What are the consequences of installing DDR3 RAM on a motherboard that only supports DDR2 RAM?

Question

Possible Duplicate:
Is a DDR3 MB compatible with DDR2 RAM?
would ddr2 memory work in a motherboard with ddr3 standard?

I just ran into something really weird.

My computer has DDR3 RAM. And the website from my mobo says it only supports DDR2. (I find this out, 2 years after buying the PC)

What are the consequences of this?

And how is this even possible? I thought DDR3 ram had a different shape from DDR2 ram?

Motherboard specs:

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RAM specs:

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They are shaped/keyed differently. :) How about some model numbers and such so we know what MB/RAM you are talking about? Perhaps the manual has a typo (it wouldn't be the first one)? See Is a DDR3 MB compatible with DDR2 RAM? for good info. — Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007, Nov 26 '11 at 20:54
Can you confirm (with an edit) that you are sure you are looking at the right motherboard specs? — vcsjones, Nov 26 '11 at 21:07
Are you sure you the exactly right MB? What does the Mainboard tab of CPU-Z show? — shf301, Nov 26 '11 at 21:09
That's not right, I think you think you have a different motherboard then you actually do :). What does CPU-Z show under the "Mainboard" tab? — Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007, Nov 26 '11 at 21:11
It's possible, but would probably require a pair of cutters, hacksaw, glue and a trip to get some more RAM and a new motherboard. Nope, can't actually be done - one part of the provided info is not right. — Linker3000, Nov 26 '11 at 21:21
Seems like I found the mistake. I missed the little T in the mobo's name... that one does support DDR3. — Simon Verbeke, Nov 26 '11 at 21:24

score 9 · Accepted Answer · edited Nov 27 '11 at 02:35

9

Your motherboard supports DDR3 RAM. See the manufacturer's page for the GA-MA790XT-UD4P. Your previous link was to the GA-MA790X-UD4P. Note the missing T in the second model number.

edited Nov 27 '11 at 02:35

jprete

338

answered Nov 26 '11 at 21:23

shf301

7,950

What are the consequences of installing DDR3 RAM on a motherboard that only supports DDR2 RAM?

1 Answers1