dual channel

[Merlin]

Ok so I have four slots on my MB. I only have two sticks of 1Gig each. As long as I select the same dual channel kit I have now can I buy two more 1 Gig sticks for a total of 4 Gig and still be in two channel or do I have to scrap what I have a get a 2X2 set??

[skier]

doesn't really even matter what brand you use, just make sure its the same specs as far as timings and voltage primarily

[Merlin]

Ok so I was looking around in my "stuff" and I found a 2 GIG stick of hynix pc 5300U. I know its a bit slower than my PC2 6400 but wouln't 4 gig at 5300 be bettert han 2 at 6400 ? can I slot it and gett he 4 gig or will the speed difference cancel out some of it?

[DragonFury]

performance wise no, with Windows operations depends on your applications. if you needing to purchase memory to make 4gig's it would be best to get 2 sticks of 1 gig set of 6400

[Merlin]

I know the ideal would be to buy 2 more Gig that matches what I have now but that would cost $60. In several months when I upgrade to a new MB and new Ram that $60 would be wasted. If I could get by adding the one stick of 2 gig 5300 for a while that would save me the $60. If I have 2 sticks of PC2 6400 1gig each and I add one 2 gig stick of PC2 5300 does that equal 4 gig of PC2 5300? If yes wouldn't 4 gig of PC2 5300 be better short term than 2 gig of PC2 6400. I know I could just slot it and find out but a written answer would save me the trouble.

[DragonFury]

the memory be off balanced running with three sticks. try it out and see how it works for you. 4 gigs of memory will give you a bit more breathing room on your windows tasks. just make sure the 2 1 gig sticks are paired up in dual channel mode.

[Velo:Sity]

I have been running one 1x2GB in one channel and 2x1GB in second channel for a while now and haven't noticed any problems. I even thought about making it 2+1GB in both channels, but decided I will change platform as my next upgrade.

[Merlin]

Thank you. I will slot it and see what i get.

[Merlin]

I ran 3Dmark 06 and got a 10128 with my current setup. I slotted the 2 gig stick making my total 4 gig on one channel and the score dropped to 9897. Not a large drop but it does support the less in Dual channel is better than more in single. It just now occured to me , I doubled the total ram and halved the channels thus giving me the exact same data trannsfer rate...the reduction must have been due to the frequency reduction from slotting a slower stick. So I would need 8 gig in single channel to match 4 gig in dual.

[DragonFury]

your performance drop was from the drop in memory speed. the next question you need to ask is that little performance hit worth it?

[Merlin]

I figured the drop was from speed. Considering the drop in 3dmark does that not also mean that there would be zero benefit from addingt he extra 2 gig?? My hunch is yes zero benefit.

[DragonFury]

try other programs games etc. not necessarily benchmarks, and see how it handles itself. that will determine the real outcome of your memory situation.

[Merlin]

I see that new egg has a corsair value select kit 2x2gig for $59 and they also have a 2x1 gig XMS 2 for $54 which matches what I have now. Which is better to have 4 X 1 gig of XMS 2 or to have 2X2 gig of value select? the price difference is very small. LAstly can off sized DIMMs rum in dual channel...one 2 gig stick and one 1 gig stick?

[Darkstar]

I would say go with XMS.

[Sparky]

XMS here as well. Never had any trouble with it.

[DragonFury]

LAstly can off sized DIMMs rum in dual channel...one 2 gig stick and one 1 gig stick?

it is one of them try it and see how it turns out for ya. 1 of three things will happen, it will work with no issues, will not work, or work and give you problems. You just got to love computers and their uncertainty. I tried it once or twice myself and the outcome was rather interesting.

oh also praying to the gods of overclock may help out.

[DJ Tucker]

definatly go with xms and make sure you pick pc6400