RAM Speed
 

Before we start here are my specs (courtesy of Everest home edition):
CPU Properties
CPU Type: Intel Pentium 4A
CPU Alias : Northwood, A80532
CPUID CPU Name: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80GHz
CPUID Revision: 00000F27h

CPU Speed
CPU Clock: 2792.92 MHz (original: 2800 MHz)
CPU Multiplier: 21.0x
CPU FSB: 133.00 MHz (original: 133 MHz)
Memory Bus: 133.00 MHz

CPU Cache
L1 Trace Cache: 12K Instructions
L1 Data Cache: 8 KB
L2 Cache : 512 KB (On-Die, ECC, ATC, Full-Speed)

Motherboard Name TOSHIBA Satellite 2450

Chipset Properties
Motherboard Chipset: Intel Brookdale i845E
Memory Timings: 2.5-3-3-6 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS)

SPD Memory Modules
DIMM1:
Corsair VS512SDS266 512 MB PC2700 DDR SDRAM (2.5-3-3-6 @ 133 MHz)
DIMM2:
Corsair VS512SDS266 512 MB PC2700 DDR SDRAM (2.5-3-3-6 @ 133 MHz)


Graphics Processor Properties
DirectX: 4.09.00.0904 (DirectX 9.0c)
Video Adapter : nVIDIA GeForce4 420 Go
GPU Code Name: NV17M (AGP 4x 10DE / 0175, Rev A3)
GPU Clock: 199 MHz
Memory Clock: 202 MHz

Memory Module Properties
Module Name: Corsair VS512SDS266
Serial Number: None
Module Size: 512 MB (2 rows, 4 banks)
Module Type: Unbuffered
Memory Type: DDR SDRAM
Memory Speed: PC2700 (166 MHz)
Module Width: 64 bit
Module Voltage: SSTL 2.5
Error Detection Method: None
Refresh Rate: Reduced (7.8 us), Self-Refresh

Memory Timings
@ 133 MHz: 2.5-3-3-6 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS)


So here's the deal: I wanted to increase my system RAM to the max allowed for my laptop which was 1GB (from 512MB), so I researched it, (the RAM I had already was PC2100 SODIMM 2x256MB), and ordered 2 bricks of 512MB PC2100 SODIMM. The new RAM was 266 mHz (and the Everest told me that the RAM I already had, was running at 133 mHz), and I figured that the speed increase was just the icing on the cake. So the new RAM arrived and I installed it without a problem. But as you can see from the specs, the new RAM is PC2700 and it only shows it's speed as 166 mhz (but it said on the chip 266 mHz). Since it works in my system, and things are definately faster, I'm not complaining. I would just like to know if the reason for the different speed is something to do with my mobo/cpu/fsb speed? And can this be tweaked (safely)? Or perhaps is the RAM faulty and I should send it back?

Definitely read that wrong.

Ok, PC2700 = DDR333, which means that the memory actually runs at 166Mhz but there's a double data rate, so the effective speed is really 333Mhz. PC2100 = DDR266 (I think), so the actual memory speed is 133Mhz. So it sounds like it's running a little better than it actually should. That 266Mhz on the chip is probably DDR266...so congrats, you're running faster than advertised.

Basically your PC2700 is running at PC2100 speeds, PC2100 (DDR266) runs at 133 Mhz but does two operations per cycle so 133 turns into an effective 266 (133 x 2). From what I gather your laptop is limited to PC2100 speeds so your still at the same speed, just more memory now.

"Perhaps today is a good day to die... Prepare for RAMming speed!"

Sorry, someone had to say it...

thanks, figures it's another canuck

It looks like they sent you PC2700 RAM. Your CPU is 133 MHz external FSB, so it's not gonna let the RAM run any faster than PC2100. No problems, it just appears that they sent you PC2700 instead of 2100.

Of course, it could be the program simply not detecting the RAM properly. I'd go with them sending you faster RAM than you bought, though...or you accidently ordering 2700 without realizing it. :)

-Lasereth