Korean Job Discussion Forums

[quadra87]

Ok...I am planning to upgrade the ram on my computer. As I am a bit computer stupid, I have a few questions.

If I go to the electronics market, will this information be enought to get the ram I need:

Processor Summary
Processor: Intel Pentium III 500 MHz
Coprocessor: Internal
CPU Clock: 501.2 MHz (5.0 x 100.2 MHz)
Level 1 Cache: 16+16 kB (data+instr.)
Level 2 Cache: 512 kB

Motherboard Summary
Manufacturer: EliteGroup Computer System Co. Ltd.
Model: P6BAT-ME
Product #: 693-596-W977EF
Version: 1.1

Memory Summary
Manufacturer: Samsung
Memory Type: 64MB PC100 SDRAM
Product #: KMM3 66S 823CTS-GL
Module Type: DIMM
Number of Slots: 3

If not, what else do I need? Would it be better if I just pop the ram out of my computer and bring it with me?

Also, I am looking to go from my meager 64mb to 512mb. Any advice on types of Ram, brands to avoid, etc?

What price should I be looking at approximately?

Any help or advice would be great. If anyone knows of a online computer shop in Korea with an English section, that would be great too.
Thanks

[christopher1magelli]

Your MB can hold 768 of ram max.
Your one 64 MB is pretty useless. Toss it!
You should get 2x 256 MB (pc 133 sdram). Cost 35-40 each.
While you are at it you should upgrade your cpu.
I suggest 850Mhz or higher Socket 370. Cost 50-75.

Happy Upgrading!

[quadra87]

Thanks for your response.
From what I can tell from my searching, my motherboard takes 168pin-DIMM ram.
So, I should be looking for 2X256 MB (pc 133 sdram) 168pin- DIMM.
Is this all the info I need (been looking at Korean online site...think I got it figured out...just don't want to order the wrong type.)
Thanks again

[Demophobe]

768MB of RAM?

Better check that. 384MB max. I believe.

Why get PC133 RAM? The board doesn't support it.

[Bulsajo]

Quadra- Listen to Demo.
Christopher- you need to take another look at the specs Quadra posted.

[kprrok]

Demo's right. Here are the specs for your motherboard.

A quick search of Danawa gave Samsung 128mb 168pin at 12.000 won each. Your board can take 3, so that'd be 36.000 total to really increase the RAM.

KPRROK

[Pangit]

Also, if you upgrade the processor, note that it's a slot 1 (secc2) cartridge, and not a socket 370 that you should be buying

[Derrek]

If you have any doubts, just pull the ram and take it along with you. You could probably trade it in for $5 or something.

And if you can't find PC100 ram for some reason, you can still buy the PC133, and it will automatically step down to PC100 speed.

[Bulsajo]

It's a PIII 500Mhz board- time to think about upgrading that before shelling out any money on more RAM and a slot1 processor.

Can you find PC100 RAM and slot1 processors easily in Korea these days?

A couple of years back I went about upgrading an old PIII board and had the damnedest time finding a processor and RAM- the stuff is old but the few people that have it don't sell it for what you might expect to get if for- remember the prices of RAM 5-6 years ago?

[Demophobe]

In Yongsan there is a graveyard of sorts...let's call it a retirement home.....I can find it, but can't seem to think of the directions off-hand. I guess it's kind of auto-pilot in that zoo....

Anyways, you can find all sorts of old stuff there. (S3 graphics anyone?!) You could probably go nuts and blow 50,000 won and walk away with a better mainboard, CPU and RAM. By better, I mean....well....faster than what you have.

See chris....we all make mistakes.

[quadra87]

Yargh...I just ordered and paid for 2X256 MB (pc 133 sdram) 168pin- DIMM
yesterday. I used a memory advisor site,and when I looked up my mother board it shoed it supporting pc 133 sdram.
http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.asp?Mfr%2BProductline=Elite+Group+%28ECS%29%2B+Motherboards&mfr=Elite+Group+%28ECS%29&cat=&model=P6BAT-Me&submit=Go

Derrek, you mentioned that if I used the pc133 it will step down to pc100...so it will still work?
shoulda done more research

I will try the ram when it arrives and see what happens.
P.S. I know my computer is some old, but I am planning to buy new one next Jan. This was a freebee that I am just keeping alive till then.

[Bulsajo]

I don't think your problem lies in the speed (Derrek is right) but rather whether your board will support 2x256MB DIMMs.
only 1 way to find out for sure....

[Demophobe]

PC133 RAM isn't too far out of spec and it really should work. I only saw PC100 listed on the specs (from a number of sources), but who knows? You may get lucky.

You may have to go into the BIOS and change a setting (if it's there at all) for the BIOS not to read the RAM "by spd" (by speed). This may override the RAM default of PC133 and allow it to drop down.

This is assuming that it doesn't just work after plugging it in. Only mess with the BIOS as a last resort.

If you did blow it, at least it was cheap.

[Pangit]

PC133 RAM will work fine at a 100MHz bus frequency. The problem is the amount of memory you're installing into the system. It simply won't recognize more than 384 MB. You want to install one 256 MB module and one 128 MB module, and they can be any combination of PC100 or PC133.

Just take your 256 MB module and trade it down for a 128 MB module someplace.

And look into getting an 850 MHz slot 1 processor if you really want to get the most out of that motherboard. That's if you want to keep it for a while longer.

[quadra87]

Ok...Thanks for all the responses.
Here is what I am going to do when my ram shows up.

1) Take out my 64mb pc100 ram
2) Put in the 2x 256 pc133 ram (just on the odd chance it will work).
3) If that doesn't work, only put in 1X256 pc133 ram and my pc100 64mb ram, giving me a grand total of 325 mb ram.
4) If this doesn't work, only put in 1x 256 pc133 ram.
5) If this doesn't work, put back in my 64 mb pc100 ram, and hand out my new ram to the homeless.

Thanks again for all the help.