Any drawback to 3 sticks of RAM as opposed to 2?

magnux

Platinum Member
Sep 12, 2002
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Simple question. I have 1x512MB stick of RAM. The goal is to reach 1GB. Being as finding another 1x512MB of matching RAM has proven itself impossible (XMS-3500C2PT v1.1), would there be any drawback to me using (2x256 XMS-3500C2PT v1.1) to achieve 1GB? I will be mildly overclocking, if that's a factor.

edit: This is on a DFI nForce2 Ultra Infinity, if that matters..
 

mechBgon

Super Moderator<br>Elite Member
Oct 31, 1999
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No huge drawbacks there since it's nForce2 and you're not looking for bleeding-edge overclockability (more modules may reduce peak OC a bit). Remember that with nForce2, you don't need to find an exact match for your existing 512MB module, so if you want to get just one new module, grab the current 512MB PC3500 model and there you go :) If this were an Intel i865PE/G or i875P board, then you would want pairs of modules, and also for the modules to at least match in their logical addressing scheme, or you'd lose dual-channel operation.
 

magnux

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Sep 12, 2002
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Thing is, there are no 'current' Corsair PC3500 modules. And if there were, they wouldn't be BH-5 to match my current one. :)

The 2x256 sticks I am looking at ARE BH-5, and they match my stick exactly (except they are 256MB, obviously).
 

mechBgon

Super Moderator<br>Elite Member
Oct 31, 1999
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Barring hardcore overclocking situations, there is no particular need to have them match for nForce2. But there's no harm in them matching, either, so if that's your preference, it looks like you've got a good plan in place :)