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Compatibility? PC3200 vs PC2700

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22over7:
I am trying to rehabilitate an elderly PC for an elderly lady who retains most of her marbles, but is house-bound. Digs email, photos, etc.
An issue arises, about PC3200 vs PC2700 memory.

Her computer has two 184pin DIMM slots, ond one actual DIMM, labelled PC3200U-30331-C1 (DDR, 400, CL3). It runs (XP, I'm afraid) like a comatose snail.
A label on the back of her computer identifies it as a Packard Bell iMedia 3034. Numbers on the motherboard suggest it is a Gigabyte D33006.

Many people claim to offer compatible memory for this model: eg Crucial http://uk.crucial.com/gbr/en/imedia-3034/CT408426, offering 184-pin 1GB modules: DDR PC2700 • CL=2.5 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR333 • 2.5V • 128Meg x 64 .  I'm contemplating, worriedly, putting in 2 such 1GB PC2700 DIMMs. Is this unsafe or inadvisable?

Googling (eg. http://www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=339089
leads me to think that the PC2700 DIMM's will be a bit slower (333 vs 400), but safe, and worthwhile.

Any advice would be much appreciated. (Further topics: SSDs, how to inveigle old ladies onto windows 10, etc)

d2d4j:
Hi 22over7

Personally I would not advise anyone to spend any money on an old pc and go straight to a supported computer

Your going back though to times of old, and in distant past memory, most M/B were backward compatible with only a few exceptions

Many thanks

John

22over7:
@d2d4j

Of course I agree with the general principle of going straight to a supported computer.
In this case though, for reasons I don't want to go into, I have to pretend it's cost me nothing.

As it is, I noticed someone reputable selling two "used" 1GB PC3200 DIMMs via amazon,
like the 256Mb DIMM she has, for £6.98.  I can't even buy two pints of drinkable beer for that!
If they work, well, I hardly have to pretend.  If not, I'll gladly shell out £30-ish more on new PC2700 DIMMs.

licquorice:
By sheer coincidence I have just scrapped an old PC and removed the memory sticks. I have 2 PC3200U-30330 512MB DDR 400Mhz CL3 that you are welcome to have if they are of use to you.

22over7:
That's very nice of you @licquorice. 

I might contact you midweek-ish, should the sticks I've just ordered turn out not to work.
If I don't, thanks anyway for the kind offer.

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