I have a few questions about upgrading my RAM on my computer.
I currently have two 8MB simms in bank 0 on my motherboard.
I do not know if they are 60 or 70ns in speed, or whether they
are EDO, nonparity, or parity.  The only things that I DO know about
them is that they are 72 pin, and each SIMM is 8MB.
On the invoice that got with my computer, the only line to describe my
RAM was this:  "SIM 8M 2x32-7"

I want to buy two 16MB SIMMs for my computer to upgrade to
48 total MB of memory.  I see a really good deal on EDO 60ns
RAM in "Computer Shopper" but I do not know if it will work with
the RAM I have right now.  In the ad, it says this:
"72 pin 4x32 16MB 60ns EDO     $70"

Do you know if this is what will work?  On IRC somebody said it
would work mixing EDO ram with non-EDO ram (if I dont have EDO
already).  They said to put the 60ns in bank 0 so it would
access the faster ram first for more speed.  Is this correct?
Is there anything else I should know about this?  All the
people I've talked to about RAM so far have been extremely vague
and I am not quite sure what I'm looking for.  I do know that I
could use the extra 32MB of ram to add to my 16.

So, what do you think?  I think this company has a web site too
(http://www.ram4less.com)

12 responses total.

If you already have EDO, you'd know it from something.

As to your current RAM,
2x32-7
translates to
2x means 8Mb (not sure how, but 1x is 4M...)
32 means 32 bits, meaning non-parity.  Parity would have been 2x36, with the
extra four being a parity bit for each 8 bits from the 32.  

-7 should indicate 70ns, which is the common memory for 33MHz.

Not sure about mixing EDO/non-EDO, probably it doesn't work.  You should be
looking for non-parity 70 ns RAM, and you do want to buy the SIMMs in pairs
if you are running a Pentium.

I think the first number is millions of cells (or whatever you would call 
them). So 1x32 would be 1 million 32-bit (4 byte) cells, or 4 MB.

I think mixing EDO and non-EDO depends on the motherboard.  Some will
handle it while others will not.

True.  Some boards will be OK, others not.  Some boards will be happy with
the 16s in the second bank, others the first.  The slower ram should probably
go in the first bank so the computer won't try to talk 60ns to the slower ram
and generate errors.  Some boards may not like anything that isn't a natural
power of two making 48 impossible, but those boards are more rare.  If you
have the manual for the board, it should mention these things.  If not you
should find out from your source.  Good luck, and have fun with all that RAM.
;)

I bought the more expensive non-parity 70ns ram, and it worked
now I have 48mb

Congratulations.  I wish I had a real computer, but since the interrupt
controller on mine is going flakey, I *will* have soon.

I wish *I* were going to have a real computer soon! <sigh>

hey! im looking for cheap, used 32 pin RAM! 4- 4 megs simms would be lovely!
does anyone know where/who i should go to to find stuff like this? all the
wonderful "pillars of computing in a2" have already sent me all to eachother
in a circle (yeah, CCS, MCRS, Comp. Ren.) .... where else is there?

looking to upgrade,
Irving

You mean 30 pin, not 32.  Try AMTECH.  $25 for 60 / 70 ns, 3 chip, new.

amtech? where?

Off of Carpenter, across the street from Meijers.  They are in the A^2
directory.

A friend and I went to U&B Computers in Canton. Found 30-pin 1MB... $5. Yeeps!
I think it's used, but they've either tested or will test it for you.
(Also got a killer deal on a 4x CD-ROM...$20! The guy said it was a Panasonic
interface, turned out to be IDE...)

Yea, you can find good deals if you look around.  I picked up four, 1M, 30
pin, 60ns, used but good, SIMMs for $10 total at the Dayton swap.  Yesterday,
at PD, I got a Mac SE/30, sans HD, FD and memory, for $10.

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