what type of ram do i need?

djt0607

Hi,

I bought a desktop about 8 or 9 years ago. Its a gateway 800mhz pentium 3 desktop. It is still running in top condition, however, i am looking to put a bit of memory into it to speed it up a bit and am going to give it to my sister. Unfortunately, when I use a "memory configurator" on the internet to find out the right memory needed for it, they ask me for the model. On the back of the desktop it says the model number is "FED 800" and it also has "ATXSTF" on the sticker on the back. Im assuming the ATXSTF is the motherboard model.

SO, my question is this... is there anyway i can find out which type of memory i need for this computer?

cheers

dan.

ethernet

ATX is a form factor. Try and find out the model of the motherboard by removing the cover of the case. Very likely to be printed somewhere.

sink

Or look for a model number on one of the ram sticks.

daftdave

look up and run a program called HWINFO32 - it is a hardware analysis tool, it should tell you exactly what type of ram is currently installed in your system , also take note of your motherboard and google it to find out what is the max amount of ram it will support.

unnameduser

did you try cpu-z? www.cpuid.com

Otherwise it really should be on the existing RAM module

Capt'n Midnight

djt0607 wrote: »

Hi,

I bought a desktop about 8 or 9 years ago. Its a gateway 800mhz pentium 3 desktop. It is still running in top condition, however, i am looking to put a bit of memory into it to speed it up a bit and am going to give it to my sister. Unfortunately, when I use a "memory configurator" on the internet to find out the right memory needed for it, they ask me for the model. On the back of the desktop it says the model number is "FED 800" and it also has "ATXSTF" on the sticker on the back. Im assuming the ATXSTF is the motherboard model.

SO, my question is this... is there anyway i can find out which type of memory i need for this computer?

cheers

dan.

expensive memory because they don't make it anymore
be cheaper to find it on ebay

cpuz is the biz

at a guess it's PC100 or PC133
if it's PC100 then not all PC100 will work with certain Intel chipsets and yes you are likely to have one of them

to confirm what cpuz says open the case , you're going to have to do it anyway to fit the ram, to see what is there, and whether it's got two or three slots and what is marked on the case

BKtje

Did you try the memory checker on http://www.crucial.com/ ?

Amalgam

Where are you Dan, near Dublin? .. and what amount of Ram would be ideal for you?

If it is PC100 or PC133, I have a few sticks lying around, I'd have to root them out though..

Bear in mind the motherboard might have a limit on the amount of Ram you can put in, it might be 512 tops, or something odd like 384, 256, or even lower..

What is the model number for the desktop? Does it have any kind of markings?

Donald-Duck

BKtje wrote: »

Did you try the memory checker on http://www.crucial.com/ ?

Seconding this

charlesD

Before using third party sites, I would recommend checking Gateway Support. Using the serial number, you can find the original manuals and specifications. This way you know for sure what the requirements are and how much memory you can use.

They also have an online checker or you can look it up by model. If you can't find it on their site, then go to a third party site, but I used to own a Gateway and was always pleased with their support.

Donald-Duck

charlesD wrote: »

They also have an online checker or you can look it up by model. If you can't find it on their site, then go to a third party site, but I used to own a Gateway and was always pleased with their support.

Unless something has changed in the last month, Gateway have pretty much put themselves out of business...

charlesD

Donald-Duck wrote: »

Unless something has changed in the last month, Gateway have pretty much put themselves out of business...

I didn't know that, I will have to look into it. Irregardless, their site is still up, so going to their site to find documentation would still be my first step.

strjms72

i would open the case and check what's printed on the motherboard and on the ram sticks