RAM question

foxeymoxey

Hi everyone,

Just a quick one, I am upgrading the memory on my PC.

Currently I have one module installed (DDR333 PC2700 256Mb).

I have one slot free on my motherboard, I know that this memory is supposed to run best when used in matched pairs.

So should I get a second 256Mb module to create a matched pair or just go for a 512Mb one and mix it with the existing 256Mb?

Thanks in advance

Mark_LJ

What motherboard?

Crucial.com have a very good service and (if you know what kit you've got it'll find the upgrade for you). I've never had any problems with any of their ram.

foxeymoxey

I'm not sure exactly what motherboard it is, its built into my small form factor pc. (Aopen XC Cube EZ18)

Crucial.com tells you which memory is compatible with your system.

I already know which memory will work, I just wondered if anyone can tell me how much better it is to use matched pairs rather than mixing them up?

If it is far superior to use matched pairs then I will just get a second 256Mb stick, if not then I'll get a 512Mb one to take me up to 768Mb total RAM.

Jarlawuk

What do you use your pc for mainly? Cause if it was for gaming I'd remove the 256 in favour for a 1gb stick of ram since the prices for ram are fairly low anyway.

T4i

Using the same modules gives you better latencies. If your not too bothered about dropping some benchmark points mixing them is fine.

If you mix and match RAM it/they will run using the slowest performance RAM values (CAS, T-RAS etc etc).

foxeymoxey

I dont use it for gaming, the only real things I use it for are downloading (lots) and converting audio/video.

I'm not familiar with terms like CAS or T-RAS, but it sounds like I will be fine mix & matching?

akmodi

HI Foxey,

The system that you have is a Nforce2 IGP motherboard. I would buy a stick of PC3200 512 memory from Crucial and you should be OK. you only need PC2700 memory -- but buy the PC3200 -- as it will run at PC2700 speeds

John_Gray

A good program to tell you about the characteristics of the RAM you have is CPU-Z from CPUID, a 359 KB download. Look at the SPD tab, mainly...

John

MajorR

foxeymoxey wrote:

I already know which memory will work, I just wondered if anyone can tell me how much better it is to use matched pairs rather than mixing them up?

If it is far superior to use matched pairs then I will just get a second 256Mb stick, if not then I'll get a 512Mb one to take me up to 768Mb total RAM.

You're talking about using the memory as dual-channel, and extending the band width, for which you need 2 memory chips the same. In other words do you want Option1 (2x256)512Mb runing at 666MhZ or Option2 (256+512)768Mb running at 333MhZ. Well what is your CPU running at because nothing is going to run faster than that, if the FSB is only 400MhZ you're not going to get the benefit of the dual channel.
But to answer your question, option 1 would be the best IMO because it is working at double the speed if the FSB of the motherboard allowed it to, option 2 would be able to hold more data but only fetch and use it at half the speed.

T4i

How do you mean converting audio/video?

If you are converting audio/video then good quality RAM is a good idea. You may find that when you have completed converting audio/video your P.C runs slow until a reboot, good RAM will sort this out, if you are running XP i'd say 512mb is ok, 1gig is better

2gig is even better.....and so on.

Mark_LJ

Are you using the onboard graphics?

The only problem I found with the nForce2 boards with the integrated graphics is that they ran far better in 3d applications with the ram working in dual channel i.e. 2x256 sticks. I had maybe 5 or 6 of them and they were all the same. If you have a separate graphics card in there then dual channel makes next to no difference and you can split the ram in any configuration you want.