512 more RAM to complement existing stuff

[jorwex]

I've got 512 mb (2x 256) of corsair pc3200 low latency ram..i think the timings are 2 3 2 6. i recomended them to a friend of mine who also picked em up. we both decided that we want 512mb MORE ram to bring us each to a gig, and for good measure were gonna get the same line of memory. the 2x 512 corsair LL ram is 40 bucks more (for each of us) than the next model down stuff (3200C2 line). the timings on these are 2-3-3-6* with the astrix on the site pointing to a message that says "* These parts support 2-3-3-6 latency on Intel platforms, and 2.5-3-3-6 latency on AMD platforms."

i have an a7n8x-e deluxe (amd) and he has a p4 based asus board too (i think p4c800). im pretty sure i could run the new stuff at 2 3 2 6 also, right? or at least 2 3 3 6.

so i guess what i'm asking is, is this the best scenario, keeping our dual channel setups intact? and could i do with the slightly crappier ram at my current timings--or do i even have to to keep dual channel going?

thanks alot, and sorry for the sorta rambling post--thought about posting here right before i crashed for the nite.

thanks!

 

[SrGuapo]

With the AMD system, it won't really matter if you run cas 2 or cas 2.5. the performance diffirence will be negligible. On the P4, however, I have no idea what sort of performance hit there will be (P4s are very memory starved).

Even if it did lower you timings to 2.5-3-3-6, there won't be any huge performance hit. You would likely se an overall increase in gaming due to the simple fact that you have twice as much RAM.

 

[Fern]

So, you both have 2 x 256 amd want to add another (third) stick of 512MB?

You'll be fine in DC with the 512stick in DIMM slot 3 and the other two in #2 and #3 (balanced DC with 512MB vs 512MB).

I am raising the question as to whether the 3 sticks will work fine in DC for a P4 (your friend). I dont do Intel these days, so don't know. But wouldn't want your friend to have trouble.

Fern