What is the difference between DDR 4200 and DDR2 4200S RAM ?

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Level 1

95 points

What is the difference between DDR 4200 and DDR2 4200S RAM ?

Hello,
I am almost despairing: I have a late 2005 15" Powerbook with 512 MB original Apple RAM which shows up as DDR2 4200S-444 RAM.
My Apple dealer has sold me two 1 GB RAM modules, one from APlus, one from Nanya, and both of them freeze up my Powerbook.
According to the Nanya product code their RAM is DDR2 4200.

What is the difference to 4200S ?

This problem has vexed me now for 2 months.
Thanks for all your help.

Powerbook 15" HiRes, Mac OS X (10.4.4)

Posted on Feb 17, 2006 5:05 AM

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Answer 1

Feb 17, 2006 11:06 AM in response to Robert Ros

Go here:

http://developer.apple.com/qa/qa2001/qa1344.html

Or turn off "Automatic" on your energy saver for processor speed.

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Answer 2

Robert Ros Author

Level 1

95 points

Feb 18, 2006 3:31 AM in response to SuperSizeIt

Hi, sorry I meant to say the difference between DDR2-4200 and DDR2-4200S.
Original Apple RAM for the new HiRes Powerbook is DDR2-4200S-444.

Is there a crucial difference which causes these new HiRes Powerbooks with DDR2-4200 RAM to freeze ?

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Answer 3

Maxit

Level 4

3,649 points

Feb 18, 2006 10:37 AM in response to Robert Ros

Robert, I bought and installed a 1 GB RAM DDR2-4200 from Crucial, and it shows up in System Profiler with Speed of PC2-4200S-444. So my guess is, no difference. Also, it works fine (no freezes).

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Answer 4

Feb 18, 2006 11:33 AM in response to Maxit

Not all RAM works with the Powerbook. Different RAMs handle power management differently, so even though a chip has a notionally correct spec, it may not work.

For example, Kingston RAM will work, but a similar spec chip from the Kingston Value Ram range will not.

Apple supply Samsung or Hynix with their systems and after, so you know these will definitley have the correct attributes. Others here use Crucial, Kingston and Ramjet with success. I have not heard of the manufacturers you mention.

The correct Samsung part number is M470T2953CZ3-CD5 you can find it for about $90 on ebay, also www.ewiz.com and www.newegg.com are worth a try.

Good luck.

PS - It is also possible that your ram will work fine, but that you have a bad stick - not uncommon given the complexity of ram manufacturing. Try taking one out and seeing if that solves your problem, or run the Apple Harware Test from your install cd. Hoefully your ram cam with a lifetime warranty (the Samsung RAM does).

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