RAM question

[killmr]

i've been thinking about putting in another stick of ram in my comp but i had a quick q
the sticks that i have now are 2x512 DDR2 @ 553 i think.....would they be compatible with 1x1GB DDR2 @ 667(forgot the exact speed but its around that).....i've already made sure that the stick would be compatible with the mobo, i just wasn't sure about different speeds of ram together

[camper.]

Re: RAM question

If you have pairs of RAM, it'll run fine, i.e. full DDR mode.

What I mean is you can have 2x1GB + 2x512MB sticks and they will still run in DDR mode. If you have 3 identical sticks (speed doesn't matter), with the same memory capacity, it runs in asynchronous mode which is slightly slower. I think it quits trying to run DDR mode altogether if you are already running async mode and add another different stick.

2x512mb & 2x1Gb will be fine provided their slots match up. For instance, my motherboard pairs slot 1 with slot 3, and slot 2 with slot 4. So I'd have to put one 512MB stick in 1, the other in 3, then fill the other 2 with 1GB sticks.

[jesus]

Re: RAM question

What if I've got 768mb RAM in my current computer (Pentium 4), but wanna put another 512mb from my other computer (pentium 3)? Can I do that, or will it cause problems?

[camper.]

Re: RAM question

It'll run in the slowest of modes. So slow I forgot the name.

[jesus]

Re: RAM question

So better off just keeping 768mb in by itself?

[camper.]

Re: RAM question

How many sticks? It depends on the configuration.

Basically, what you want is 2x matched pairs. They can be any capacity as long as they are paired, i.e. 2 of the same capacity. And all your sticks must be paired for full DDR. I.e. 4 sticks paired = full DDR, 2 sticks paired = full DDR, 3 sticks paired = async DDR, 2 sticks paired + 1 unpaired = unknown - either async or single rate, 2 sticks + 2 unpaired = single rate. Etc, etc.

In other words, 3x256MB = asynchronous mode, 1x512MB + 1x 256MB = single data rate mode.

What you could do is just add the 512mb sticks all at once which should make it run in DDR mode (assuming it's 256MB or 512MB sticks - 4x256 or 2x512 or 2x256+2x512) then add the last stick and check how it changes. I've only used 2 configurations out of those (full DDR and async DDR).

[killmr]

Re: RAM question

awesome, thanks for the quick reply

kingston ram has good quality, right?

otherwise could you reccomend a brand and i'll try to find whats compatible

[jesus]

Re: RAM question

The 512mb in my pentium 3 is old, old RAM. Would it be compatible with the newer 768mb that's in my pentium 4? The p4 has 3x256. I'm not sure if the 512mb is 2x256, or just 1x512. I haven't opened up that computer for a few years.

Btw, sorry killmr for "hijacking" your topic. It's about the same stuff, so I thought I'd ask here rather than make a new thread.

[camper.]

Re: RAM question

awesome, thanks for the quick reply

kingston ram has good quality, right?

otherwise could you reccomend a brand and i'll try to find whats compatible

Kingston, Crucial, OCZ, Corsair, there are actually many good RAM vendors (those are just the ones off the top of my head). I have generic Infineon/Samsung value RAM, mostly because I don't care :|:

Oh, by the way, my memory is vague but Pentium 3 RAM is not compatible with Pentium 4 RAM. Back then it was plain old SDRAM.

[megawhompertoo]

Re: RAM question

The 512mb in my pentium 3 is old, old RAM. Would it be compatible with the newer 768mb that's in my pentium 4?

it very much depends, but the best answer i could give you--without being there actually looking at your memory--is that i highly doubt it.

[killmr]

Re: RAM question

oh dont worry about it,

@ camper

what if i'm not gunna buy a pair of 1GB ram? it would just be 3 sticks(2x512 and 1x1GB) would they function together while getting the boost of the 1GB?

[=98=]

Re: RAM question

If your looking for overclocking memory, try and get some sticks that are made using the Micron D9 chips. They are renowned for their excellent quality. I can post a list of all sticks that contain them if needs be.

[camper.]

Re: RAM question

oh dont worry about it,

@ camper

what if i'm not gunna buy a pair of 1GB ram? it would just be 3 sticks(2x512 and 1x1GB) would they function together while getting the boost of the 1GB?

I'm not sure how that would turn out, but I think it'll go straight to the slowest mode :shock:

[killmr]

Re: RAM question

but it will work?

so what your saying is that, it does matter that i dont have a second 1GB to pair...i can just have 3 sticks?

please correct me if im wrong i dont want to waste a load of money on ram

[camper.]

Re: RAM question

It will work in single rate mode. Basically, you'll have the extra RAM, but it'll also be slower than normal in terms of data transfer rate. So you'll be able to run more programs/higher settings, but it'll be slower loading up.