Changing 4GB to 5GB

[slimjim2005]

Currently have 4x1GB want to change to 3x1GB + 1x2GB. Can I do this or will something get messed up?

 

[Quiksilver]

What's the reason behind it?

 

[slimjim2005]

The reason is because I have a 2GB DDR2 stick laying around that I could be utilizing. Just wondering if it's safe to do.

 

[redlinez33]

Cant remember exactly how it works still, but wouldnt this disable dual channel for 2 of the sticks? Maybe for all 4? I dont think its worth it....

 

[CoinOperatedBoy]

Right -- if this works at all, it definitely won't allow you to run dual channel. You will be gimping your performance if you do this. Unless they're the same speed, same timings, same voltage requirements, I'm not convinced it would even boot. Leave it as-is or get a second 2GB stick to match your other one and install them as a pair.

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

Why not just try and see?

 

[BlueAcolyte]

Sure you can! Report back with results.

 

[BladeVenom]

Do a benchmark before and after. Your motherboard supports more than 4GB, correct? Even so I'm betting you lose a little bit of performance. What are you doing now that you need more than 4GB of memory?

 

[NXIL]

Hey Slim,

you using a 32 or 64 bit OS? Because if it's 32 bit, soon you will be asking where the extra RAM went.

Also, what motherboard?

From reading many posts around here:

2 x 2GB is best.

4 x 1GB is good because you have a lot of ram, but sometimes is stressful for northbridge/on chip memory controllers.

3 x 1GB + 2GB? Have not seen that yet. If you have an nForce northbridge, probably won't work. As someone mentioned, all memory banks have to be set to the same timings, probably manually, since there is a good chance the timings programmed internally won't match up.

Oh, and what voltage do all these mem sticks need?

GL

NXIL

 

[n7]

Most likely will be fine on a modern Intel chipset, & though i can't recall which chipset, i've seen it done on an AMD-based system before as well.

I hope you update us with the results.

 

[aka1nas]

An extra 2GB DDR2 stick is under $20 if you want to keep things running in dual channel

 

[Golgatha]

I'd recommend buying a 2x2GB kit and selling the spare 2GB + 2x1GB sticks you'll have left over. I'd be surprised if you're out more than $20. Also, are you using a 64bit OS?

 

[leadpaint]

I've seen 5 GB computers for sale at sam's club, I guess it works. (Stupid OEMs, whose idea was it to sell 3 and 5 GB configurations?

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: leadpaint
I've seen 5 GB computers for sale at sam's club, I guess it works. (Stupid OEMs, whose idea was it to sell 3 and 5 GB configurations?

It was likely the idea of some marketing person who knows that the average Joe will buy something that he perceives better. Not knowing about stuff like dual-channel, the average Joe instead relies on bigger numbers as an indicator of "better." So, Joe's looking at two computers that are otherwise identical. He will:

#1 Go with the brand he recognizes more.
- or -
#2 Go with the product that has higher numbers of... something. So, two otherwise identical systems for identical prices. One has 4GB RAM and one has 5GB RAM. 5 > 4, so Joe buys the one with 5GB.

 

[n7]

And considering how small of a hit you take going from dual channel to dual channel in Flex Mode, it's likely worth having the 5 GB over 4 GB too.