Adding 3rd 1GB stick

[Wolfcastle]

I have 2 x 1GB in dual channel mode? There are four slots.

I want to add 1GB stick more for a total of 3GB.

If I want the first 2GB to use dual channel, does it matter which slot I put the 3rd 1GB memory stick?

DDR2-667 overclocked to DDR2-800 on Abit IP35-E mobo.

 

[DSF]

Any reason you don't want to just get 2x512MB?

 

[Wolfcastle]

Originally posted by: DSF
Any reason you don't want to just get 2x512MB?

Because I already have the 1GB RAM stick. The 1GB RAM is no cost since I already have it, and 2x512MB would cost me money since I don't have it.

With this clarification, what's your take on adding the 3rd stick?

Thanks.

 

[n7]

Your mobo supports Flex Mode, so it should run asyncronous dual channel with 3 dimms.

Populating slots 1, 2, & 3 would be the normal method.

 

[jaqie]

dual channel would help speed out, I honestly would try to afford a match to that stick to run all in dual channel, but I have not seen n7 wrong yet, so either should work.

 

[Wolfcastle]

Originally posted by: jaqie
dual channel would help speed out, I honestly would try to afford a match to that stick to run all in dual channel, but I have not seen n7 wrong yet, so either should work.

I have another matching brand of 1GB stick for a total of 4 x 1GB of HP (micron) 667 RAM.

I could run all 4, but I had found some potential problems with overclocking with all 4 sticks instead of 2, so I was wondering if 3 would alleviate some of the overclocking.

On another note, if I needed to use my available RAM sticks on a different machine, I might end up with only 3 usable sticks on my current machine anyway, so I didn't want to dilute the issue by allowing ppl to sidestep my original question and suggest 4 sticks when I already know it's a possibility.

Thanks for your helpful responses, btw.

 

[DSF]

By the way, I haven't seen many studies comparing single and dual-channel RAM on Core2Duo systems, but the one or two that I saw found that it didn't make a whole hell of a lot of difference in most applications.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

i'd try putting it in 1,2, and 3

 

[Ratman6161]

Originally posted by: Wolfcastle


I have another matching brand of 1GB stick for a total of 4 x 1GB of HP (micron) 667 RAM.

I could run all 4, but I had found some potential problems with overclocking with all 4 sticks instead of 2, so I was wondering if 3 would alleviate some of the overclocking.

If you have 4 sticks you might as well use all 4. I really doubt you would see any benefit to 3 vs 4. And if you already have 4 you have nothing to loose by giving it a shot.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Originally posted by: Ratman6161

Originally posted by: Wolfcastle


I have another matching brand of 1GB stick for a total of 4 x 1GB of HP (micron) 667 RAM.

I could run all 4, but I had found some potential problems with overclocking with all 4 sticks instead of 2, so I was wondering if 3 would alleviate some of the overclocking.

If you have 4 sticks you might as well use all 4. I really doubt you would see any benefit to 3 vs 4. And if you already have 4 you have nothing to loose by giving it a shot.

I wouldn't even be surprised if running 3 offered more problems than 4...

 

[n7]

Originally posted by: bunnyfubbles

I wouldn't even be surprised if running 3 offered more problems than 4...

Extremely unlikely.

I see a lot of people in general always recommending matching pairs, etc, which i 100% agree is best if possible.

But for those of you who have actually tried 3 dimms , you'd know it doesn't require voodoo magic or anything complicated

I guess no one ever tests out things here :laugh:

I've tried 3 dimms on a few different occasions, mainly for experimental purposes, but it works great on all your newer Intel boards (which the OP has).

I can't speak for AMD or old Intel boards personally.

Anyway, on my DFI which i've had some "fun" with running 4 dimms, i found three dimms to be alot easier to maintain stability actually, & no, this wasn't due to the fourth one being bad or something like that.

Also, i don't know how many prebuilts i've upgraded for clients in which the cheapest easiest route ends up being to add a third dimm.

I haven't personally encountered any issues there either.

Another interesting note is that i've seen a decent number of prebuilts come with 3x1 GB stock, especially on Vista x86 systems where the manufacturer is too scared to go with x64.

Again, no issues.
The performance hit from running asyncrounous dual channel isn't worth getting too excited about either, unless you're a benchmarker.

For most people, especially if running a pro-active OS like Vista, more [slightly slower] RAM will provide a better experience than less [faster] RAM.