Description
This item is from the PC Hardware
FAQ, by Willie Lim and Ralph Valentino with numerous
contributions by others. (v1.25).
2.25 Can I use Mac or PS/2 SIMMs in my PC?
Yes, just about all SIMMs are compatible, be they from another
personal computer, a mainframe, or even a laser printer, though are a
few some odd systems out there. There are three significant issues:
speed, parity and number of pins (data width). Speed is obvious,
check the rating, ie: 70ns, to make sure they meet the minimum
requirements of your system. Parity either exists or doesn't exist
and can be identified by an extra bit per byte, ie: 9 bits or 36 bits.
If your system does not require parity, you can still use SIMMs with
parity. If, however, your system does require parity, you can't use
SIMMs without parity. For this case, many PC's have an option to
disable the parity requirement via a jumper or BIOS setting; refer to
your motherboard manual. The final issue is the number of pins on the
SIMM; the two most common are 30 pins (8 or 9 bit SIMMs) and 72 pins
(32 or 36 bit SIMMs); the second is physically larger thus the one can
not be used in the other. A few motherboards have both types of
sockets.
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pc, hardware, faq, frequently asked questions, repair, computer
