Combining different latency memory

[socalcaz]

I am a little confused about mixing memory and how it affects performance.

I have 2 sticks of this memory:

Corsair XMS 512mb (latency 2-2-2-6)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145522

I would like to upgrade to 2 gb. Someone suggested to me that I get rid of what I have now and purchase 2 x 1gb sticks. So I am thinking of purchasing the following memory:
Corsair XMS 1gb (latency 2-3-3-6)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145574

Question: Will the 2 x 1gb sticks provide better performance by themselves or when combined with the 2 X 512mb sticks I have now?

Thank you in advance.

[MWHRowdee]

Re: Combining different latency memory

Not neccesarily, just make sure u use the same memory. It will always perform at the slowest timing if you mix it. XMS is good memory and its cheap rite now. If you are running in dual mode...absolutly use matched memory. Since you already have 2 512 sticks...get 2 more 512 sticks...if you have 4 slots.

[Flanker]

Re: Combining different latency memory

Combining different latency memory won't affect you. The motherboard will set all the sticks to the same latency. The problem could come from one or more of you RAM sticks not being able to support the latency that the others are running on.

Other than that, 4x512MB makes you run at 2T timings which take about 15MHz off the Memory speed. 2x1GB is slightly faster then. You probably won't notice the difference though.

[socalcaz]

Re: Combining different latency memory

Not neccesarily, just make sure u use the same memory. It will always perform at the slowest timing if you mix it. XMS is good memory and its cheap rite now. If you are running in dual mode...absolutly use matched memory. Since you already have 2 512 sticks...get 2 more 512 sticks...if you have 4 slots.

I have four slots and I was going to get more of the same memory that I have now however the 2 X 1gb XMS sticks at 2-3-3-6 are $209 and the 2 X 512mb sticks at 2-2-2-6 (that match what I have now) are $198.

The 2 X 1gb give me the option of upgrading to 4 X 1gb in the future (obviously).

So it seems to me the wise choice would be to go with the 2 X 1gb.

I just wondering if I shouldn't even bother with putting the old 2 X 512mb in when I get my 2 X 1gb.