Ram type & speed

**TheFu** · January 5th, 2021

Code:

sudo dmidecode -t 17

shows the speed being used, not the speed for which the RAM is rated. For DDR4, even using identical RAM model from the same vendor doesn't mean addon RAM will run at that speed. I'm running at 2800Mhz with RAM that is all rated for 3200Mhz for this reason. Even a little faster and the system is unstable.

But with DDR3, is was fairly safe IME, even to mix RAM vendors with limits.

I don't recall DDR2 being easy, but memory isn't clear.

**Keith_Helms** · January 5th, 2021

Originally Posted by TheFu

Code:

sudo dmidecode -t 17

shows the speed being used, not the speed for which the RAM is rated. For DDR4, even using identical RAM model from the same vendor doesn't mean addon RAM will run at that speed. I'm running at 2800Mhz with RAM that is all rated for 3200Mhz for this reason. Even a little faster and the system is unstable.

But with DDR3, is was fairly safe IME, even to mix RAM vendors with limits.

I don't recall DDR2 being easy, but memory isn't clear.

True, it shows the actual speed the system is running the ram at, but unless you're overclocking that's a good starting point for buying additional memory.

**oldfred** · January 5th, 2021

If you have 2GB of RAM, you have install, just not full Ubuntu as it wants more RAM.
But what video chip? Some older motherboards are not well supported.

I have 64 bit 20.04 Kubuntu installed in my 2006 laptop which is Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU T5500 @ 1.66GHz with 1.5GB of RAM and uses Intel video.
Functional, not great, but I have Kubuntu on all my other systems, so want same configuration.
Tried installing full Ubuntu and it just hung, 16.04 had worked, but really slow until I installed fallback. Did install 20.04 server and added fallback, but took a lot of effort. Kubuntu just worked.

Kubuntu is not particularly lightweight but a bit better than Ubuntu.
Other lightweight versions may be better.
Light weight flavors:
Lubuntu, xubuntu, Ubuntu MATE, Budgie
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuFlavors

**Yellow Pasque** · January 5th, 2021

How do I know the required speed of RAM commensurate with my PC for purchasing another one?

Read your motherboard or system manual. Or look at dmidecode and try to figure it out. Or look in BIOS.

Originally Posted by TheFu

I probably wouldn't spend $10 to upgrade RAM on a computer that old.

It depends on what you're doing and whether your satisfied with the current performance.
I recently had an Athlon X2 5050 system (similar vintage to OP's system) with 2GB of RAM and it worked fairly well for general use, but the RAM was definitely a bottleneck, especially when web browsing. Adding some more RAM allowed me to put off building a new system until my financial situation was better.

**AnupamMitra** · January 6th, 2021

Originally Posted by TheFu

A Q8400 is about 3x faster CPU that will work in the same motherboard. It uses DDR3.

How can I say this nicely. Sometimes RAM upgrades are a bad idea without replacing everything else too. I probably wouldn't spend $10 to upgrade RAM on a computer that old.

I bet you can find a Q8400 + MB + 8G of RAM for $40 somewhere. I'd be happy to get $40 for my E6600 + 8G RAM and MB. One person's junk is another person's goldmine. If spending $80 is possible, then an off-lease business computer with a Core i5 could be found that is 4-8x faster with plenty of RAM. And if your case is standard, replacing the MB + CPU +RAM can often been done for $200 total to provide 10x+ more performance.

At this point of time, I'm unable to invest more for changing everything. Cost of only 8GB RAM in India is now equivalent to $54. Changing of Processor and MB is a dream for me. That's the reason I preferred for upgrading RAM.

**Yellow Pasque** · January 6th, 2021

Originally Posted by AnupamMitra

At this point of time, I'm unable to invest more for changing everything. Cost of only 8GB RAM in India is now equivalent to $54. Changing of Processor and MB is a dream for me. That's the reason I preferred for upgrading RAM.

That's great, but you still have not told us what system/motherboard you have or showed output from:

Code:

sudo dmidecode -t 17

We cannot answer your question without this information.

**AnupamMitra** · February 23rd, 2021

Originally Posted by Yellow Pasque

That's great, but you still have not told us what system/motherboard you have or showed output from:

Code:

sudo dmidecode -t 17

We cannot answer your question without this information.

Sorry, I couldn't reply you early due to my sudden and long indisposition. Hope, you won't mind.

However, I submit the output hereunder.

Code:

naresh@naresh-G31T-M2:~$ sudo dmidecode -t 17
[sudo] password for naresh: 
# dmidecode 3.1
Getting SMBIOS data from sysfs.
SMBIOS 2.5 present.

Handle 0x000F, DMI type 17, 27 bytes
Memory Device
    Array Handle: 0x000D
    Error Information Handle: Not Provided
    Total Width: 64 bits
    Data Width: 64 bits
    Size: 2048 MB
    Form Factor: DIMM
    Set: None
    Locator: DIMM0
    Bank Locator: BANK0
    Type: SDRAM
    Type Detail: Synchronous
    Speed: Unknown
    Manufacturer: Manufacturer0
    Serial Number: SerNum0
    Asset Tag: AssetTagNum0
    Part Number: PartNum0

Handle 0x0011, DMI type 17, 27 bytes
Memory Device
    Array Handle: 0x000D
    Error Information Handle: Not Provided
    Total Width: Unknown
    Data Width: Unknown
    Size: No Module Installed
    Form Factor: DIMM
    Set: None
    Locator: DIMM1
    Bank Locator: BANK1
    Type: Unknown
    Type Detail: Unknown
    Speed: Unknown
    Manufacturer: Manufacturer1
    Serial Number: SerNum1
    Asset Tag: AssetTagNum1
    Part Number: PartNum1

naresh@naresh-G31T-M2:~$