RAM HP says 1 type while the BIOS & 2 stores say another........CONFUSED...:-)

Question

First time here, and think this should be very simple but...... I have a desktop HP A708n
w/ 512 ram here's the situation.... Hp says the added ram memory is PC3200 DDR400  333MHz 184 pin...- Best Buy says PC 2700 DDR SDRAM 333MHZ 184 pin and PCWorld says PC2700 DDR SDRAM ... My BIOS say 2700 DDR.........NOthing about SDRAM...
Somebody please advise me which to buy..... Makes no sense that HP would be off on their product.... Ideas very welcome
Just to add this is a "replacement" from a previous LEMON don't know if that's an issue or not...
Jacquie

Answer 1

Welcome,
Jacquie!
Upgrading
RAM confuses many people, so you are not alone. 
I sometimes select RAM by using the Best Buy® website Memory Finder and cross reference
with the manufacturer, just as you have done. 
However I did find corroborating information on HP’s website for your
model A708n.  Listed below are your
specifications and pay special attention to the maximum allowed RAM.  In your case you may add one 512 MB PC2700 to
the existing memory (RAM) in the open slot OR you may replace the existing chip
with one 1 GB PC2700 stick. 
Memory
Component
Attributes
Memory Installed
512 MB (1 x 512)
Maximum allowed
1 GB (2 x 512 MB)
Speed supported
PC2700 MB/sec
Type
184 pin, DDR SDRAM
DIMM slots
Two
Open DIMM slots
One
Now, what
does all this mean?  The information you found
was also technically correct.  We refer
to the speed of RAM in terms of PCxxxx where “x” is a maximum number at which
the chip will perform well.  This is to
imply that some chips may “clock down” or slow down to lower speeds without
much issue.  A PC3200 memory stick may be
usable in a motherboard which only goes as fast as PC2700.  Think of it more like driving behind a
tractor – your car can usually go faster, but you are limited by that big green
thing in front of you. Oh, and to clarify, “DDR RAM” is synonymous with “SDRAM.”  There is a newer type of RAM called “DDR2” for
newer computers which includes speeds above PC3200.  This type of RAM is a whole other topic, but
just remember that DDR2 RAM is NOT compatible with computers that use “DDR.”  Please read the packaging carefully so as not
to accidently confuse the two.  When in
doubt, let Geek Squad® check it out!
Matthew|Community Advocate | Best Buy® Corporate
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