Mismatching RAM

blibbax · Dec 25, 2008, 09:22 PM

Hi all,

I've got a motherboard with only one DDR2 channel. Currentley it holds 2 1gb sticks of DDR2-667, the fastest it supports, but not the biggest it supports.

It's probably going to stay this way until I upgrade the hole hog sometime, but I'm being continually tempted by the ultra cheap DDR2 that's flying around at the moment.

So, I've been wondering: between 2x1gb vs. 1gb+2gb vs. 2x2gb the latter is obviously the best, but what about the first two?

I know that in dual channel mode mismatching RAM is bad for your bandwith, but this is single channel, and I can't really find anything conclusive through internet searching.

Any thoughts?

Bolletje · Dec 25, 2008, 09:29 PM

Well, you can buy one 2GB module, then you have 3GB. If your motherboard can't support DC well, that's the only option left.

And because you are using x86 Vista, when you go for 4GB, you can't use it all (~3,2GB only).

Just buy the same brand (Kingston in this case).

blibbax · Dec 25, 2008, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bolletje

Well, you can buy one 2GB module, then you have 3GB. If your motherboard can't support DC well, that's the only option left.

And because you are using x86 Vista, when you go for 4GB, you can't use it all (~3,2GB only).

Just buy the same brand (Kingston in this case).

I could use PAE or (preferably) 64 bit if this was an issue.

I know what I am and am not able to do, I was wondering more in terms of performance when mismatching in single channel.

Lelisevis · Dec 25, 2008, 11:28 PM

I've just made the switch to 2x2gb crucial ballistix tracer red after a year of instability and problems using 4x1gb ocz sticks. It has without a doubt been the best move i've made and only set me back £45.

*i've also just won another 2gb of Ballistix tracer thanks to my favourite website Driverheaven and the good people at Crucial, woohoo. This will be used in a build i'm making for myself after christmas*.

Dec 25, 2008, 09:22 PM	#1
blibbax What does this do? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 4,230 Rep Power: 254 System Specs	Mismatching RAM Hi all, I've got a motherboard with only one DDR2 channel. Currentley it holds 2 1gb sticks of DDR2-667, the fastest it supports, but not the biggest it supports. It's probably going to stay this way until I upgrade the hole hog sometime, but I'm being continually tempted by the ultra cheap DDR2 that's flying around at the moment. So, I've been wondering: between 2x1gb vs. 1gb+2gb vs. 2x2gb the latter is obviously the best, but what about the first two? I know that in dual channel mode mismatching RAM is bad for your bandwith, but this is single channel, and I can't really find anything conclusive through internet searching. Any thoughts? __________________ Donate the spare computing power of your PC to help to cure Alzheimer's, ALS, Huntington's, Parkinson's disease and cancer: Fold for HH!

Dec 25, 2008, 09:29 PM	#2
Bolletje HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,224 Rep Power: 79 System Specs	Re: Mismatching RAM Well, you can buy one 2GB module, then you have 3GB. If your motherboard can't support DC well, that's the only option left. And because you are using x86 Vista, when you go for 4GB, you can't use it all (~3,2GB only). Just buy the same brand (Kingston in this case).

Dec 25, 2008, 11:28 PM	#4
Lelisevis Howlin at the moon Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,663 Rep Power: 0	Re: Mismatching RAM I've just made the switch to 2x2gb crucial ballistix tracer red after a year of instability and problems using 4x1gb ocz sticks. It has without a doubt been the best move i've made and only set me back £45. i've also just won another 2gb of Ballistix tracer thanks to my favourite website Driverheaven and the good people at Crucial, woohoo. This will be used in a build i'm making for myself after christmas.