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backward compatibility
Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2002 5:15 pm
by humanflyz
Hello,
I am considering to buy a new computer. I am looking at a motherboard that supports DDR 400, but I am wondering if DDR 333 RAM will work on the new motherboard. Is it backward compatible? Also, is AGP 8X backward compatible also? Thanks.
Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2002 5:28 pm
by Mr Flibble
Simple answer: yes and yes.
DDR333 and DDR400 are asynchronous memory technologies, and the speed is determined by the system BIOS based on the memory modules used and should support 266/333/400. If you put a DDR400 memory module in, the system will detect this and run at DDR400 specifications. This may require a selection for memory speed in the BIOS, but it depends on the individual motherboard model.
AGP 8x will also support cards designed around AGP2x and 4x specifications, so you won't have to but a new video card if you get a motherboard with 8x AGP.
Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2002 11:17 pm
by humanflyz
thanks, that was very helpful.
Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2002 4:28 am
by Mr Sleep
One thing to be weary of in the motherboard you buy is that there might be a little piece of plastic in the AGP port which will probably look pointless as it did to me. However upon removal and it being thrown away I happen to read up on it in the manual. Apparently it was in there so the Non-AGP Pro card would sit properly in the slot. Ever since then my card hasn't quite sat properly in its slot.