My current ram is 64mb PC133 SDRAM & am looking to upgrade to 3 sticks of 128mb which is the max allowed on the mobo (A-Trend ATC-7100M) but am confused by some specs for the new sticks.

Can I mix SINGLE sided with double sided and is PC133 the same as 133mhz :-? Can I mix a four chip stick with a sixteen or eight chip stick :-?

ThanksIt all depends on the motherboard. Check the motherboard maker's site or www.crucial.com and see EXACTLY what you need. Variations to this MAY work, but it could also be an expensive gamble if not.

How old is that board and what kind of processor is on it?

THANKS Gx.

I have downloaded the manufacturers specs for the mobo, this is an extract from the .pdf file:

DRAM type, Size, parity supported:
Unbuffered SDRAM with spd.
Both parity and non-parity available.
3.3v, single/double side 8/16/32/64/128/256mb
(max memory size 128mb SDRAM, 256mb EDO Dram)

That doesn't quite answer my queries. The 64mb stick in use has four chips.

Crucial is very good but didn't find the answers there either. Was hoping not to have to buy three brand new sticks at vast expense.

I cannot tie down the actual year of manufacture of the mobo except that it was not before 1999. The processor is given by Everest as an Intel Celeron-A, 400mhz (6 x 67)

You can get usable RAM off eBay, but get low density, as your processor and MB are so elderly to prevent problems. If you can get all chips from the same person with some sort of return option that is even better. 3 x 128 meg chips seem to be the max.

If you GO to the local store, they will likely only have high density as that is the latest thing made. Again, if there is a chance to return it if it doesn't work.....

Where are you planning on shopping, and what exactly are you looking at?Thanks again GX.

I'm probably gonna look at on-line auctions for the 3x128mb sticks but first must get my head around this double/single sided question and whether sticks with different chip numbers can be mixed. Also the :-? about whether pc133 and 133mhz mean the same. Have seen many ram sticks for sale but the posted details differ and are confusing, to me anyway.

I guess I'll have to just try to find three identical sticks and hope for the best.

Just bought 2 128 pc133 sticks off ebay for 7 bucks a piece. Worked fine.I have never Had a Problem Mixing PC133 Ram Sticks , ive Mixed a lot of differnt TYPES, and Sizes.

But problems can happen , so dont spened too much money.

Newer Ram is much more touchyPanboy - thank you.

Just for the heck of it I will mix double/single sided and different numbers of chips. Got some el-cheapo sticks coming my way, will report back when I've tried them out.

Frequently that WORKS out OK. Again, it depends on the motherboard AND the RAM.