Mixing Memory

Dozer · Jun 15, 2005, 06:35 PM

I know I have seen this question asked before but could anyone tell me if I can mix memory types? I currently have a set of dual channel, 256 +256, modules made by Buffalo. There is a sale at a local store on a Corsair XMS ProSeries 512MB PC3200 DDR DIMM and I would like to add it to my system for a total of 1GB. Do you know what, if any, problems I may have?

Thanks for your help,
Don

Lowfat · Jun 15, 2005, 08:02 PM

Some people have run with different memory modules fine while others have serious stablility problems. Usually they will be fine, however they will run the speed of the slower ram.

Dozer · Jun 15, 2005, 09:09 PM

Thanks for the reply. I think I am going to give it a try. I would assume that the Corsair memory would run faster and I might not get the benefits of the dual channel I already have. However, I think doubling my memory would still be an avantage.

Thanks again,
Don

Necrosis · Jun 15, 2005, 11:17 PM

What motherboard do you have any way?

Dozer · Jun 15, 2005, 11:27 PM

It is made by Gigabyte but I am at work and don't remember the model number. I have an XP 2500 Barton core processor and the board has three memory slots.

ReDGuiTaR · Jun 16, 2005, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dozer

Thanks for the reply. I think I am going to give it a try. I would assume that the Corsair memory would run faster and I might not get the benefits of the dual channel I already have. However, I think doubling my memory would still be an avantage.

Thanks again,
Don

yup you will loose dual channel .. why not buy 2 x 512MB and sell your old one ?

Zelig · Jun 16, 2005, 12:58 AM

And you can forget about overclocking with mixed memory, it's a horrible pain.

Dozer · Jun 16, 2005, 02:07 AM

So...are you saying that adding the 512 dimm could actualy slow my system down?

Lowfat · Jun 16, 2005, 08:25 AM

yes.

Dozer · Jun 16, 2005, 02:53 PM

Thanks everyone for the information. Looks like it makes sense to wait and get a 1GB kit instead of mixing modules.

The_Neon_Cowboy · Jun 16, 2005, 03:07 PM

buy better sell what you have

Jun 15, 2005, 06:35 PM	#1
Dozer DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Northwest Posts: 63 Rep Power: 0	Mixing Memory I know I have seen this question asked before but could anyone tell me if I can mix memory types? I currently have a set of dual channel, 256 +256, modules made by Buffalo. There is a sale at a local store on a Corsair XMS ProSeries 512MB PC3200 DDR DIMM and I would like to add it to my system for a total of 1GB. Do you know what, if any, problems I may have? Thanks for your help, Don

Jun 15, 2005, 08:02 PM	#2
Lowfat Xtreme Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Grande Prairie, AB, Can Posts: 4,254 Rep Power: 101	Some people have run with different memory modules fine while others have serious stablility problems. Usually they will be fine, however they will run the speed of the slower ram. __________________

Jun 16, 2005, 12:58 AM	#7
Zelig HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 3,187 Rep Power: 71 System Specs	And you can forget about overclocking with mixed memory, it's a horrible pain. __________________ --

Jun 16, 2005, 08:25 AM	#9
Lowfat Xtreme Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Grande Prairie, AB, Can Posts: 4,254 Rep Power: 101	yes. __________________

Jun 16, 2005, 03:07 PM	#11
The_Neon_Cowboy HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 16,009 Rep Power: 92 System Specs	buy better sell what you have __________________

Jun 15, 2005, 09:09 PM	Thread Starter #3
Dozer DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Northwest Posts: 63 Rep Power: 0	Thanks for the reply. I think I am going to give it a try. I would assume that the Corsair memory would run faster and I might not get the benefits of the dual channel I already have. However, I think doubling my memory would still be an avantage. Thanks again, Don

Jun 15, 2005, 11:17 PM	#4
Necrosis HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 8,838 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	What motherboard do you have any way?

Jun 15, 2005, 11:27 PM	Thread Starter #5
Dozer DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Northwest Posts: 63 Rep Power: 0	It is made by Gigabyte but I am at work and don't remember the model number. I have an XP 2500 Barton core processor and the board has three memory slots.

Jun 16, 2005, 02:07 AM	Thread Starter #8
Dozer DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Northwest Posts: 63 Rep Power: 0	So...are you saying that adding the 512 dimm could actualy slow my system down?

Jun 16, 2005, 02:53 PM	Thread Starter #10
Dozer DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Northwest Posts: 63 Rep Power: 0	Thanks everyone for the information. Looks like it makes sense to wait and get a 1GB kit instead of mixing modules.