Adding 2 more sticks of RAM - need advice

[YelloPL]

Hi peps, I have a quesiton. I am thinking about upgrading my RAM. Currently I have 2*512 non-ECC Kingston 400Mhz, CL 3, running in Dual mode. I want to add 1 more gig and I found that the easiest (and cheapest) way would be to get 2 more sticks of 512MB that would also run in Dual mode.

After checking available solutions, I found out that I can get 2 sticks optimised for Dual from Kingston (the same as my current ones), GeIL (CL 2.5) or Twinmos (again CL 2.5). My question is: should I rather go for Kingston, so that I have 4 sticks from the same maker, thus probably reducing probability of any issues or should I chose GeIL or Twinmos for their better CL.

The price is comparable here, so it's not an issue, but GeIL and Twinmos have better CL, but I am not sure if it matters with old sticks being CL3. Currently I am more into Kingston, as I never had problems with them and having all sticks from the same maker seems to be a good solution.

[DrunkenPirate]

Re: Adding 2 more sticks of RAM - need advice

It will all run the same speed, typically the speed of the slowest module.

[lcplsickoll]

Re: Adding 2 more sticks of RAM - need advice

If you want them to run in Dual Channel effectively I highly recommend you get the exact same modules you currently have. This will ensure compatibility

[YelloPL]

Re: Adding 2 more sticks of RAM - need advice

Thanks! I guess I am gonna go for the Kingstons :) They will cost me about 100 Euro, if I am lucky.

I have one more lame question: if I am not sure about the CL of my current sticks how can I check that?

[lcplsickoll]

Re: Adding 2 more sticks of RAM - need advice

Open up the case and pull out a module. Copy down the part/model numbers and check out Kingston's site. That's the best and only way to do it.

[NoSoup4You]

Re: Adding 2 more sticks of RAM - need advice

Yup, get Kingston again. If you don't it could become a headache in the future and end up costing you more (RMA = shipping it back = money).