RAM HP says 1 type while the BIOS & 2 stores say another........CONFUSED...:-)

ky2gsd · ‎12-03-2008

First time here, and think this should be very simple but...... I have a desktop HP A708n

w/ 512 ram here's the situation.... Hp says the added ram memory is PC3200 DDR400 333MHz 184 pin...- Best Buy says PC 2700 DDR SDRAM 333MHZ 184 pin and PCWorld says PC2700 DDR SDRAM ... My BIOS say 2700 DDR.........NOthing about SDRAM...

Somebody please advise me which to buy..... Makes no sense that HP would be off on their product.... Ideas very welcome

Just to add this is a "replacement" from a previous LEMON don't know if that's an issue or not...

Jacquie

Matthew-GS · ‎09-29-2008

Welcome, Jacquie!

Upgrading RAM confuses many people, so you are not alone. I sometimes select RAM by using the Best Buy® website Memory Finder and cross reference with the manufacturer, just as you have done. However I did find corroborating information on HP’s website for your model A708n. Listed below are your specifications and pay special attention to the maximum allowed RAM. In your case you may add one 512 MB PC2700 to the existing memory (RAM) in the open slot OR you may replace the existing chip with one 1 GB PC2700 stick.

Memory

Component	Attributes
Memory Installed	512 MB (1 x 512)
Maximum allowed	1 GB (2 x 512 MB)
Speed supported	PC2700 MB/sec
Type	184 pin, DDR SDRAM
DIMM slots	Two
Open DIMM slots	One

Now, what does all this mean? The information you found was also technically correct. We refer to the speed of RAM in terms of PCxxxx where “x” is a maximum number at which the chip will perform well. This is to imply that some chips may “clock down” or slow down to lower speeds without much issue. A PC3200 memory stick may be usable in a motherboard which only goes as fast as PC2700. Think of it more like driving behind a tractor – your car can usually go faster, but you are limited by that big green thing in front of you. Oh, and to clarify, “DDR RAM” is synonymous with “SDRAM.” There is a newer type of RAM called “DDR2” for newer computers which includes speeds above PC3200. This type of RAM is a whole other topic, but just remember that DDR2 RAM is NOT compatible with computers that use “DDR.” Please read the packaging carefully so as not to accidently confuse the two. When in doubt, let Geek Squad® check it out!