Wheres the best place to buy RAM?

[Mad Dave]

Hi Guys,

Ive got an old Athlon 800mhz PC and i'd quite like to upgrade it with some more RAM (it only has 256mb). As the machine is so old, im assuming it has 133mhz SDRAM DIMMs. Ive had a look on a few websites and this one looks pretty good:

www.aria.co.uk/ProductsList.asp?Name=SDRAM

Im looking at the one at the bottom. All the items above it are out of stock, despite being slower - why would this be? Also, if my system is indeed 100mhz or 133mhz, will this RAM be compatible?

Thanks,

Dave

[docevi1]

133 is backwards compatible to 100 speeds.

Check out www.overclockers.co.uk, www.dabs.com, www.overclock.co.uk, www.aria.com, www.scan.co.uk, www.crucial.com, www.komplett.co.uk, www.microwarehouse.co.uk...

[pdV6]

Mad Dave said:

Im looking at the one at the bottom. All the items above it are out of stock, despite being slower - why would this be?

Most manufacturers gear up for producing the latest whizz-bang stuff. After a (very) few years, there's little demand for the older stuff, hence it becomes expensive to produce (i.e. in small, uneconomical batches). 1/2 the time they simply don't bother, so existing stock gradually runs out.

[Mad Dave]

Thanks guys - isn't overclockers run by a fellow PHer?

[docevi1]

Yep, Spie.

There was a topic on here a few months back (by me) regarding that

[thepassenger]

Ahh, PC-133 SDRAM, I had tons of that kicking around a while back.

If none of the links given above work for you, then give ebay a quick whirl, PC133 was very common for quite a few years so you shouldn't have any problems find it.

You can possibly use PC100 at a pinch, but it would be best to kit out your computer with one type and not mix them.

[d3ano]

How many Megs are you after Mad Dave? might have some sticks lying around somewhere. I think that they are in 64 and the 128 flavour though.

[Mad Dave]

Thanks Dano. I actually spotted a Kingston 512mb SDRAM card on ebay tonight - its used, but should work. The seller also promises to refund the money if it doesnt work (though ill believe that if I see it!).

£29.50.

Worth a whirl at that price IMO.

Thanks all,

Dave

[d3ano]

no probs
d3ano.

[jgmadkit]

Might be worth checking that your Motherboard can take a 512 stick before buying. A lot round that age are limited to 256Mb per slot.

Cheers, John

[Mad Dave]

Now that would be a bit of a bastard!!! Too late now though, I guess i'll just have to buy it and hope for the best.