I recently purchased a 2 GB RAM upgrade kit (2×1) for my old Acer Aspire 5570z laptop. The RAM that is currently installed is exactly the same in every way to the RAM I purchased, except for just three things: the new RAM sticks are each 1 GB (2×1 2 GB kit) as opposed to the old ones, which are both 512 MB sticks; the CL on the new sticks are 4, compared to the old ones which are CL 5; the new sticks are DDR2 667 (PC2 5300), and the old ones are DDR2 533 (PC2 4200). I installed the RAM earlier today and the usual signs that the RAM was not compatible (common BSODs, computer becoming unresponsive, random system shutdowns/reboots, etc.). I reinstalled the old RAM sticks and as expected, the problems disappeared. I did some research to double check the compatibility, and the only thing I can see possibly being an issue is the speed. The old RAM is DDR2 533 and the new RAM is DDR2 667. Most sources I checked state that the Aspire 5570z is capable of utilizing DDR 667 (PC2 5300) RAM. Surprisingly the Acer website does not specify whether it can use DDR2 667 or not. Regardless of whether it does support it or not, it is my understanding that the RAM should automatically under clock to an acceptable speed. Could this be an issue with dual channel not under clocking properly? Did I receive bad RAM? Or is there something I am missing entirely?
Here are some links that might be useful:
Data for the new RAM (PDF): http://www.valueram.com/datasheets/KHX5300S2LLK2_2G.pdf
Acer Aspire 5570z Specs: http://acersupport.com/acerpanam/notebook/0000/Acer/Aspire5570Z/Aspire5570Zsp2.shtml
Thanks!
