Can RAM work with my CPU?

[DaSheepKing]

Hello, I am new to PC building/upgrading. I've watched a ton of videos on how to build PCs, install new parts in PCs, etc. I recently got into PC gaming, but realized that my prebuilt "Office" PC was not up to the task. So, since I do not have the money to build a new system, I made the decision to upgrade. Of course, I started thinking of compatibility issues and stuff, but I figured out that I can install a 750 ti, a new power supply, and a new hard drive for extra space. But my RAM is only 4gbs so I figured if I really want to get into PC gaming I am going to need 8gbs (or more). Apparently, my CPU (Intel Pentium G640 2 Cores 2 Threads 2.80 GHz) only supports DDR3 1066 Memory? I have no idea what this means, which is why I am writing this story on here. It says it on Intel's website, link: http://ark.intel.com/products/53486/Intel-Pentium-Processor-G640-3M-Cache-2_80-GHz. Does this mean I can only install DDR3 1066 RAM? I don't want to blow $40 on RAM and find out I can't use it. Please enlighten me on this topic. 

 

[Electronics Wizardy]

You can put any ddr3 in it, but it will clock it at 1066. It will work fine with 1333,1600,1866, or any other speed. Just buy the cheapest.

[JefferyD90]

3 minutes ago, DaSheepKing said:

Hello, I am new to PC building/upgrading. I've watched a ton of videos on how to build PCs, install new parts in PCs, etc. I recently got into PC gaming, but realized that my prebuilt "Office" PC was not up to the task. So, since I do not have the money to build a new system, I made the decision to upgrade. Of course, I started thinking of compatibility issues and stuff, but I figured out that I can install a 750 ti, a new power supply, and a new hard drive for extra space. But my RAM is only 4gbs so I figured if I really want to get into PC gaming I am going to need 8gbs (or more). Apparently, my CPU (Intel Pentium G640 2 Cores 2 Threads 2.80 GHz) only supports DDR3 1066 Memory? I have no idea what this means, which is why I am writing this story on here. It says it on Intel's website, link: http://ark.intel.com/products/53486/Intel-Pentium-Processor-G640-3M-Cache-2_80-GHz. Does this mean I can only install DDR3 1066 RAM? I don't want to blow $40 on RAM and find out I can't use it. Please enlighten me on this topic. 

 

You need to look up your motherboard and figure out what RAM modules are on the QVL list.

[Mrhappyjolly]

First off, well done for doing the hard work figuring stuff out. 

 

A great place to check is crucial.com, they have a memory checker which will tell you what ram is compatable with your system if it is a store bought one. 

 

It's always best to install matching pairs of ram, so if you have 1x4gb stick of DDR3 1066 ram, get another 1x 4gb stick of DDR3 1066 ram.

 

Ram comes in two main types, laptop and desktop. Clearly your looking for desktop ram so make sure on that too. As I said, start off at crucial.com then post a link here with any ram you find, we'll check it for ya!

[Zyndo]

8 minutes ago, JefferyD90 said:

You need to look up your motherboard and figure out what RAM modules are on the QVL list.

This isn't exactly 100% true... All this will do is show a list of things they have tried and verified working. Whilst this is probably something you should follow, there are tons of times where you can buy a set of ram that isn't on the list and have it work totally fine (so long as you aren't trying to do something like put DDR3 RAM into a DDR4 motherboard or some nonsense like that)

[TetraSky]

While Intel's spec sheet says it only support 1066, it should also technically still accept 1333/1600 RAM. (Mine says it only accept up to 1333, I'm using 1600)

As long as the RAM you take is 100% compatible(DDR3, 1066), it will work. (which really, it should be, most of the stuff like "for AMD" or "For Intel", "SLI ready", etc... is marketing fluff)

 

Though I still recommend you just buy DDR3 1066 RAM, to match your current RAM, there's no point getting 1333 or higher as I doubt your pre-built even has the capability to use that higher speed(overclock). But if you do get a higher speed RAM, it should, normally, downclock itself to 1066 automatically.

 

As long as you avoid RAM that's marketed as "high density" it should work. (those generally require newer system, it's a gamble with older PCs, for a single 4GB stick shouldn't be high density)

[JefferyD90]

1 minute ago, Zyndo said:

This isn't exactly 100% true... All this will do is show a list of things they have tried and verified working. Whilst this is probably something you should follow, there are tons of times where you can buy a set of ram that isn't on the list and have it work totally fine (so long as you aren't trying to do something like put DDR3 RAM into a DDR4 motherboard or some nonsense like that)

With OEM motherboards, (Samsung is the worst vendor for this) they will ONLY load profiles for their specific RAM sticks in the BIOS.  Samsung will often times only load profiles for Samsung RAM, grr...  haha

 

Yea, I know 9/10 sticks of RAM will work in aftermarket boards, but you'd be surprised how often it doesn't work in OEM boards.  Additionally, I wouldn't mix RAM at ALL, especially with OEM boards.  I'd throw away the OEM stick and get yourself a FULL replacement kit.  Most OEM boards cant handle multiple timings in the different slots.

[TetraSky]

2 minutes ago, JefferyD90 said:

With OEM motherboards, (Samsung is the worst vendor for this) they will ONLY load profiles for their specific RAM sticks in the BIOS.  Samsung will often times only load profiles for Samsung RAM, grr...  haha

 

Yea, I know 9/10 sticks of RAM will work in aftermarket boards, but you'd be surprised how often it doesn't work in OEM boards.  Additionally, I wouldn't mix RAM at ALL, especially with OEM boards.  I'd throw away the OEM stick and get yourself a FULL replacement kit.  Most OEM boards cant handle multiple timings in the different slots.

Really? That's still a thing? I knew Apple was doing it now, but I thought the other manufacturers of pre-built stopped doing this kind of terrible practice a few years ago.

[JefferyD90]

1 minute ago, TetraSky said:

Really? That's still a thing? I knew Apple was doing it now, but I thought the other manufacturers of pre-built stopped doing this kind of terrible practice a few years ago.

Hp does it A LOT too...  Go look on Amazon, there is TONS of HP branded RAM because that shit still is a thing.

 

Now, with these, honestly half the RAM out there will work...  Especially the "common" ones like Crucial.  But I hate for dude to waste his time/money AND incompatiable RAM is one of the worst things in the world to have to troubleshoot and deal with.  It will cause the system to stutter, but never blue screen...  It can cause corrupted files making it look like a storage issue...  and worse of all, it can just cause poor performance!

 

Memory is still REALLY important to look at.

[spartaman64]

16 minutes ago, JefferyD90 said:

With OEM motherboards, (Samsung is the worst vendor for this) they will ONLY load profiles for their specific RAM sticks in the BIOS.  Samsung will often times only load profiles for Samsung RAM, grr...  haha

 

Yea, I know 9/10 sticks of RAM will work in aftermarket boards, but you'd be surprised how often it doesn't work in OEM boards.  Additionally, I wouldn't mix RAM at ALL, especially with OEM boards.  I'd throw away the OEM stick and get yourself a FULL replacement kit.  Most OEM boards cant handle multiple timings in the different slots.

samsung makes PC motherboard?

[spartaman64]

worst thing that can happen is your ram wont run at its max speed

[JefferyD90]

2 minutes ago, spartaman64 said:

samsung makes PC motherboard?

Samsung makes whole computers, where have you been?!?!

 

http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/all-in-one-pcs

[spartaman64]

1 minute ago, JefferyD90 said:

Samsung makes whole computers, where have you been?!?!

 

http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/all-in-one-pcs

oh AIO and laptops yes that would be what i expect i thought you were saying they made desktop computer motherboards lol

[JefferyD90]

1 minute ago, spartaman64 said:

oh AIO and laptops yes that would be what i expect i thought you were saying they made desktop computer motherboards lol

We're talking about OEM machines here on this thread.

[spartaman64]

1 minute ago, JefferyD90 said:

We're talking about OEM machines here on this thread.

yes there are OEM desktop computers anyways my mistake