never go smoothly, so realistically you're looking at a couple of days or weekends.

Athlon 64 X2 is a great CPU, as foxyshadis suggests. If you want Intel, now is a great time to wait, since they have a much better part coming out in a few months (codename Conroe). AMD is also introducing a new platform, but the performance discrepancy between new and old in AMD's case is not nearly as great.

ASUS is the largest motherboard manufacturer and makes good motherboards for first-timers, because everthing is clearly labeled on the board.

If as you say all you have is a 200 watt power supply unit (PSU), then you need a new power supply. Consider a new case, since most cases come with power supplies (and 1 case + PSU can even cost less than a power supply!). I like Antec, but there's lots of good others.

You can save money by ordering parts online. But if this is your first time, you might want to purchase from a local brick and mortar electronics store, so you can return things more easily.

You've generally got two weeks to return CPUs, memory, sometimes hard drives, at most U.S. at electronics stores, four weeks for motherboards, cases, graphics cards. This is important because if you cannot get your system to work, you want to be able to return or exchange parts and have another go at it.

I would buy good components and not try to save lots of money on, say, RAM or a cheap motherboard. I've been burned, and its frustrating and very time-consuming to have to keep making trips out to the electronics shop.

You're doing this to learn and because you like to build things. Do not expect to save lots of $$ by building your own. You may even end up spending a little more. But at the end of the day, it's your computer, built the way you want it.

[burnselk]

Thanks for the very informative and encouraging information guys.

I'm convinced I should at least think about building my own system....especially since I've wanted to for a while.

Hardwaregeek, you provided some very good advice. If and when I do get into this project, I'll be calling on you guys for help.

Thanks again.

[HardwareGeek]

Hi burnselk,

Thanks for the thanks, and good luck, if and when you ever decide to BYO (build your own)!