4x512 or 2x1gb (DDR 400)

[scoobyx13x]

I need to upgrade from 1gb (2x512) on a system I am running (939 x2 3800 on Abit AN8 NF4).

Is there any reason why I shouldn't get another set of 1gb (2x512) and put it in there for a total of 4x512, using all four memory banks? I seem to recall there used to be issues doing this, but can't recall what they are or if they even pertain to this configuration.

My other choice is to pull a single 1gb stick I have running in another machine (Corsair VS1GB400C3), and buy another Corsair VS1GB400C3 to mate with it, but I am concerned that they will run OK in dual channel. They would be the same part numbers, but purchased 1.5 years apart... so I don't know if that would be a problem; I see most dual channel memory sold as matched pairs.

Any advice?

 

[nefariouscaine]

What motherboard - chipset are you using. The main reason to *NOT* use 4 sticks on a 939 platform is the inability to use T1 memory settings. The performance is significant for AMD set ups and using 2 x 1 gig sticks would allow you to use T1 settings. Other than that you shouldn't have an issue. You have 2 channels and so long as you have the pairs paired up on their own separate channel you would still be in dual channel no problem - I've run 2 kits of totally different ram in dual channel before too.

*EDIT*
Didn't fully see about the already having 1 - 1 gig stick. But there isn't a 100% that will work with another one bought separately. Should but nothing for sure. And if you're just say using this for an HTPC you shouldn't really notice that much of a difference but if you're looking to game then you might want to invest in 2 gig sticks

 

[Yellowbeard]

Originally posted by: scoobyx13x
I need to upgrade from 1gb (2x512) on a system I am running (939 x2 3800 on Abit AN8 NF4).

Is there any reason why I shouldn't get another set of 1gb (2x512) and put it in there for a total of 4x512, using all four memory banks? I seem to recall there used to be issues doing this, but can't recall what they are or if they even pertain to this configuration.

My other choice is to pull a single 1gb stick I have running in another machine (Corsair VS1GB400C3), and buy another Corsair VS1GB400C3 to mate with it, but I am concerned that they will run OK in dual channel. They would be the same part numbers, but purchased 1.5 years apart... so I don't know if that would be a problem; I see most dual channel memory sold as matched pairs.

Any advice?

There is no guarantee that 2 sets as you have described will run together. Also, 2 DIMM kits are better on 939 boards from what I have seen. I'd suggest a 2 x 1gb if you can.

 

[hans007]

the 1t thing i dont think is THAT big an issue. it also completely depends on some otherfactors.

some steppings of the 939 chips can support 4 dimms in 1t depending on how the dimms are.

for example most 1gb sticks are double sided. 4 512mb single sided sticks would be exactly the same and would also probably work in 1T. so you should check what kind of dimms you already have also.