RAM Query

Darcadian V1 · 20-10-2004, 05:55 PM

Heres the thing, I got 512mb Crucial PC3200 DDR ram and am about to upgrade to a gig.
I noticed alot of people on this site state that they have two different makes installed, and often one might be PC3200 and another PC2700.
Does this matter if both dimms are compatible with the motherboard.
I was told all DDR RAM in the computer should be of the same type

(this wasnt from a reliable source mind you!)

Big B · 20-10-2004, 05:39 PM

It really depends on what CPU you run and if you're overclocking. In your case, if you've got the 400MHz FSB Athlon XP 3000+, then going to PC2700 wouldn't be a good idea as you'd have to run an FSB:Mem ratio less than 1:1, and thus negating the postitive effects to a degree of the extra memory. Now, you could go to PC3500 and not suffer that issue, as it's faster than the slowest stuff necessary to run the 1:1 ratio and have full performance.

Technically, it's a good idea to have the same DDR, but not necessary. I run dual channel on my A7N8X-E Deluxe and IS7-E, with Samsung PC2700 and Kingston PC3200, respectively, in 2x256MB configurations. My file server has three sticks of PC133, one being generic, one being infineon, and one being something else.

While it's not necessary to have the DIMM's certified by (in your case) Abit, it's a really good way to help minimize issues. It also depends on the motherboard. Some motherboard will throw fits with different sticks, but that could be due to the different memory chips used, like if one stick has Samsung chips and the other has Winbond chips.

As cheap as 1GB packs are getting these days, you might just yank what you have now and get a brand-spankin new 1GB kit (2x512MB dual-channel kits to maximize performance) of PC3200...unless you really think you'll be overclocking the bejesus outta your CPU.

Darcadian V1 · 20-10-2004, 07:11 PM

Thats great Cheers.
Thats the most usefull answer about computers anyone has ever given me

20-10-2004, 05:55 PM	#1 (permalink) Top
Darcadian V1 Big Geek Join Date: Oct 2004 Age: 25 Male Posts: 117 My Mood: Cynical Status: Offline My Computer	RAM Query Heres the thing, I got 512mb Crucial PC3200 DDR ram and am about to upgrade to a gig. I noticed alot of people on this site state that they have two different makes installed, and often one might be PC3200 and another PC2700. Does this matter if both dimms are compatible with the motherboard. I was told all DDR RAM in the computer should be of the same type (this wasnt from a reliable source mind you!)

20-10-2004, 05:39 PM	#2 (permalink) Top
Big B HWF Godfather Join Date: Dec 2001 Age: 28 Male Posts: 9,640 Times Helpful: 585 My Mood: Devilish Status: Offline My Computer	It really depends on what CPU you run and if you're overclocking. In your case, if you've got the 400MHz FSB Athlon XP 3000+, then going to PC2700 wouldn't be a good idea as you'd have to run an FSB:Mem ratio less than 1:1, and thus negating the postitive effects to a degree of the extra memory. Now, you could go to PC3500 and not suffer that issue, as it's faster than the slowest stuff necessary to run the 1:1 ratio and have full performance. Technically, it's a good idea to have the same DDR, but not necessary. I run dual channel on my A7N8X-E Deluxe and IS7-E, with Samsung PC2700 and Kingston PC3200, respectively, in 2x256MB configurations. My file server has three sticks of PC133, one being generic, one being infineon, and one being something else. While it's not necessary to have the DIMM's certified by (in your case) Abit, it's a really good way to help minimize issues. It also depends on the motherboard. Some motherboard will throw fits with different sticks, but that could be due to the different memory chips used, like if one stick has Samsung chips and the other has Winbond chips. As cheap as 1GB packs are getting these days, you might just yank what you have now and get a brand-spankin new 1GB kit (2x512MB dual-channel kits to maximize performance) of PC3200...unless you really think you'll be overclocking the bejesus outta your CPU. __________________ Hardware Forums\|HWF Rules\|My DVD's\|PSU FAQ\|HWF Folding Team\|2CPU

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20-10-2004, 07:11 PM	#3 (permalink) Top
Darcadian V1 Big Geek Join Date: Oct 2004 Age: 25 Male Posts: 117 My Mood: Cynical Status: Offline My Computer	Thats great Cheers. Thats the most usefull answer about computers anyone has ever given me

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